Easy! Cauliflower Pasta Sauce

May is Cauliflower Month at Veggie Buds Club and this super simple cauliflower-packed recipe from Heather at Happy Kids Kitchen is a great way to celebrate! You can find more kid-friendly cauliflower recipes and activities that are guaranteed to connect your kids with cauliflower in our Facebook Group, request to join here.

This recipe was developed by Heather Staller, a mom of two boys, ages 6 and 4, and cooking instructor specializing in bringing cooking into preschool classrooms. After college, Heather knew she wanted to be a teacher, but first followed her lifelong dream of going to culinary school. Teaching cooking combines both of her passions, and she truly enjoys introducing young children to the joys of cooking with fresh ingredients. Find Heather on Instagram (@heather.happykidskitchen), where she shares inventive kid-friendly recipes and ideas for cooking with kids at home.

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Easy! Cauliflower Pasta Sauce

If your little one loves pasta, this is the perfect cauliflower recipe to make together! Simply blend cooked cauliflower (fresh or frozen) with milk and a few flavorings and you’ve got a creamy sauce that’s full of veggies and easy to pair with any cooked pasta. It’s also easy to add any other veggies or cooked proteins you might have on hand. This recipe calls for a pound of pasta, but you can half the recipe if you want to make less.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (16 ounces) of your favorite small-shaped pasta, such as elbows or shells
  
• 16 ounces frozen cauliflower or 5 cups fresh cauliflower florets
  
• 1/2 cup milk (any kind)
  
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
  
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese*, plus more for topping

*For a dairy-free option, use 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast instead

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside. Add cauliflower to the pot and cover with water. Simmer until cauliflower is very tender. Drain off any excess water and place cauliflower into a blender.
   
2. Add remaining ingredients to the blender and blend until very smooth. Place cooked pasta back into the pot and pour cauliflower sauce over the top. Mix well then taste for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper as needed.
   
3. Serve pasta warm with additional Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top.