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Spring Green Cauliflower Cream Fettuccine

Green Cauliflower Cream Fettuccine is bright and creamy and perfect for Spring. With Spinach blended into the sauce and bites of Asparagus, you get the creaminess and the texture all in one fabulous dish. Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegetarian.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Cauliflower florets
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 teaspoon for spinach, 1 for asparagus
  • 1.5 teaspoon Vegetable Base
  • ½ teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper or to Taste
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 cups Baby Spinach Leaves
  • 8 oz Wide Rice Noodles
  • 8 oz Asparagus

Instructions

Prep Ahead

  1. Steam the cauliflower.  Place the cauliflower florets in a medium sauce pot and fill with water to about ⅓ as high as the florets.  No need to cover with water, as we are steaming.  Cover and turn the stove to medium heat.  Water should come up to a boil and cook with cover on for 8-10 minutes.  Turn off heat and let sit for another few minutes.
  2. While the cauliflower is cooking, mince 1 clove garlic and add to a preheated pan with 2 cups baby spinach leaves, and 1 teaspoon olive oil.  Saute until the spinach is wilted down, but still a bright green color.  Remove from the heat and set aside until ready to add to the blender.

  3. Test the florets with a fork to make sure they are fall-apart tender.  Then strain out the water and transfer to a blender.  Add the garlic, 1 cup water, and 1.5 teaspoon of Vegetable Base. I like to use Better than Bouillon Vegetable Base.  Blend until smooth.

  4. Add the spinach and pulse until incorporated and starting to turn the sauce green, but so you can still see pieces of the spinach.

  5. Add ½ teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper and test to see if additional salt is needed.  The vegetable base will add a salty flavor, so it may not be required.

Cook & Put it All Together!

  1. Make the Wide Rice Noodles in a very large pot for lots of room, as rice noodles are starchy and can stick together if the pot is too small.  When you add the noodles to the boiling water, stir frequently until they start to soften to ensure the noodles do not stick.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  3. Roast the Asparagus: Trim the ends of the asparagus and discard, as they can be tough.  Cut the asparagus into 1 inch pieces and place on sheet pan.  Drizzle with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and sprinkle with Salt & Pepper.  Roast in the oven for 10 minutes.

  4. If you made the Cauliflower Cream Sauce a day or so ahead, warm it up now before adding it to the pasta.

  5. Strain the noodles and add back to the pot.  Pour the Cauliflower Cream Sauce over the pasta. Add the asparagus (save some for adding on top of the dish) and stir to combine.  Enjoy!!