Shh… this creamy mashed cauliflower is my secret swap for mashed potatoes, and no one ever notices the difference. It’s buttery, smooth, and so good it disappears before anyone figures it’s cauliflower.
Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
Love mashed potatoes? You have to try this creamy mashed cauliflower recipe—it’s rich, buttery, and tastes just as good but with fewer carbs. We love this served on the dinner table next to our juicy holiday turkey, rotisserie chicken or my super easy salisbury steak!
Made with cauliflower, garlic, cheese, and butter, this smooth mash pairs perfectly with any dinner and comes together in under 20 minutes.
Use fresh or frozen cauliflower florets—both work great and give the same delicious, velvety results. Serve it as a holiday side dish or easy weeknight favorite everyone will love!
How to Make Mashed Cauliflower
Chop up a head of cauliflower into small pieces. This is going to speed up the cooking time.
Bring chicken broth to a boil. Add fresh or frozen cauliflower and continue to boil.
Cook until cauliflower is softened, using a spoon to break it up as it cooks.
Take off the burner and add the cheese, butter, garlic and salt.
Use a potato masher, or spoon to smash and stir until creamy and smooth.
Serve and dig in! Enjoy these creamy mashed cauliflower!
Storing/Reheating Leftovers
Storing: Let the mashed cauliflower cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk or a small pat of butter to bring back the creamy texture if needed.
Pin for later:
Ultra Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
PrintIngredients
- 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, chopped small (can sub with 16 ounce bag of frozen cauliflower)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 clove garlic mined
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Bring chicken broth to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan.
- Add cauliflower and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, breaking up cauliflower with a spoon as it cooks, for 15 minutes, or until cauliflower is very soft.
- Remove saucepan from burner and add shredded cheese, butter, garlic and salt. Use a spoon (or potato masher) to mash by hand until mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Serve and enjoy these yummy mashed cauliflower!
jane doe says
dissapointed, I clicked on your site because the title says NO butter or milk. That is not true or youve mis typed an extra ingredient.
Pamela says
Hi Jane, I’m not sure where you’re seeing that, the description says “this easy recipe is just like mashed potatoes but doesn’t use potatoes or milk!” The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon butter, you could easily substitute olive oil for this if you’d like. Hope this helps.
Jenny says
really yummy
Pamela says
Thanks Jenny, glad you liked the potatoes!
Paloma says
May I quote you on the blog? The part I’d like to quote is this: Love the mom food idea. One of my proudest acshmplicoments with my children is that they love food as much as my husband and I do. Often, when I make one of my really tasty dinners, my husband will remind the kids how much they’ll appreciate and remember this food, once they move out of the house (especially when they are eating dorm food :-)). I also really believe in the idea of comfort food, which is what mom food is all about. and I can credit it any way you wish.
Lidia says
Looks heavenly!
Ella-HomeCookingAdventure says
This must be delicious.. a new way for me to cook cauliflower. My husband loves it a lot so he will be glad of this new recipe in our house.
Ashley says
I love making mashed cauliflower! It’s so good! And I love the new look of your site – looks fantastic!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
I don’t know why I’ve never made mashed cauliflower before, I mean it looks delicious and I really love cauliflower. I’ll have to remember to give it a try soon!
Consuelo - Honey & Figs says
Oh lucky you, your cauliflowers look amazing! Ours will never ever grow eeek I wish I knew what’s wrong with them. I guess it must be the climate here 🙁 Anyway, I’d love to try this mash so badly that I’m even willing to use the frozen stuff. It looks delish!
Mary Frances says
I’ve been meaning to try mashed cauliflower. Yours sounds tasty!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
Love that picture of you holding fresh picked cauliflower – how awesome is that to grow your own! Love mashed cauliflower!
Siv/MoonLight @ AWorldInMyOven says
I’ve never in my life thought of mashing califlower. It’s amazing, all the new things I learn just by reading your blog or roaming the internet.. Plus it has cheese in it, that’s even more amazing. I feel totally inspired to make this for dinner tonight!
Megan says
Cauliflower mash sounds so tasty, and the cauliflower you grew looks gorgeous!
Aimee / WallflowerGirl.co.uk says
Cauliflower mash is amazing! I’ve been using it to top shepherds pies and love it! Your cauliflower + kitten tshirt photo is super sweet by the way ^.^
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This creamy cauliflower mash sounds divine!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
Looks yummy, Pamela! What a great, healthy way to use that surplus of cauliflower
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Wow, this is amazing … it looks just like a big bowl of regular mashed potatoes. I love that you’ve added all that cheese and garlic – I’d love to try this with that beautiful BBQ chicken!
vicky and ruth / May I Have That Recipe? says
What Beautiful cauliflowers you got from your garden. This cheesy cauliflower mash sounds fantastic.
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
I love creamy cauliflower. Love that this is straight from the garden!
So pretty.
Kelly says
Wow I am always in awe of the beautiful veggies you grow in your garden, the cauliflower looks sensational! Love this creamy mashed cauliflower – what a healthy and delicious dish 🙂
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
This mashed cauliflower looks delicious! I always feel so guilty eating mashed potatoes but next time I’ll have to try cauliflower instead! Do you ever get stressed out with the bounty of your garden?! It’s crazy how much it produces!
Pamela says
Hey Linsdsey, hope you give these a shot! I totally get stressed sometimes…. especially when it is tomato and cucumber time!
Cailee says
YUM! I’ve wanted to try this as a healthier alternative to mashed potatoes!! What a great healthy recipe 🙂
Natalie says
Healthy and delicious, great recipe!
PassTheKnife says
I’ve been dying to try mashed cauliflower. I’m so impressed with how well your garden is doing. Looking forward to trying out this recipe.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I’ve always wanted to try mashed cauliflower, have heard wonderful things about it! Your pictures are enticing me to try this, and now! Especially with the cream cheese in there…love it!