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Overhead shot of creamy pancetta cauliflower pasta served on a plate with a fork.

Creamy Pancetta Cauliflower Pasta

This Creamy Pancetta Cauliflower Pasta delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Ready in just 30 minutes, it transforms cauliflower into a silky sauce, and is topped with crispy pancetta for a salty crunch! It's a comfort dish that feels indulgent while secretly incorporating more vegetables.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients
  

  • 4-6 oz spaghetti
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 4 oz pancetta diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet, add the diced pancetta and cook for 3–4 minutes, until crispy. Remove pancetta from the pan. 
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets, the garlic clove and cook for about 5 minutes until tender. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cauliflower and garlic to a blender or food processor.
  3. In the same pot, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
  4. Blend cauliflower with olive oil and some pasta water as needed to reach a creamy consistency.
  5. Reduce the heat to low and stir the blended cauliflower sauce into the skillet with the pancetta. Add parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper. 
  6. Toss in the drained spaghetti, stirring to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more reserved pasta water.
  7. Divide between plates and garnish with extra Parmesan, and black pepper. 

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken considerably when chilled; loosen with a splash of water or broth when reheating on low heat.

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