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This cozy bowl of Crispy Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Pesto Pasta is THE best any night of the week wintery pasta. Taking a classic pesto pasta recipe and updating it with a no cream, creamy pesto sauce, crispy cauliflower, and lemony arugula. Every twirl of pasta has delicious, comforting but fresh flavors that melt in your mouth. It’s the coziest, creamiest bowl of healthier pasta that’s fancy enough for the weekend, but easy enough to make any night of the week. And most importantly, it’s delicious!
We’ve made it to the first Thursday of the New Year, which means we’re almost one week into 2021. And while the world is still a little wonky (to put it nicely), it’s been a pretty great start to the new year. We’ve already cooked up a handful of delicious recipes, all made with a slightly healthier spin. And we’re closing out the savory recipes for the week with pasta, which is never a bad idea.
This isn’t just your average bowl of pesto pasta either, it’s extra special. How it came to be is a mash-up of ideas and plenty of thinking, writing, and reworking. And while it took me a minute to get everything just right, I couldn’t love the recipe more.
In fact, it might be one of my favorites from the week. Though I’ve loved every recipe this week, sooo, I will not choose a favorite. But just know this pasta is REALLY GOOD. And what’s even better? It’s very well balanced with plenty of vegetables and herbs. It’s also easily adaptable to make completely vegan too.
Start with the cauliflower. Which is actually the heart of this recipe, and where the idea for this pasta all started.
I wanted to make an extra crispy roasted cauliflower. It’s been a while since I’ve used cauliflower. So when looking back through older posts while gathering recipes for last week’s Favorite Healthy Recipes, I came across my cauliflower salad. Oh, how I love this salad. I remember that my family all loved it so much too.
It’s truly one of my best salads, and it’s the cauliflower that makes it. I took that cauliflower recipe, and used it within this pasta. It’s oven-roasted with lots of garlic and spices. By the time it comes out of the oven, it’s extra crispy with just the right amount of char and so much flavor. It is delicious! Especially atop a big bowl of creamy pesto pasta.
For the pasta, I made a quick basil pesto, but with a few additions that make this even better. I added lemon for freshness, and jalapeño for an unexpected but delicious spicy kick. I know it sounds odd with all these Italian flavors, but if you love a Greek style goddess dressing, you’ll love this pesto. It’s very similar.
Once the pesto is made, boil up your favorite cut of pasta. I really like using a longer cut…fettuccini or bucatini are my usual go-to’s. Add the hot pasta right back to that pot you boiled it in, then add all the pesto and a splash of creamy coconut milk. The coconut milk helps to create a luscious sauce without adding in any cream. And I promise, you don’t taste even the slightest hint of coconut!
Immediately the heat from the pasta intensifies the smell of the basil…leaving you with nothing but excitement for dinner. And trust me, you should be excited. Every bowl of pasta is creamy, just oh so slightly spicy, with a subtle pesto touch. And the crispy cauliflower on top adds additional texture and flavor.
It’s is so very good. Roll your eyes back, go for that second bowl, and finish the pasta all in one sitting, GOOD. Dramatic, but true.
It’s different, but so, so good.
And again, the crispy cauliflower is a game-changer. The flavor is intense, but the texture and seasoning are spot on. It adds a saltiness that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
The perfect winter pasta…just made with a few slightly healthier swaps!
Looking for other fresh takes on pasta? Here are my favorites:
One Pot Creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Broccoli Pesto Pasta with Whipped Ricotta
Healthier Italian Wedding Soup with Lemon and Garlic
Lastly, if you make this Crispy Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Pesto Pasta, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
This recipe looks so good! Sorry to ask, but I love the white bowl and gold fork that the pasta is in. Is that from William Sonoma?? Thanks so much.
Thanks so much Gabby!! So sorry, I don’t have a link for this bowl, it’s from a potter. Please let me know if you give this recipe a try! xx
My go to site for recipes 🤍 for this one, can I use frozen cauliflower? Would love your feedback. Thank you!
Hi Lola,
Yes, that will work, I would just thaw it first to drain any liquids. Let me know if I can help in any other way! xT
Excellent for a fast, meatless Monday dinner! I had pesto in my freezer from basil left at the end of summer so I used that because I had it on hand, minus the jalapeño. I’m going to have to try this again because I am sure the jalapeño will add a great kick. This was so good!
Hey Sarah,
Amazing!! I appreciate you making this dish and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a winner! xT
Another winner! I’ve made so many recipes from you, Tieghan, and love them all. I think it’s time to get your own food network channel show and join my favorites like Valerie Bertinelli and Trisha Yearwood.
Hey Sharon,
Happy Monday!!☃️ Thanks a lot for making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it was a winner! Thanks so much for your kind message:) xx
So delicious!
Hey Christina,
Happy Sunday!!❄️ I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for trying it out and sharing your feedback! xx
Could you make the pesto without nuts? I have some dietary restrictions right now but still want to try this..
Hey Sarah,
Totally, that would be just fine for you to do! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
First dinner of the new year and this was perfect! Felt healthy, satisfying and so flavorful! Will definitely add this to our rotation!
Hey Wendi,
Happy New Year!🎆🎈 I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment! So glad to hear it was enjoyed! xx
One other idea is to try seeds. Pumpkin sees might work well!
This pesto is life giving. So so good. My go to now
Hi Brea,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for trying it out! xT🍂
Loved this recipe!! It was so good. It’s a staple in our home now. My 2 and 3 year old also devour it.
Hi Christy,
Perfect! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I am so glad it was a hit! xx
This was SO delicious. It’s on my short list. I’m looking forward to trying some of your other recipes, particularly the vegetarian ones, as my step son, who dines with us once a week, has recently stopped eating meat. He loved this! Thank you.
Hey Bev,
Fantastic! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) xx
This was simply AMAZING!!!! I made the necessary changes to make it vegan, used walnuts and left out the jalapeno. The PESTO was incredible! I’ve never used arugula in pesto before and this will be my go-to pesto recipe whenever needed. So very delicious – I absolutely loved it!
Hey Erin,
Wonderful!! Thank you so much for trying this recipe out, I am so glad to hear that it was a winner! xxT
Omg this was amazing!
Thank you for opening my eyes to the possibilities of cauliflower : D.
Will make this again for sure :).
Hey there,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for trying it out!! xx
Oh my dear, amazing, kick-butt, hard-working food blogger ….
THANK YOU for yet another amazing recipe! I had some cauliflower that I needed to use and have a long run planned tomorrow and wanted a pasta dinner with cauliflower.
This recipe (as all of your recipes) has the perfect balance of texture and flavors!
Hey Sheila,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! Have the best week:) xT
Currently making this for the second time within a week because this is honestly SO SO good. I never would’ve thought to put roasted cauliflower on top of pasta but it truly adds such a good flavor to the pesto. It’s such a good meal to make for work lunches too! I chose to omit the jalapeño since I didn’t have one on hand & used cream instead of coconut milk, and still super tasty! Definitely one of my new favorites!!
Hey Vanessa,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it! ☘️xx
This was so so yummy! Honestly, next time I think we are going to double the cauliflower because it added such a delicious flavor to the pasta. Thank you so much for recipe! It’ll definitely be made regularly in our house!
Hi Brittany,
Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear that it was a hit!! xTieghan