This creamy mashed cauliflower recipe is like mashed potatoes, but made with cauliflower instead! Adding shredded cheese makes it cheesy too!
If you are a fan of traditional mashed potatoes then you will love this easy mashed cauliflower recipe because it tastes just as great but contains less starch and carbs!
It’s super creamy, full of delicious cheese and garlic flavors, and goes with many other main dishes as the perfect side. It’s super easy to whip up on a busy weeknight or Sunday dinner, your family is going to be shocked when you tell them it’s made from cauliflower!
The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
This is the best cauliflower mash because it’s ultra creamy and has the best flavor. Mix it with just a touch of butter, shredded cheese, garlic and salt for a comforting side dish that doesn’t taste as heavy as mashed potatoes.
And to make this recipe even easier for you, you don’t have to use fresh cauliflower if you don’t have any. If you are trying to find a way to use up your frozen cauliflower florets, that can work for this recipe too. Whichever you choose to use, it’s going to produce the same tasty results.
This easy recipe is the perfect side dish and will be the perfect addition to make for the whole family this upcoming holiday season. When it comes to delicious and easy side dishes on the holiday table like this one, I’d suggest making extra because I won’t be shocked if everyone comes back for seconds (and maybe thirds)!
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. You can also use a food processor if you want extra creamy mashed cauliflower.
Serve next to your main course (like cheesy meatloaf!) and enjoy!
Storing/Reheating Leftovers
Store leftover mashed cauliflower in an airtight container and in the refrigerator. If stored properly, mashed cauliflower can last up to three days.
To reheat leftover mashed cauliflower, you can do so in a skillet on the stovetop or in the microwave. It should take no longer than one to two minutes but cook until warmed through.
Mashed Cauliflower FAQs
How do you keep mashed cauliflower from getting watery?
If you feel the mashed cauliflower consistency is too watery you can add more cauliflower, or you can add instant potato flakes at the end when you’re mixing it with the cheese and butter.
What does mash cauliflower taste like?
Mashed cauliflower tastes similar to mashed potatoes. The consistency is fluffy and light. This recipe consists of butter, shredded cheese, garlic and salt—so these are the primary flavors you will taste from this cauliflower mash recipe – much like mashed potatoes!
Is mashed cauliflower better than potatoes?
Mashed cauliflower is a great low carb alternative to regular mashed potatoes. This delicious recipe is a healthier alternative to mashed potatoes but it’s up to you which you prefer. However, I think it’s safe to say that you will love this delicious recipe and it will become a new favorite staple in your household!
Do I use gravy on mashed cauliflower?
Yes, you can use gravy on mashed cauliflower if desired. A mushroom gravy or whichever gravy you prefer will work. If you’re looking to learn how to make gravy, I have a recipe for that as well!
There are also different ways you can garnish this dish, like with fresh parsley, chopped green onions or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Can I make this mashed cauliflower recipe vegan?
Yes, you can make this recipe vegan-friendly by replacing the butter with olive oil or vegan butter, replacing the chicken broth with vegetable broth, and the cheese with vegan alternatives.
More Cauliflower Recipes
Check out some of my other favorite cauliflower recipes:
- Roasted Cauliflower Soup
- Baked General Tso’s Cauliflower
- Cheddar Cheese Cauliflower Casserole
- Creamy Cauliflower Pasta
- Cheesy Cauliflower
Pin for later:
Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
PrintIngredients
- 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, chopped small (or 16 oz 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 creamy. Alternatively, you can add everything to a food processor and pulse a couple of times until creamy.
- Serve and enjoy!
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!