Simple Weeknight Dinner

Name: Simple Weeknight Dinner
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 small head cauliflower (about 12 oz), broken into florets; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving); ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil; 2 garlic cloves; ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon sea salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 16 oz fettuccine pasta; 1 to 1½ cups reserved pasta cooking water; Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Okay, picture this: you’re staring at the fridge after a long day, already debating whether cereal counts as a proper dinner. I’ve got you. This simple weeknight dinner is about to swoop in and save your evening (and maybe your sanity). We’re talking a light, dreamy Fettuccine Alfredo that’s ridiculously creamy, secretly loaded with veggies, and comes together before you can decide which show to rewatch for the hundredth time.

Vertical collage showing creamy cauliflower Alfredo sauce and a bowl of fettuccine pasta topped with parsley. Perfect for quick dinner ideas, healthy pasta recipes, and easy comfort food for busy weeknights.

Grab your comfiest sweats and let’s get into it—because you deserve real comfort food that doesn’t require a culinary degree (or a call to your local pizza joint).

Why You’ll Love This Simple Weeknight Dinner

Honestly, this Fettuccine Alfredo is the ultimate pasta hug. You’re basically taking silky noodles and draping them in a sauce that’s so luscious, you’ll swear it came straight from a restaurant kitchen—but you made it yourself (no judgment if you brag a little). And if you’re feeding picky eaters, partners, or just yourself, watch it disappear faster than you can say “seconds, please.” This is cozy, comfort food magic with a lighter twist—no heavy cream, no nap needed afterward, and absolutely zero fuss. Just honest-to-goodness creamy pasta happiness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s keep it real—these are things you probably already have on hand, or can snag in one quick grocery trip:

Cauliflower, broken into florets
Grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
Extra-virgin olive oil
Garlic cloves
Dijon mustard
Unsalted butter
Fresh lemon juice
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Fettuccine pasta
Reserved pasta cooking water
Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

For precise amounts, check the recipe card at the end of the post.

Flat lay of fresh cauliflower, pasta, olive oil, garlic, butter, Parmesan, lemon, and seasonings, all set for an easy 30 minute meal.

Ingredient Swaps & Add-Ins

Gluten-Free? Sub your favorite GF pasta!
Dairy-Free? Use plant-based butter and swap in nutritional yeast for the Parmesan.
Amp up the veggies: Toss in some baby spinach or peas with the pasta at the end.
Add protein: Top with grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for a more filling meal.

How to Make Your Simple Weeknight Dinner Shine

Get ready for a total kitchen win. Here’s the lowdown before you dive in: you’ll boil the cauliflower, cook the pasta, blend up your sauce, and then watch everything come together in glorious creamy harmony.

Step-by-Step: Your Creamy Pasta Game Plan

1. Boil the Cauliflower

Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in your cauliflower florets and let them get nice and tender—about 8–10 minutes. Drain and toss them straight into your blender.

2. Cook the Pasta

In the same or a fresh pot (pasta likes room to groove), cook your fettuccine until it’s perfectly al dente. Before you drain, scoop out 1½ cups of that starchy pasta water. Trust me, this stuff is liquid gold for your sauce.

Fettuccine noodles boiling in a pot with garlic cloves, prepping for a fast and cozy vegetarian dinner.

3. Blend the Sauce

Into the blender with your cauliflower, add the Parmesan, olive oil, garlic, Dijon, butter, lemon juice, salt, and a good grind of black pepper. Pour in 1 cup of that reserved pasta water. Blend it up until you’ve got a smooth, pourable sauce that smells like Italian comfort.

Steamed cauliflower florets with shredded Parmesan cheese in a blender, step for vegetarian pasta sauce, quick dinner ideas.

Smooth homemade cauliflower Alfredo sauce in a glass bowl, perfect for easy pasta recipes and healthy weeknight meals.

4. Toss It All Together

Pop your hot pasta into a big bowl or back in the pot. Pour that creamy sauce over the top and toss like you mean it. If things look a little thick, drizzle in the rest of your reserved pasta water until it’s perfectly silky.

5. Garnish & Serve

Sprinkle on a mountain of fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Dive in immediately—this is not a “let it sit” kind of meal. Bonus points for a big green salad and some crusty bread on the side.

Close-up of creamy pasta in a white bowl, garnished with chopped parsley and cracked black pepper, ideal for quick weeknight meals.

Tips & Tricks for the Best Fettuccine Alfredo Ever

For mellow garlic: If you’re not into a sharp garlic kick, drop the garlic cloves into the boiling water with the cauliflower for the last couple of minutes.
Creamier texture: Blend, blend, blend! If your sauce is a little chunky, just keep blending with a splash more pasta water.
Leftovers: Store any leftover sauce in a jar for up to 3 days in the fridge. It thickens as it chills—just thin with a splash of water when reheating.

Make It a Meal: Serving & Pairing Ideas

Classic Italian Vibes: Add roasted broccoli, asparagus, or a big Caesar salad.
Protein Boost: Throw some rotisserie chicken or pan-seared shrimp on top.
Make it extra cozy: Warm up some garlic bread or focaccia for dipping.
Wine night: This Alfredo loves a glass of crisp white wine (or hey, whatever’s open).

Storage & Reheating Tips

Sauce storage: Pop leftover sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days. It can be frozen, but the texture might get a little grainy—still tasty, just give it a good stir after thawing.
Reheating: Warm sauce gently on the stove or in the microwave, whisking in a little water or milk to bring it back to creamy life.

Why This Simple Weeknight Dinner Wins Every Time

This is the kind of recipe you’ll reach for again and again: zero stress, big comfort, and a sneaky serving of veggies for good measure. The creamy Alfredo magic makes even a regular Tuesday feel a little special, and nobody at the table has to know just how easy it was. Give it a try tonight—your future self (and your taste buds) will thank you.

Plate of creamy cauliflower Alfredo fettuccine with fresh herbs, a cozy comfort food option for busy nights.

FAQ

Can I use frozen cauliflower?

Yep! Just steam or boil until tender, then proceed as directed. Fresh or frozen—whatever gets dinner on the table faster.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely. Blend up the sauce, let it cool, and stash it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready, just warm it up and toss with fresh pasta.

What if I don’t have a blender?

A food processor works too, though your sauce might not be quite as silky. You could also use an immersion blender—just blend right in the pot (carefully!).

How can I make this vegan?

Swap the butter for vegan butter or olive oil, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan, and check that your pasta is egg-free. Still super creamy, still totally delicious.