Creamy Roasted Cauliflower & Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
A vibrant one-pot pasta dish with tender cauliflower florets, briny sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious garlic-herb cream sauce that. This Mediterranean-inspired one-pot recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs penne pasta, cauliflower, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 large head, cut into 1-inch florets cauliflower
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp, drained sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Sheet pans that don’t warp in a hot oven → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss cauliflower florets with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes until golden and tender at the edges.
- Step 2: While cauliflower roasts, cook penne in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 3: Heat remaining 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 3 minutes until slightly thickened, then add drained penne, roasted cauliflower, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss until sauce coats pasta evenly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in fresh basil and Parmesan until melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.








