This orecchiette with cauliflower and green beans is a light, healthy Italian pasta made with simple ingredients. A traditional orecchiette con cavolfiore e fagiolini recipe that's full of flavor without heavy sauces.
If you love pasta with green beans, you'll definitely want to try my Easy Pasta with Rapini and this light and creamy Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta for another simple Italian dinner idea.
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Hi! I really can't wait for you to try this one. This is one of those pasta dishes I grew up loving, and yes, even with the cauliflower.
If you think pasta with green beans sounds simple, you're right, but in the best way. The cauliflower gets soft and creamy, the green beans add that fresh bite, and everything comes together with olive oil and pasta water into the kind of sauce Italians make all the time. No cream, no fuss, just really good food.
Why You'll Love This Pasta with Green Beans
- A light and healthy pasta with green beans recipe
- Naturally creamy without using heavy cream
- Made with simple, budget friendly ingredients
- A classic Italian pasta and green beans combination
- Perfect for weeknights but still feels special
Ingredients
- 1 pound orecchiette pasta
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (plus more if needed)
- 1 small onion, diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Parmigiano Reggiano, for serving
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until tender and bright green, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: In the same water, cook the pasta until al dente.
Step 3: Steam the cauliflower until soft, about 10 minutes.
Step 4: In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté the onion until soft and lightly golden.
Step 5: Mash the cauliflower slightly with a fork or pulse it briefly. You want a mix of creamy and chunky.
Step 6: Add the green beans and onion to the cauliflower and mix together.
Step 7: Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water, then add the pasta to the mixture.
Step 8: Toss everything together, adding pasta water and more olive oil as needed to create a light, silky sauce.
Step 9: Finish with grated Parmigiano Reggiano, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Add garlic when cooking the onion for more depth
- Swap cauliflower for broccoli for a different version of pasta with green beans
- Add anchovies for a more traditional Italian flavor
- Toss in toasted breadcrumbs for texture
- Make it vegan by skipping the cheese
Pro Tips
- Cook the green beans until just tender, not mushy
- Don't over blend the cauliflower, texture is key
- Pasta water is what creates the sauce, don't skip it
- Use a good olive oil since it's the base flavor
FAQ
Yes, variations of pasta and green beans are very common in Southern Italy, often using simple vegetables and olive oil.
Yes, but orecchiette works best. Small shells or cavatelli also work.
You can. Sausage or pancetta works really well if you want a richer version.
Freezing and Storing
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I don't recommend freezing the full pasta dish, but you can freeze the cauliflower mixture and cook fresh pasta when ready.
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Pasta with Green Beans and Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 pound orecchiette pasta
- 1 pound green beans trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil plus more if needed
- 1 small onion diced
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Parmigiano Reggiano for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until tender and bright green, about 8-10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- In the same pot of boiling water, cook the orecchiette according to package instructions until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, steam the cauliflower florets until soft, about 10 minutes.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and lightly golden.
- Mash the cooked cauliflower with a fork or pulse it briefly in a food processor. Keep some texture.
- Add the green beans and mashed cauliflower to the skillet with the onion. Stir to combine.
- Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water. Add the pasta to the skillet.
- Toss everything together, adding pasta water as needed to create a light, silky sauce. Drizzle in more olive oil if needed.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Notes
- Reserve your pasta water, it helps create the sauce
- Don't over mash the cauliflower, texture makes the dish better
- Use good quality olive oil for the best flavor
- You can add garlic with the onion for extra depth
This recipe, the photo's have me reminiscing a beautiful Italian village. The table is set in a an open field, with mix matched furniture, and homemade pasta! I love it!
i cant have enough or cauli too! love the beans in there and the gorgeous pasta!
I love orecchiette! last summer we went to Puglia...and we discovered that this pasta goes well with anything! brava! daniela
Mmm... cauliflower! Yum! I also think orechiette are an under-utilized pasta. I'm thrilled to see them used. Yay #pastalove!
lora, i love cauliflower!!! never thought about putting it in pasta! what a fabulous pasta dish 😀
I wished you lived closer so I could stop by. We love pasta and cauliflower - put the two together - fantastico! Pinned for dinner inspiration. P.S. That's sweet that your hubby remembers your posts 🙂
I love cauliflower so I'm ok with you posting as many recipes as you want 🙂 #pastalove!
Pasta is something we all agree upon too 🙂 Love this dish! 🙂 Sending you some #pastalove! Have a great week!
Cindy
great way to get my kids to try some cauliflower, thanks for the recipe. sending you #pastalove 🙂
No need to convince me-- I like cauliflower and love orecchiette pasta. They come together very nicely in this dish--not surprised your kids like it. 🙂
Beautiful combination of flavors!!!
Sending you lots of #Pastalove my friend.. 🙂
Lovely dish! I have yet to convince my kids that cauliflower is yummy, but I would glad try again with this dish. Love that it's healthy and simple, and, no doubt, delicious! Happy to celebrate #pastalove with you Lora 🙂
I loved your recipe!!Tried commenting yesterday, but my computer was playing-up!Cauliflower sounds like a great vegetable to be added to pastas, but somehow I never thought of using it!Will be trying out this recipe very soon 🙂
Happy #pastalove!
I have a crush on cauliflower too! I LOVE it with pasta and parmesan. A match made in heaven! xoxo
I think cauliflower is one of the most underrated vegetables out there. I love cauliflower, and this is a fantastic way to incorporate it with pasta, the green beans a unique surprise! I also love orecchiette, especially making them from scratch..pulling the tiny dough balls across a lightly floured board with one finger, and boom, look it's an ear! 😉 This looks so mouth-watering, Lora..I want it for dinner tonight!
Thank you! I can just see you making your own delicious orecchiette, Lisa. I think they are too underrated;)
So nice, Lora! I cooked this sort of pasta some time ago and I liked its shape a lot (I love big shells, or rather... I love any BIG type of pasta 😉
I never added cauliflower to pasta, but sounds good.
Sending you loads of #pastalove!
True confession: I adore almost every veggie but the appeal of cauliflower has always alluded me. However, I'm trying and if any dish is going to get my crush going, it could very well be this one b/c I'm a pasta fiend 🙂
Our youngest adores cauliflower, as she says, "it is my FAAAAVVVVVORITE". She can't get enough. It is hard to believe that many in the US don't share the crush, thanks for reminding them.
Yes yes yes we both - JP and I - love cauliflower and oddly enough after not having cooked it literally in years we (he) is starting to bring it home regularly and making gratins, salads, etc. Love this pasta dish and sooo Italian! Okay, gotta cook along since we make pasta so often for dinner!
Mmmmmmm....I have a crush on cauliflower, too! And with pasta makes it even better!!! Sending you lots of #pastalove for sharing this delectable dish 🙂