This is the best cauliflower Alfredo sauce recipe. It's so rich and creamy and surprisingly easy to make. This dairy free Alfredo sauce is also vegan, gluten-free, Whole30, and paleo. Loaded with vegetables this sneaky veggie sauce is healthy and can be used in so many ways.
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe:
- Even though this Alfredo sauce is made with cauliflower you would never know it! It's so rich and creamy and doesn't actually taste like cauliflower. It has the most amazing flavour that is similar to a traditional Alfredo sauce.
- It's quick and easy to make and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.
- This sauce is dairy free, sugar free, gluten-free, paleo, Whole30 compliant, plant based and vegan.
- Because this Alfredo sauce is made with cauliflower it is high in fiber and full of veggies.
- This vegan Alfredo sauce can made with no cashews to make it nut free.
- It freezes really well and makes great leftovers so it's perfect for meal prep.
Ingredient notes:
You should be able to find all of these simple ingredients at your local grocery store. For the exact measurements refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Cauliflower - Cauliflower is the star of this healthy Alfredo sauce. When cooked, it becomes nice and tender to help make the most rich and creamy sauce. You can use either fresh cauliflower or frozen cauliflower to make this sauce.
- Coconut milk - coconut milk is used to make this sauce really rich and creamy, without using cream, milk, or dairy. I recommend using full fat coconut milk rather than low fat coconut milk. If you can't have coconut milk I recommend using unsweetened cashew milk instead.
- Nutritional yeast - this helps this sauce taste nice and cheesy, while keeping it dairy free and cheese free.
- Broth - this helps add both flavour and depth to this sauce. You can use any type of broth that you like including vegetable broth, chicken broth or bone broth.
- Cashews - raw cashews are used to help make this sauce so smooth and creamy. Be sure to use raw cashews instead of roasted cashews. If you can't have cashews I recommend using pine nuts instead.
- Herbs and spices - Italian seasoning, sea salt, fresh garlic, and ground black pepper are all you need to perfectly season this delicious sauce. If you don't tolerate fresh garlic you could add garlic infused olive oil instead.
How to make (step-by-step):
Step one:
First you are going to steam the cauliflower florets until they are tender.
Step two:
When the cauliflower is finished cooking, transfer it to your Vitamix blender (or other high speed blender) and add all the other ingredients.
Step three:
Now blend everything well until it's smooth.
Step four:
Serve and enjoy!
Top Tips:
- This recipe makes a very large batch of Alfredo sauce so you could easily cut it in half if you are only serving a few people.
- This Alfredo sauce freezes really well so feel free to make a double or triple batch and freeze some for later.
Recipe variations:
- You can use any type of broth that you like for making this sauce including vegetable broth, chicken broth or bone broth.
- If you can't have coconut milk I would recommend using unsweetened cashew milk instead.
- To make this sauce nut free or AIP compliant, omit the cashews.
- To lower the carb count of this cauliflower sauce use half the cashews or omit them altogether.
- If you can't have cashews I would recommend using pine nuts instead.
How to serve:
Alfredo sauce is classically served over pasta - some options include Linguini, fettuccini, penne or fusilli noodles. If you are on a paleo or Whole30 diet serve this sauce over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, heart of palm noodles or carrot noodles.
You can also use this sauce to make chicken Alfredo, casseroles, or it can be used as a dip for nachos or as a white pizza sauce.
How to store:
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
This sauce also freezes really well for up to 3 months.
Frequently asked questions:
As written this sauce has 14 grams of net carbs, but you can easily lower the carb count by decreasing the cashews or omitting them.
Instead of cream, to make Alfredo sauce you can use coconut milk to give it a similar rich and creamy flavour.
While both Alfredo sauce and white sauce are white in color, they are different. Alfredo sauce is an Italian sauce traditionally made with heavy cream, butter, and parmesan cheese. White sauce on the other hand is a French sauce otherwise known as Béchamel sauce. It is made up of a roux with flour and butter plus cream.
Yes, it will just take longer to steam than fresh cauliflower.
No! Even though this sauce is loaded with cauliflower, it doesn't taste like it.
Other recipes you will like:
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Cauliflower soup
- Carrot Dip with Chilis
- Whole30 Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Spanish cauliflower rice
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Recipe
Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower (approximately 500 grams of cauliflower florets)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups full fat coconut milk
- 1 cup broth (you can use vegetable broth, chicken broth or bone broth)
- 1 cup raw cashews (omit for AIP and for nut free)
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1-2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (more or less to taste)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (omit for AIP)
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into florets and steam them until they are tender.
- Once the cauliflower is finished cooking, transfer it to your blender and add the remaining ingredients.
- Blend everything well until it's smooth.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use this Alfredo sauce as a sauce for pasta, meat dishes, and fish dishes.
- If you are on the AIP diet or can't have nuts, omit the cashews.
- You can use vegetable broth, chicken broth or bone broth for this recipe.
- Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
- Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Sharon
I’m new to coconut milk. Is there a brand of coconut milk that tastes best? My daughter loves Alfredo sauce. In fact she sounds exactly like you were about it. She is newly having to get off of cheese and dairy and is really missing this sauce. So I’m hoping to make it and have it be a replacement so that won’t hurt her body. Thanks.
Erin Carter
Hey! This is the one I use and really like:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZW8WFP6/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=pureandsimp07-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07ZW8WFP6&linkId=24ab4e4adf7cf3831b606ffee698c56c
Sharon
Thank you so much! Ordered! Can’t wait to try your recipes!
Traci
How much sauce does this make? Enough for 4 people served over grain free noodles I hope? 🙂
Can’t wait to try this and report back:)
Erin Carter
It's been a while since I made it but yes it should be enough for 4 people! Enjoy!
Charla
I totally botched the recipe due to mom brain and poured an entire can of coconut milk and a random amount of broth and used hand beaters to blend it. Despite all my errors the recipe was still very delicious but next time I make the recipe I’ll be following the recipe! I made it with Cajun chicken and spaghetti squash! Sooo good!
Fitoru Fitness
Thank you!I will definitely try these.We are working on eating better for our kids.
Erin Carter
I hope you all love it!
Kristie
So good!!