Easy Penne Alfredo {Gluten-free, Dairy-free}
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This one-pot penne alfredo is a gluten and dairy-free take on a comforting dish made with hidden veggies! It can easily be made paleo and AIP.
What is Penne Alfredo?
Classic Alfredo Sauce is a creamy, white sauce that is commonly known to lay over pasta noodles. Traditionally made with butter, cream, and cheese, this comforting dish can be found at many Italian restaurants.
This version of alfredo sauce is made gluten and dairy-free with a cauliflower based sauce that has lots of flavor from garlic, onion, and nutritional yeast! Easy Penne Alfredo can easily be made paleo or AIP as well!
The Ingredients for the Dairy-Free Penne Alfredo
- Spinach.
- Parsley.
- Penne. I like to use Jovial brown rice pasta, but you can also use cassava pasta from Jovial to make it grain-free and AIP.
- Cauliflower.
- Avocado oil.
- Coconut milk. My favorite is Native Forest “Simple” variety
- Chicken broth.
- Lemon juice.
- Nutritional yeast. For the cheesy flavor! You can leave this out if you prefer, but it won’t have as cheesy a flavor.
- Garlic, Onion, Sea salt, and Pepper. You can omit the pepper for AIP.
How to make Dairy-free Easy Penne Alfredo
- Prep the cauliflower alfredo. Add the cauliflower to a medium pot and cover with water. Bring to a low simmer, cover, and continue to simmer for about 8-10 minutes or until cauliflower is soft. Strain the cauliflower and set it aside to allow it to cool slightly. Using the same pot, heat the oil on low heat and saute the garlic and onion until fragrant. Add the cauliflower to a high-speed blender with garlic, onion, coconut milk, broth, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Combine with the pasta and spinach. Using the same large pan, add the spinach, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until wilted. Add the cooked penne and alfredo sauce to the pan and stir to combine and coat the penne in the sauce.
- Serve. Top with chopped parsley.
Can you serve this recipe with protein?
You can easily add chicken or shrimp to this recipe if you’d like to add protein!
Can you use another pasta shape?
This recipe would work great with other pasta shapes like fusilli, ziti, elbows, or even spaghetti.
Can you add different vegetables?
Yes! Here are some ideas for cooked vegetables to add to this recipe…
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Artichoke hearts
- Asparagus
Can you make this recipe without nutritional yeast?
You can, though it wouldn’t have as much of a cheesy flavor.
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Penne Alfredo {Gluten free, dairy free}
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower, chopped (about 4 cups)
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper (omit for AIP)
For the pasta
- 1 cup spinach
- 12 oz gluten-free penne, cooked (sub cassava pasta for AIP/paleo)
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Add the cauliflower to a medium pot and cover with water. Place on the burner on medium-low heat and bring to a low simmer. Cover and continue to simmer for about 8-10 minutes or until cauliflower is soft. Strain the cauliflower and set it aside to allow it to cool slightly.
- Using the same pot, heat the oil on low heat and saute the garlic and onion until fragrant. Set aside.
- Add the cauliflower to a high-speed blender with garlic, onion, coconut milk, broth, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Using the same large pan, add the spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes or until wilted. Add the cooked penne and alfredo sauce to the pan and stir to combine and coat the penne in the sauce.
- Serve topped with chopped parsley
Notes
All nutrition facts are estimated and will vary.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 258
- Fat: 11.5
- Carbohydrates: 39
- Fiber: 5.1
- Protein: 7.4
Recipe by Michelle, Unbound Wellness. Photos by Eat Love Eats
AIP
Low Carb
Paleo
Whole30
Absolutely delicious. I made this with cassava pasta fusili and loved every bite. The texture and taste were so similar to the alfredo sauce my mom used to make when I was a kid (when dairy and gluten were still on the menu). Thanks for creating such a wonderful recipe.
★★★★★
We’ve enjoyed all your dishes! Question: is the coconut milk canned using the fat or just regular coconut milk?
I like native forest “simple” coconut milk in a can!
What kind of nutritional yeast do you use? Also, I don’t like things with strong coconut flavor. Does this dish taste coconuty?
Sari foods is good for nutritional yeast! Personally, I don’t think it has a strong coconut taste but it’s subjective for sure!
Can frozen riced cauliflower be used in place of fresh?
Sure!
This is amazing! And easy- and best thing is that my picky 2 year old asked for 2nds and 3rds!
★★★★★
YAY, so glad!!
Hi! I’m allergic to avocado and wonder if olive or vegetable oil could be used instead? Thank you can’t wait to make!
★★★★★
Olive or coconut oil would work!
I really want to make this for my family but my daughter is allergic to coconut. Could I replace the coconut milk with either oat or almond milk? It looks delicious!
★★★★★
I’m looking forward to making this! If I don’t have canned coconut milk on hand, would regular coconut milk in a carton work??
It should still work, but the canned coconut milk is higher fat so it won’t be as creamy!