Creamy Mashed Cauliflower is often touted as a low carb alternative to mashed potato, but it’s actually a delicious side dish in its own right that regularly makes an appearance at up market bistros and fine dining restaurants! Serve Cauliflower Mash with everything from your favourite Steak to Roast Chicken, Schnitzel to Sausages with Gravy.
It’s so tasty, you’ll want to eat it straight out of the pot!
Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed Cauliflower made well is seriously tasty in its own right, not just the low carb cousin of rich, buttery mashed potato. Nowadays, it’s borderline “trendy”. I see it regularly on plates served up by up market bistros and fine dining restaurants!
So here’s how I make Cauliflower Mash taste as good as mashed potato – without using an entire block of butter! 😂
How to cook cauliflower to taste like mashed potato
The secret to make cauliflower taste like mashed potato is the flavourings. You can’t just boil up a big pot of cauliflower and mash it!
Here’s what you need. There are options – to make it dairy free, vegan (sour cream/cream cheese is optional), and also what you’ve got on hand or your personal preferences.
TIP: Make sure the cauliflower is cooked until soft, to ensure it purees smooth. Getting hard little rice-like bits in your cauliflower mash is not very pleasant!
Creamy – or chunky!
Make your Cauliflower Mash smooth and creamy, as I have done, or chunkier if that’s your preference. My preference is smooth because it makes it seem richer and hence more like mashed potato. If it’s chunky, you get juicy bits of cauliflower – which sort of reminds you that you’re eating cauliflower instead of creamy mashed potato!
What to serve with Cauliflower Mashed Potato
Serve Cauliflower Mashed Potato with anything that you’d ordinarily serve with mashed potato – and devour without guilt! Here are a few ideas:
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast – LOW CARB!
Garlic Chicken Thighs, Sticky Baked Chicken Thighs or juicy Marinated Chicken Breast
Pork Tenderloin with Honey Garlic Sauce or Roast Pork with Crispy Crackling
Steak with Creamy Peppercorn Sauce or Garlic Thyme Butter Basted Steak
And that’s just the tip fo the iceberg. Have a browse of my Dinner recipes for more ideas!
~ Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 kg / 2lb cauliflower florets (Note 1)
- 2 garlic cloves , peeled, whole
- 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (25g) parmesan cheese , shredded
- 1/4 cup (55g) sour cream , optional
- 1 – 3 tbsp cooking water
- Salt and pepper , to taste
Garnishes (optional):
- Melted butter, parsley, pepper
Instructions
- Cut the larger florets in half or quarter so they’re all about the same size.
- Add cauliflower and garlic into a large pot of boiling water and cook for 10 minutes until very soft.
- Scoop out a mug of cooking water.
- Drain well, then transfer to food processor.
- Add remaining ingredients, starting with no water, blitz until smooth. (Use handheld blender stick if you don't have food processor)
- Use reserved cooking water to adjust consistency to taste and help puree smooth.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste
- Transfer to serving bowl, drizzle with melted butter and garnish with parsley if desired.
- Serve as a side with anything that you’d usually serve with mashed potato!
Recipe Notes:
- Butter – sub with extra virgin or ordinary olive oil
- Parmesan – 1/4 to 1/2 tsp Vegeta or vegetable stock powder (for “umami” flavour that parmesan provides)
- Sour Cream – 60g / 2oz cream cheese
- Cooking water – milk (any dairy or dairy free)
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
Sweet little puppy golden retriever, recent addition to the gang of Golden Retrievers that Dozer runs with! I thought I’d try her on for size…. and I think she looks great on me!
Also thought Dozer might get a little jealous….but…
….. no. There was no sign of jealousy at all. 🙄
Hi Nagi. Can I sub the sour cream with double thick Greek yoghurt?
Yes 100% Monique! N x
Thanks so much Nagi. I made this last night and OMW, it was the most delicious mash I have ever made! This is going to become a regular side dish now.
Delicious, thanks Nagi! Served with smothered marylands and steamed greens. Will absolutely have it again.
Just made it and it was absolutely delicious! I added an extra cheeky clove of garlic and used cream cheese as I didn’t have sour cream. Used a slick blender and mine didn’t need any water and it was perfect! Thank you for another yummy recipe Nagi! xx
Thanks again Nagi for another winning recipe. I was looking for an alternative to mashed potato for my weekly meal prep cook up, this hits the spot. This will be part of my monthly set of sides I keep in the fridge to build meals throughout the working week. I can’t express enough how much I love your website. You’ve ignited my love for cooking again. I rave about you to so many people !!
Next time I make this I’m going to throw in some chopped chives.
I made this OMG so smooth and tasty thanks Nagi
Hi Nagi,
Just wondering if I could use the packet cauliflower rice from the supermarkets to make this? Could it be steamed in the microwave instead of boiling, before proceeding with the recipe? It sounds so delicious, I’m keen to give it a try, and any advice you can give would be very appreciated 😊 Thank you,
Dewey
I imagine so Dewey, just drain any excess water – frozen veg can sometimes be a little waterlogged – N x
Thanks for your advice Nagi, I gave it a go and it was really delicious 😊 the whole family loved it! This recipe is a real keeper! Thanks again for all your wonderful work!
Dewey
Holy. Moly. Amazing!!! I made these for my husband’s Keto birthday dinner and they are *possibly* better than real mashed potatoes. My only tweak was to roast the cauliflower first, based on your observation in the cheesy cauliflower recipe that roasting eliminates the sulphurous flavour. Total make-again, but it’s so rich, it’ll be for special occasions only! Thanks, Nagi! ❤️
Did you cook the cauliflower by entirely by roasting then blending it with the other ingredients? Thanks
Just made this and it was so much more delicious than I expected. Great recipe as always 😁👍🏻
This was absolutely shockingly great. Best mashed potato sub ever. I’m trying to do keto, and this is a game changer.
Awesome Vicki! – Nx
Just made this to go with your honey garlic pork, as I was making it I was spooning it into my mouth tasting for s+p. So damn yum, I am the biggest lover of mashed potato but this gave me the same vibe and was actually more flavorsome than regular mash! I’m hooked sos
This is my new favourite cauliflower mash recipe. So tasty. It was a perfect accompaniment to your Garlic Butter Salmon recipe
So good, I added Dijon mustard to make it taste even better!!!
Wow!
I made this because I wanted a low-carb alternative. I assumed I would be sacrificing some flavour or texture but this recipe is amazing in both aspects!
I misread the recipe when I went shopping so I didn’t have sour cream, but I added a little thickened cream for texture. I can’t believe how simple yet delicious this mash is!
Thanks again, Nagi!
You’re totally converted now Diane!!! N x
I just saw your website and your recipes look yummy. Ill be making some of them soon. Thank you for making them look easy and comprehensive.
You’re so welcome Sandra, love to know what you think once you try some recipes!!! N x
I’m after some freezer friendly meals, after a year WFH it’s time to go back to the office and need to plan better. Would this be suitable on top of cottage pie and then freeze? Would love some freezer meal preps if you have a chance. Thanks 😊
Yes 100% Sofie, you may need to reduce the liquid though to ensure it holds its shape a little better! N x
It was delicious! Thanks Nagi.
Have you tried this with broccoli instead of cauliflower? Just wondered if thats an alternative.
I found it a bit watery- but I’m not sure if it’s because I cooked it for too long? I ended up cooking it for 25 mins because I wanted to make sure it was super soft. Taste was excellent though!
Hi Sarah – yes, it would have made it too watery. The cauliflower would have been extremely soft and water logged, sorry to say 🙂 N x
Thanks Nagi for your reply. Next time I shall try doing it for the 10 mins. Absolutely love your website- so many recipes I’ve used already!
I’ll be coming back to this recipe over and over. We loved it.
Hi Nagi! Hubby is on a horrible no dairy and low carb diet so I made this tonight with all the substitutions… and he loved it! He absolutely raved about it! Yum!
Wahoo!!! That’s great Jess! N x
I have just made it for the first time! It’s quick, easy and very delicious! A very good alternative for a potato mash!
Absolutely amazing! Great for diabetics. I always loved my mashed potatoes but this is a surprising new favorite. Everyone loved it.