Looking for a quick and easy dinner solution, the whole family will love? This delicious bowl of caramelized cauliflower and mushroom spaghetti whips up fast, and it's the ultimate vegetarian comfort food.

I fell in love with this very pasta recipe one summer evening in Tuscany, nearby Florence, in the dim light of their local restaurant.
I don't remember its name, but the taste of this simple spaghetti dish has lived with me since that visit.
Noodles are not only amusing but delicious. - Julia Child
๐ Why it Works
- It's a simple dish that feeds a crowd.
- Even kids love spaghetti, so it's perfect for your little picky eaters!
- Caramelized cauliflower is a delicious ingredient to a recipe that already strays from the regular pasta routine.
- It's a quick and easy dish to make.
- You can easily customize it by adding your favorite vegetables.
๐ Ingredients and Notes
- spaghetti
- olive oil
- baby bella (crimini) mushrooms
- cauliflower
- garlic
- tomato paste
- dry white wine
- anchovy fillets (omit for vegetarian version)
- Parmesan
Like mushrooms, cauliflower is a good source of fiber and provides extraordinary amounts of vitamin C, and vitamin K.
Benefits of its nutrient profile include reducing inflammation, increasing bone health, and reducing the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Caramelized vegetables are heaven-sent. There’s nothing like topping a burger or a sizzling steak with caramelized mushrooms or onions.
๐ช Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Meanwhile, in a large non-stick skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to a plate and set aside.
- Add the cauliflower to the same skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes (work in two batches if necessary). Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the tomato paste and cook, continually stirring, about 1 minute. Stir in the wine, anchovies, and crushed red pepper. Cook until wine is reduced by half, for a couple of minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the spaghetti cooking water, then the spaghetti into the cauliflower mixture and gently toss. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Off heat, stir in the mushrooms and Parmesan. Top with fresh basil leaves.
Speaking of pasta routines, you will love this new routine on All that's Jas: Noodles Without Borders.
On the first Tuesday of every month, my friend Bobbi from HWC Magazine and I will each share a noodle recipe from around the world.
We both love international food, and I don't know anybody who doesn't like noodles. Do you?
You will find my mini spaghetti and meatballs amusing and delicious. If you love noodles as much as I do, you'll eat them for breakfast too.
They are super delicious combined with cheese and hard-boiled eggs and also very amusing served as nests.
Have a favorite noodle recipe? Share it on your social media and tag with #NoodlesWithoutBorders so we can find you. Or if you make one of ours, we would absolutely love to know!
This is no attempt to knock the classic spaghetti and meatballs off the list of family-favorite dinners.
This is, however, one of my favorite ways to switch up a bowl of pasta and incorporate some different flavors.
Once you have it all set on the table, don’t forget to uncork your favorite bottle of wine.
I could NEVER forget a good glass of wine! I wish I could enjoy it in that tiny Italian restaurant instead.
- Egyptian Kushari
- Veracruz Spaghetti
- Grenadir
- Lokshen Melba Kugel
- Fettuccine and Smoked Salmon
- Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Linguine
Liked this recipe? Leave a โญโญโญโญโญ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Caramelized Cauliflower and Mushroom Spaghetti
EQUIPMENT
- Colander
- Large cast-iron or a nonstick skillet
Ingredients
- 12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
- ยผ cup olive oil
- 8 oz baby bella, crimini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into ยผ-inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ยผ cup tomato paste
- ยฝ cup dry white wine
- 8 anchovy fillets, minced (omit for vegetarian version)
- ยฝ teaspoon crushed red pepper, or more if you like it spicy
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ยฝ cup grated Parmesan
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Meanwhile, in a large non-stick skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to a plate and set aside.
- Add the cauliflower to the same skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes (work in two batches if necessary). Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Stir in the wine, anchovies, and crushed red pepper. Cook until wine is reduced by half, for a couple of minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the spaghetti cooking water, then the spaghetti into the cauliflower mixture and gently toss. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Off heat, stir in the mushrooms and Parmesan. Top with fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- Replace anchovy fillets with 4 teaspoons of anchovy paste.
- Omit anchovies for the vegetarian version
- Replace parmesan with nutritional yeast for a vegan option.
sageandivydesigns says
Yummy recipe I cannot wait to try it. Happy weekend, Kippi
Jas says
Thanks so much, Kippi!
diyadulation says
This looks absolutely incredible! I fall in the camp of loving mushrooms (and cauliflower for that matter). Can't wait to try your delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing it with us at Merry Monday this week!
Jas says
I'm so happy you like it, Marie! Thanks for stopping by!
LINDA says
Yum! Hi, love your post. I have a new blog party and would like to invite you to come share this on the CLASSY FLAMINGOS BLOG PARTY held each Tuesday evening thru Friday. You'll get large picture exposure and shout outs on all of my social media sites. You may get PINKED and you'll get even more exposure! I hope you'll add me to your party list. poinsettiadr.com
Jas says
Thank you, Linda!
Irene says
This recipe sounds really delicious, with such a blend of well developed flavours, and yet, easy to follow.
Jas says
Thank you so much, Irene!
acraftymix says
I swear this dish was made just for me. I love both cauliflower and mushrooms. Sadly no-one else in the house is a big fan, but that does mean I get to eat the lion's share ๐ I've never tried caramelized cauliflower though. It sounds scrumptious Jas
Jas says
More for you, right? My husband loves it but as a side dish. He's got to have a hunk of meat with it, lol. Thanks for visiting, Michelle!
Kathy says
This looks delicious - I'm trying to find a way for my husband to eat cauliflower! This may do it ๐ Thank you for sharing with Home and Garden Thursday!
Kathy
Jas says
Hope he'll give it a try ๐ Thank you for stopping in, Kathy!
Miz Helen says
What a great combination for a delicious dish! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday.
Miz Helen
Jas says
Thank you, Miz Helen! Have a great week.
jadoreledecor says
This looks absolutely delicious. Definitely one to try!
Jas says
Thank you! ๐
The Girl Next Door says
This looks amazingly good! I'm surely going to try this out some time soon. ๐
Jas says
I'm so happy you like it! It's simple and delicious. ๐ Thanks for stopping in!
chefjulianna says
Hey Jas, this looks like the perfect Tuscan recipe! We were in Florence last year and have great memories of yummy pasta recipes, similar to this one! Next time we will have to look for the little red truck! This is a beautiful recipe, and I would love to make it to bring Florence into our kitchen! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Fiesta Friday today! ๐
Jas says
Thank you, Julianna! Isn't it the most magical place? ๐
Jacqui |Recipes Made Easy says
I would never have thought of serving cauliflower and mushrooms like this in a pasta dish, yet i love both and it looks delicious so I will have to try. Thanking you for sharing on #CookBlogShare
Jas says
I hope you do, Jacqui! We love it. ๐
Healthy World Cuisine says
Loving the caramelized cauliflower in this dish and the little kick of spice. Boys are going to love slurping these delicious noodles! Delicious!! Take Care
Jas says
Thank you, Bobbi! ๐