4.6 from 15 votes
Creamy cauliflower pasta with bacon
We love this creamy cauliflower pasta recipe served with crispy bacon and fried sage leaves. It's a delicious, easy weeknight dinner but is elevated enough to serve at a dinner party or when you want to impress.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 4
Calories: 590 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For the creamy cauliflower pasta sauce
- 6 cups cauliflower (2 small heads)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup chicken broth / chicken stock
- 1 cup milk/cream
For the pasta
- 250 g (½lb) Bacon chopped
- 3 garlic cloves crushed
- ½ tsp dried sage
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 500 g (1lb) rigatoni pasta
- fried sage leaves to serve (optional)
Instructions
- To prepare the cauliflower, slice the florets off the heads and chop the stalks.
- Place the cauliflower in a roasting pan or baking dish then drizzle with olive oil and season with salt.
- Place in an oven that has been pre-heated to 200°C/390°F and roast for 20-30 minutes until the cauliflower is fork tender and starting to caramelize.
- Remove the cauliflower from the oven then transfer to a blender or food processor. Add the broth/stock and milk or cream. Blend until smooth.
- In a large skillet or deep pan, fry the bacon until crisp. Remove excess bacon grease, leaving 1-2tbsp in the pan.
- Add the garlic and dried sage and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant then pour in the creamy cauliflower sauce.
- If too thick, add a splash of milk or broth. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes then add the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water then drain the pasta.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cauliflower sauce along with a few tablespoons of pasta water.
- Toss to coat the pasta in the sauce then serve with fried sage leaves.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
590kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
92g
(31%)
Protein
30g
(60%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Cholesterol
34mg
(11%)
Sodium
1371mg
(57%)
Potassium
946mg
(27%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
119IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
73mg
(81%)
Calcium
236mg
(24%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 590
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 590kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 92g | 31% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 34mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 1371mg | 57% |
| Potassium | 946mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 119IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 73mg | 81% |
| Calcium | 236mg | 24% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.