A rich, hearty pasta bowl where roasted garlic brings big flavor — no dairy needed.
Cooking dairy-free doesn’t stop the craving for a hearty pasta bowl. Instead of reaching for cream, cheese, or a dairy substitute, this one leans on pantry ingredients that do the heavy lifting.
Sun-dried tomatoes bring the richness, capers add that salty punch, and roasted garlic melts into the sauce so everything coats the pasta beautifully.
The roasted garlic can easily be made earlier in the day and kept in the fridge until dinner — which makes this pasta come together really quickly when you’re ready to cook.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz–1 lb pasta
- 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
- 1 whole head garlic
- 4 tbsp capers (3 tbsp for sauce, 1 tbsp for crispy topping)
- 3 tbsp oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1–1½ inch pieces
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3–4 tbsp olive oil (divided)
- ½–¾ cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley or basil
- Black pepper
Protein
Pre-cook your chicken marinaded in Italian dressing, or other protein like salmon or shrimp.
Instructions
Pre-work: Roast the garlic Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice the top off a head of garlic so the cloves are exposed. Drizzle with olive oil, wrap loosely in foil, and roast for 45–60 minutes until soft and golden.
1. Cook the pasta Bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook pasta until just shy of al dente. Reserve pasta water before draining.
2. Crisp the capers Heat olive oil in a small pan and cook the capers until they begin to crisp and pop. Remove and set aside.
3. Build the base In a large skillet, sauté the shallot in olive oil until softened. Stir in the roasted garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Add the vegetables Add asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers. Cook until the asparagus is tender-crisp, then stir in the lemon zest.
5. Finish the pasta Add the protein, drained pasta, reserved pasta water, and lemon juice. Toss until the pasta is glossy and coated with the sauce.
Easy Serving Ideas
- Serve alongside roasted salmon for a simple dinner.
- Add grilled chicken to make it a full meal.
- Pair with a simple lemony salad to keep things bright.
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