The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - Easy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes! (2024)

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The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe that’s flavorful and creamy, made with just three easy ingredients! This healthy veggie side dish is family approved and only takes minutes to make.

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - Easy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes! (1)

Table of Contents

  • Two Secret Ingredients
  • Do not use cauliflower florets for your mashed cauliflower!
  • Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
  • Get the Recipe

I have been working on perfecting this Mashed Cauliflower recipe for years and years now.

It has become our favorite Low Carb side dish that we make week after week.

I make a big batch on Sunday for us to have throughout the week. Just scoop out a serving and reheat it in the microwave!

My entire family (including two 4 year olds) loves it and gobbles it up. (I promise they aren’t super adventurous kids, they just like anything flavorful!)

I shared a version a year ago – Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash – that was a little different and included roasted garlic.

It’s absolutely delicious, but I feel this recipe is a little more simplistic and perfectly balanced as it is.

This Mashed Cauliflower uses two secret ingredients to keep it epically creamy and I also share how to get the perfect texture below!

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - Easy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes! (2)

    Two Secret Ingredients

    There are two ingredients that will give your Mashed Cauliflower the best creamy taste and texture:Cream Cheese and Goat Cheese!

    By adding those cheeses verses something like butter and sour cream, it keeps the mashed cauliflower nice and thick.

    Before you ask, if you really hate goat cheese, yes you can substitute the goat cheese for additional cream cheese.

    However, I really suggest you try it with goat cheese! It adds a slight tang similar to sour cream in mashed potatoes.

    Bonus, I use a herbed goat cheese which adds an extra layer of flavor!

    The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - Easy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes! (3)

    Do not use cauliflower florets for your mashed cauliflower!

    I mean it, don’t do it! I know it seems a lot easier to grab the bag of florets verses cutting up a head of cauliflower.

    However, the cauliflower florets make a looser final product. The mashed cauliflower will be runny and not the correct consistency.

    I have been making this mashed cauliflower for about 5 years at this point. I can promise you every time I use cauliflower florets, I regret it immediately.

    Use a whole head of cauliflower and cut it up. It makes a WORLD of difference to the final texture of the mashed cauliflower!

    I have tried figuring out why this is, but can’t find any conclusive answers on google or by asking my friend who’s a nutritionist.

    I assume when the stalk is intact the cauliflower head itself retains less water, but that is just a guess on my part!

    The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - Easy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes! (4)

    Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

    If this is your first experience with mashed cauliflower, and you are expecting traditional mashed potatoes, you may choose to add a potato.

    Mashed Cauliflower is never going to 100% mimic mashed potatoes, however if you add one baking potato to your cauliflower mash, it will be a closer comparison.

    To add a potato, just peel the potato, slice it into small chunks and cook it with your cauliflower until fork tender.

    Toss it into your food processor (or blender) and puree it along with the cauliflower! Super easy!

    The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - Easy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes! (5)

    To cook my cauliflower, I prefer to use a microwave safe steamer bowl. Then I puree everything together in my food processor.

    However, you can also use a glass baking dish with a lid to cook your cauliflower in the microwave.

    If you do not have a food processor, another option is a high powered blender. Both work great.

    This Mashed Cauliflower only takes minutes to make and uses three ingredients (I don’t count salt and pepper since everyone has those on hand already!).

    Plus, it’s low carb at just 3 net carbs per serving! Great for a keto diet or anyone watching their carbs!

    If you are looking for more low carb side dish recipes, check out my favorites: Garlic Roasted Cherry Tomatoes,The Best Creamed Spinach,Creamy Baked Brussel Sprouts, and Caprese Stuffed Avocados.

    You can choose to top it with a little melted butter, oil or minced chives, but it is not necessary! It is just perfect as it is!

    The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - Easy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes! (6)

    Print Pin Recipe

    Yield: 3 cups

    The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe

    This flavorful recipe for cauliflower mashed potatoes is thick and creamy, made with just three ingredients! A family-friendly and healthy veggie side dish that's ready in minutes.

    Prep Time5 minutes minutes

    Cook Time10 minutes minutes

    Total Time15 minutes minutes

    Ingredients

    • * 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
    • * 3 oz herbed goat cheese
    • * 2 oz cream cheese
    • * salt & pepper, to taste
    • * fresh chives, optional garnish

    Instructions

    • Place cauliflower and a few tablespoons of water in a microwave safe bowl with a lid (I use a microwave steamer container, but you can also use a glass casserole dish if it has a microwave safe lid.)

    • Cook for 7 to 8 minutes on high, until just fork tender. You do not want to overcook your cauliflower, or your cauli mash will come out runny/soupy. Drain excess water from cauliflower.

    • Place herbed goat cheese and cream cheese into the food processor. Add cooked hot cauliflower on top. Puree until smooth. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

    • Serve garnished with chives, if desired.

    Video

    Notes

    Recipe Note: make sure and use a full head of cauliflower, not already cut florets, to get the right texture.Read above in the post to read why!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving, Calories: 117kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 182mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 3g

    © Jessica

    Cuisine: American

    Category: Side Dishes

    Categories:

    • 30 Min or Less
    • Diet
    • Gluten Free
    • Low Carb
    • Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Vegetable Sides
    • Vegetarian
    • Videos

    Post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Related Posts

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    • Low Carb Crackers Recipe

    • Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash

    • Almond Date Truffles

    The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - Easy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes! (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the ingredients in Bob Evans Mashed Cauliflower? ›

    Cauliflower, Water, Dairy Blend (Milk, Butter [Cream, Salt], Soybean Oil and/or Canola Oil, Salt, Natural Flavor, Monoglycerides), Sour Cream (Cultured Cream, Modified Corn Starch, Sodium Citrate, Locust Bean Gum, Potassium Sorbate [Preservative], Carrageenan), Contains Less than 2% of Food Starch-Modified, Salt, Sour ...

    Why is my cauliflower mash grainy? ›

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    When you're cooking your cauliflower florets, make sure they're fork-tender before removing them from the pot. If the cauliflower isn't cooked long enough, it can make your mashed cauliflower grainy.

    Does cauliflower mashed potatoes taste the same? ›

    Flavorful: This mashed cauliflower recipe uses the same garlic, butter and salt found in traditional mashed potatoes. They give cauliflower potatoes a very similar taste!

    What do you add to cauliflower to thicken mash? ›

    Don't want to drain out all the water. Don't use cream or milk – this will result in a watery mash! Variations: Use peeled and chopped celeriac (celery root) or peeled and chopped white potatoes in place of the parsnip. Both options are higher in starch than potatoes and will help thicken the cauliflower puree.

    How do you keep mashed cauliflower from being watery? ›

    Using less water prevents the cauliflower from getting waterlogged. Boil until tender. This will take about 10 minutes or so. Sautéeing the cauliflower first helps it cook faster once the water is added to the pot.

    Why is mashed cauliflower good for you? ›

    Creamy Mashed Cauliflower is a healthier alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. Primarily due to the carbs. 1 cup of raw cauliflower has 5g of carbohydrates; where 1 cup of raw white potatoes has 12g.

    Is Bob Evans Mashed Cauliflower healthy? ›

    Made with wholesome, quality ingredients and flavors, Bob Evans Mashed Cauliflower is designed to support your lifestyle, without compromising the delicious taste you'd expect from a homemade dish.

    What is the liquid in Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes? ›

    Made with fresh real potatoes, butter, and milk, Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes tastes like homemade.

    How do you thicken cauliflower? ›

    Using a blender or immersion blender, blend cauliflower and liquid to form a very smooth purée. Season with salt. (You can adjust purée consistency as needed: Thicken by cooking down further while stirring often over low heat in a wide nonstick skillet, or thin by whisking in liquid, such as stock, cream, or water.)

    How long to boil cauliflower florets? ›

    Cooked cauliflower florets keep their shape best when steamed (5-10 mins) – remember to place them upright in the steamer. It can also be boiled (takes 5-10 mins for florets; around 10 mins for a whole cauliflower). For both cooking methods, test regularly with the tip of a knife to make sure they don't overcook.

    How do you get the bitter taste out of cauliflower? ›

    To mellow the flavor, soak the entire head (leaves removed) in cold, salted water for 30 minutes before steaming. Some of the bitter components will leach out. Soaking cauliflower will also give your cauliflower a snow-white appearance.

    Why does my cauliflower taste weird? ›

    Bitter tasting cauliflower can be caused by too much heat or sun. It can also taste bitter from a lack of moisture, uneven watering, waiting too long to harvest, or overcooking. If bitter cauliflower has been a problem, try growing purple varieties (they tend to be less bitter).

    Why is cauliflower better for you than potatoes? ›

    Nutritionally, cauliflower is lighter in calories and carbs than potatoes and is more nutrient-dense. That's why it's popular among the low carb and weight loss communities.

    What is healthier potatoes or cauliflower? ›

    Potatoes and cauliflower can both be solid choices to add to your regular diet. However, when it comes to cauliflower versus potato, cauliflower has some advantages including be lower in calories and carbs. Plus, cauliflower generally comes out ahead with versatility and nutrients profile.

    How do you stiffen mashed? ›

    You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.

    Why is my cauliflower not softening? ›

    "When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk. Be sure to check them before you turn the oven off and give them extra time if they are still too firm.

    Why is my cauliflower watery? ›

    Overcooked cauliflower releases water, which will seep into the rest of the dish. So even if your sauce was thick when it went in the oven, if its in there too long, the water from the cauliflower will cause it to go watery. I would advise to not bake for longer than 20-25 minutes.

    How can I thicken my cauliflower soup? ›

    Add flour or cornflour

    Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

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