Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Cauliflower Cheese Pasta is made with frozen cauliflower, penne pasta, semi-skimmed milk, English mustard, garlic bread, and Red Leicester or Cheddar cheese. This recipe creates a creamy, cheesy, and comforting pasta bake with a crunchy garlic topping. It takes about 45 minutes to prepare and serves 4.
Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Cauliflower Cheese Pasta Ingredients
- 400g frozen cauliflower
- 400ml semi-skimmed milk
- 1 tbsp English mustard
- 300g dried penne pasta
- 100g Red Leicester or Cheddar cheese
- 100g garlic bread
How To Make Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Cauliflower Cheese Pasta
- Start the Sauce Base: Remove the air fryer shelf and add cauliflower, milk, and mustard to the drawer. Stir and cook at 200ºC for 25 minutes until the cauliflower is soft.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta for 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and reserve a mugful of starchy cooking water.
- Make the Sauce: Grate most of the cheese over the cauliflower, tear in ¼ of the garlic bread, and blitz until smooth and silky. Stir in pasta, season, and loosen with pasta water to creamy consistency.
- Top and Finish: Finely chop remaining garlic bread, scatter on top, grate over remaining cheese, and cook for 10 more minutes at 200ºC until golden and bubbling.
- Serve: Best served hot with lemon-dressed rocket or a crisp green salad.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Skip the Blitz: Blending the cauliflower creates a silky cheese-like sauce.
- Use Reserved Pasta Water: It helps emulsify and loosen the sauce perfectly.
- Choose a Strong Cheese: Red Leicester or mature Cheddar gives deeper flavor.
- Chop Garlic Bread Finely: Ensures a crispy topping without large chunks.
- Add Herbs or Chili: For a kick, stir in chopped parsley or a pinch of chili flakes.
What To Serve With Cauliflower Cheese Pasta
This creamy pasta pairs beautifully with a simple rocket salad dressed in lemon juice and olive oil, steamed broccoli, or a side of roasted tomatoes. For drinks, a crisp white wine or lemon-infused sparkling water works well.
How To Store Cauliflower Cheese Pasta
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or microwave until piping hot.
Freeze: Transfer cooled leftovers to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Defrost before reheating.
Cauliflower Cheese Pasta Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 444
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9.1g
- Carbohydrates: 77.2g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 23g
- Sodium: 1.6g
FAQs
Can I use fresh cauliflower instead of frozen?
Yes, but it may cook faster. Monitor for softness.
Is there a vegan version?
Use plant milk, vegan cheese, and dairy-free garlic bread.
Can I use other pasta shapes?
Absolutely—fusilli, rigatoni, or macaroni all work well.
Is mustard essential?
It adds a mild tang—skip it if preferred, or use Dijon.
Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the pasta and sauce ahead, then bake to finish.
Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Cauliflower Cheese Pasta
Course: DinnerCuisine: British-InspiredDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
35
minutes444
kcalCreamy, golden cauliflower cheese pasta baked in the air fryer with a crispy garlic bread topping—comfort food made easy.
Ingredients
400g frozen cauliflower
400ml semi-skimmed milk
1 tbsp English mustard
300g dried penne pasta
100g Red Leicester or Cheddar cheese
100g garlic bread
Directions
- Add cauliflower, milk, mustard to air fryer drawer, cook 25 mins at 200ºC.
- Cook pasta 2 mins short of packet, drain, reserve cooking water.
- Blitz cauliflower mix with most cheese and ¼ garlic bread to smooth sauce.
- Stir in pasta, loosen with water, season.
- Top with chopped garlic bread, cheese, cook 10 mins at 200ºC until golden.
Notes
- Blend cauliflower while still hot for a smooth result.
- Use strong cheese for rich flavor.
- Pasta water is key for sauce consistency.
- Serve fresh for best texture and flavor.