I can tell you a million times that this dairy-free Cauliflower Alfredo tastes JUST LIKE THE REAL THING. But you won’t believe me until you make it. However, you can read the reviews on Amazon. Yup, this is one of the most loved and coveted recipes from my first book, Made Whole. You can read all about it, buy it at any bookstore.
Table of Contents
Yes, it tastes just like Alfredo Sauce
This sauce is oh-so-simple, yet oh-so-legit. I’ve had people post in my Facebook groups that they cried the first time they tasted it. Yeah, like that. It’s also a no-fail way to get your kids to eat vegetables. Great as a creamy sauce in casseroles, stir fry, and more, you will be making a batch of this low carb, dairy-free, nut-free Cauliflower Alfredo WEEKLY! The secret ingredient is the fish sauce, packed with umami, just like aged parmesean. This dairy free cauliflower alfredo will change your life.
Sharing a coveted recipe!
So why am I sharing this recipe from my cookbook? Am I making bad marketing decisions? Maybe! But you know, at the end of the day, I want to make your life better and I want you to enjoy the food you eat and heal your body while you do it. For those of us who gave up nuts and dairy a long time ago, the flavor of a rich, creamy Alfredo might have been a thing of the past. I know you are going to love this sauce! I’m 100% confident in that.
I wrote this book to help people! This is my dedication, and I mean every word!
Magical Combination
- The base of this sauce is obviously cauliflower! We use it a lot, that’s why it’s so creamy. I love this chameleon vegetable that can truly be anything.
- Red wine vinegar adds a little tang, you know because cheese has a little tang to it too.
- Lots of garlic. It’s my love language. These are steamed with cauliflower so they lose their bite.
- Fish sauce, it’s the magic ingredient. I use Red Boat Fish sauce because I think it’s the best! This ingredient is what makes this Alfredo taste so legit.
- A little ghee, butter, or butter flavored coconut oil.
Step by Step Cauliflower Alfredo
- Cut up your cauliflower floret and combine it in a small pot with the garlic.
- Add water and cover with a tight fitting lid. Steam until very tender.
- Drain completely and transfer the cauliflower and garlic to a blender. Add in the remaining ingredient while the cauliflower is still hot.
- Blend until completely smooth!
- Transfer to a jar or toss with pasta.
- Store leftovers in a mason jar in the fridge for up to 8 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it doesn’t come through at all in this recipe. If you’re allergic to coconut milk use cashew cream instead.
I don’t recommend it, but if you have to you can use 2 tbsp nutritional yeast instead. This will also make the sauce vegan, along with using butter-flavored coconut oil.
Use duck fat, bacon fat, or even olive oil, leave out the black pepper.
Tips and Tricks
- Use fresh cauliflower! This will keep that lingering cauli smell and taste to a minimum.
- Blend the sauce up while the ingredients are hot, it will give you a smoother sauce.
- Don’t skimp on the fat!
- Taste it before you’re done, always adjust your salt, acid, or fat before pouring it out of the blender.
- Use this sauce as base for casseroles, serve with cassava pasta or low carb noodles.
If you haven’t bought my book yet, you will after making this.
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Cauliflower Alfredo (Dairy Free, Nut Free, Paleo, Keto, AIP)
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 12
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
The best dairy free alfredo you will ever taste, made from cauliflower, no joke.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cauliflower florets
- 5 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons salted butter, ghee, or duck fat
- 1 tablespoon Red Boat Fish Sauce
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a sauce pan with about an inch of water and add the cauliflower and garlic. Heat the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil with the lid on. Cook for about 8 minutes, until the cauliflower is fork-tender. Remove from the heat and drain.
- Place the cauliflower, garlic and remaining ingredients in a blender. Puree until smooth.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days. To reheat, bring to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat.
Recipe Notes:
- AIP variation: sub butter for coconut oil or duck fat. Omit black pepper.
- Vegan variation: sub fish sauce for nutritional yeast, use coconut oil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 3.4g
- Protein: 3.5g
Roxy says
Wow! This recipe is so delicious. I’m newly AIP after being diagnosed with a pretty serious chronic illness. I swapped the butter for olive oil and eliminated the pepper. The texture was perfect, and the sauce is so creamy and hearty! Thank you, Cristina.
Cristina says
So glad Roxy!!!
Kristi says
I made the Cauliflower Alfredo and it is AMAZING!! genius recipe, so flavorful and light!!
Cristina says
THANK YOU!
Peggy says
This is sooo good! I didn’t think Alfredo sauce could be made with cauliflower, but I’m a believer now!
Cristina says
This sauce changes lives
Sarah says
I made this alfredo sauce today. IT IS AWESOME! I added some Nutritional Yeast and left out the fish sauce and red wine vinegar. Best, creamiest, smoothest sauce ever and oh so good! Saute’d some shrimp and kale and added it to the sauce and then over squash spagetti and ate. You are so generous with your recipes and I thank you for posting them.
Cristina says
yyeeaayyy thank youuu
Sara says
How much nutritional yeast did you add to this? I don’t have fish sauce either so wondered about an alternate.
Cristina says
1-2 tablespoons
Sam says
This recipe is super easy and so legit. It’s my favorite recipe from your cookbook I think. You would have no idea you were eating anything but regular Alfredo sauce. My kids kill this sauce over pasta every time I make it. Thank you so much.
Brianna Clifton says
Good afternoon, I tried reading all your comments to see if anyone asked my question, but first I am so sorry people are just so darn mean, you have put this recipe out there for us from the kindness of your heart and I appreciate you ?. So my question is, can I use frozen cauliflower rice, if so how much? It’s all I buy from Costco to make cauliflower recipes ?
Cristina says
Hey Brianna,
Thanks! So yes, but I would steam it and then strain it well, maybe even ring it out with a towel before putting it in the blender, frozen cauli rice will have more liquid than fresh steamed. I would use 4 cups frozen cauli rice
Nicole says
Should you be eliminating the black pepper for the AIP diet?
Cristina says
Yes, as listed in the substitutions, you omit black pepper for AIP elimination phase. Black pepper and other peppercorns are a dried berry spice. So, some iterations of AIP leave it in, I know for me, it was an early re-intro. But none the less, for AIP as outlined in The Paleo Approach, no peppercorns in the elimination phase.
Pamela says
Fantastic recipe! My husband, who is not keen on cauliflower, loved it.
Cristina says
Awesome! Thank you!
Erica says
Can I use cashew milk in place of full fat coconut milk?
Cristina says
It depends, I think run of the mill store-bought cashew milk isn’t thick enough for a silky texture, but homemade cashew milk is or Elmhurst!
Jamie M Folks says
Can I use coconut oil in the place of lard? I don’t have lard.
Cristina says
Yes, or olive oil too. Coconut oil might make it taste more coconutty
Beth says
BUTTER OR GHEE IS NOT DAIRY FREE. JUST BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE EAT IT AND NO OTHER DAIRY DOES NOT MAKE IT DAIRY FREE.
A better substitute is not Lard but vegan margarine of choice.
Cristina says
the recipe clearly states LARD as an option, making it dairy free, CHILL OUT! Lard or bacon fat is 100% better than vegan margarine which is hydrogenated oils and HORRIBLE for your health.
Karmen says
Made this and had it with zoodles and added red pepper and fresh basil, it was wonderful! Then I used the leftover sauce to make an alfredo bake with some leftover cauliflower last night for dinner- even my 3.5 year old loved it!! Great recipe!
B says
Well, this recipe can’t be considered dairy free when butter is one of the ingredients.
Cristina says
Ingredients: salted butter, ghee or lard. Many people who can’t tolerate dairy products can still use ghee or grass fed butter… if not, they can use the lard, that is listed. So yeah, dairy free. Thanks for stopping by.
Chandra says
Bought your book based off this free recipe! I had no idea others were trying to do Paleo, Keto and AIP. Who knew? Glad I’m not alone!
Question: I buy cauliflower pearls when I can get them on sale so I’m wondering measurements of that? I don’t have 3 cups of florets to process down to compare.
Thanks!
Chandra
Cristina says
Thanks Chandra! Yes! There are many of us! You I would say 2 cup pearls
Cheryl Turner says
OMG this recipe is fabulous! Cristina, you’re a genius! I’ve been AIP/Paleo for 2 1/2 years so I’ve made my fair share of “Alfredo’s” and this is by far the best I’ve tasted! Even though I definitely don’t need yet another cookbook, this recipe convinced me I must have Made Whole! ?
ktr says
I love this recipe! I have your cookbook and make this sauce frequently – just made it again this past weekend in fact. It is so great to have on hand to add to leftovers to make them a little more tasty or disguise meat that doesn’t reheat well. I did try to freeze it once and it was really thin when I thawed it out, so I wouldn’t recommend that.
Cristina says
Thanks!!