Vegan Cauliflower Cream Pasta
As we embark on this vegan journey, I haven't missed much, apart from cheese. I miss cheese...the creaminess and the yummy, melty quality of cheese. So, I started experimenting how to make something creamy without cheese and discovered cauliflower was the answer.
I suggest using organic cauliflower for this recipe, it will simply have a better taste and the cauliflower is essentially the basis for your entire sauce. I use enoki, shitake, and cremini mushrooms for my recipe, however you could choose any combination you prefer. You really need a good blender for this sauce, it is important that the cauliflower really emulsify. I used a Vitamix, the key is to choose a blender that will turn the cauliflower into pure creaminess!
Vegan Cauliflower Cream Pasta
INGREDIENTS
- 1 Pound Large Rigatoni
- 16 oz Mixed Mushrooms
- 1/2 - 3/4 Organic Cauliflower (Dependent on size, cut into trees)
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/2 Cup Oat Milk
- Glug of Olive Oil (1-2 Tbsp)
- 1 tsp Miso Paste
- 2 Cups Chopped Spinach
- Salt
- Red Pepper Flakes
INSTRUCTIONS
Get a big pot of water boiling and cook your pasta al dente. Drain well, saving 1 cup of pasta water. Return the pasta to the pot and add a bit of olive oil, so it doesn't stick to the pan.
While the pasta cooks, bring another pot of water to boil, add in a bit of salt and the cauliflower. Simmer the cauliflower until it is tender and drain. At the same time, in a small pan, sauté the mushrooms with a bit of olive oil.
Add the garlic, lemon juice, oat milk, olive oil, and miso to your blender. I used a Vitamix, you need a really good emulsifier to make this saucy super creamy. Taste the sauce, add salt to taste. Add in 1/4 cup of your saved pasta water and emulsify a bit more.
Add the sauce to your pasta pot, stir well. Throw in the raw spinach and sautéed mushrooms and give it another good stir. Taste the yumminess you created and add more salt and red pepper flakes. If you think the sauce is too thick, add some of your saved pasta water.
What's in my kitchen?
MY NAME IS...
Colleen Mallory
Thank you for visiting my blog! My name is Colleen Mallory. I dream about cooking...I love thinking about how flavors meld together or how to make a recipe better. When I am not dreaming about cooking, I sew, knit, read, my hobbies are pretty endless actually. Join me on this journey.
