Pasta Primavera with Cauliflower Sauce

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Description

This pasta with cauliflower sauce features multigrain spaghetti, broccoli, and bell pepper served in a creamy veggie-cheese sauce for a nutritious meal.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups cauliflower florets
3/4 cup vegetable broth
6 ounces multigrain spaghetti, uncooked
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
1/3 cup water
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups broccoli florets, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, cut into bite-size strips
2 tablespoons sliced fresh basil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Directions

1 Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in cauliflower and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender, about 15 minutes. Uncover and let cool slightly.
2 Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in boiling water until tender yet firm to the bite, 7 to 10 minutes, adding broccoli and bell pepper for the last 5 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. Return spaghetti to the pot and set aside.
3 Transfer cauliflower-broth mixture to a food processor. Add Parmesan cheese, water, and black pepper. Cover and pulse until sauce is smooth.
4 Pour cauliflower sauce over spaghetti in the pot. Cook over low heat until heated through, stirring in reserved cooking water to reach desired consistency. Garnish with basil, lemon juice, zest, and Parmesan cheese.