Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes Wellplated Com

Once the trendiest vegetable on the menu, cauliflower has proved itself to be an enduring classic. Raw or steamed cauliflower is ultra-mild (dare we say bland). That kind of neutrality is not ideal for a stand-alone side (and why I prefer Roasted Cauliflower to raw), BUT it does give cauliflower a special power. Cauliflower is a stellar low-carb swap for carby, creamy potatoes in many dishes. In addition to bulking up creamy soups like Broccoli Cheddar Soup and Cauliflower Chowder, cauliflower makes a surprisingly tasty stand-in for spuds in mashed form. While cauliflower mashed “potatoes” aren’t a 100% I-can’t-even-tell dupe of traditional Crockpot Mashed Potatoes and Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, hear this: they are really, really good. Whether you are looking to:

Keep your meal low carbSneak a healthy serving of vegetables past picky eaters, orWant a healthy side dish that goes with just about anything, cauliflower mash is an excellent option.

Mashed cauliflower also works well as a topping for casseroles that call for mashed potatoes, like Shepherd’s Pie. Still skeptical? Give it a try; you’ll be surprised by how similar mashed cauliflower and mashed potatoes taste!

How to Make Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Mashed cauliflower doesn’t taste like much on its own, which is why it’s the perfect stand-in for potatoes, another vegetable that’s bland until you liven it up. For the best cauliflower mashed potatoes possible:

Season with plenty of salt and pepperAdd some fat to give it the right texture and satisfaction factor (I use a combo of Greek yogurt and butter)Include a little umami in the form of Parmesan.

For good measure, I boil some garlic cloves right along with the cauliflower, but if garlic isn’t your thing, feel free to omit it (if garlic is your thing, you must make this Roasted Garlic soon!).

The Ingredients

Cauliflower. Cauliflower gets a dreamy makeover in this recipe. Low in calories and packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, it’s also a great, low carb alternative to mashed potatoes. Garlic. Adds delightful garlicky flavor to the mashed cauliflower. Butter. Rich, buttery goodness is a must for crowd-pleasing flavor. It also adds some much-needed fat.Greek Yogurt. Adds tanginess and creaminess in a healthy way. Greek yogurt is packed with protein and calcium.

Milk. Helps make the mashed cauliflower creamy. Use any milk you have on hand.Parmesan. Parmesan adds the perfect cheesy, salty flavor. You’ll miss it if isn’t gone.Salt + Pepper. Classic, simple seasonings.Chives. The onion-like flavor and beautiful green color of chives make them the ideal finishing touch.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate mashed cauliflower in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding splashes of milk as needed. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave.To Freeze. Freeze cauliflower mashed potatoes in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve with Mashed Cauliflower

Chicken. Pair this mashed cauliflower recipe with Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, Rosemary Chicken Thighs, or Cranberry Chicken.Pork. Stuffed Pork Tenderloin and Grilled Pork Chops would both be delicious with this recipe.Beef. No two dishes pair better with cauliflower mashed potatoes than Braised Short Ribs and Instant Pot Pot Roast.Turkey. This would be the perfect side dish for Turkey Meatloaf or Cranberry Turkey Meatballs.Seafood. Pair this recipe with Broiled Salmon or Air Fryer Shrimp.Vegetables. For a delicious vegetarian dinner, serve mashed cauliflower with Grilled Portobello Mushrooms or Grilled Brussels Sprouts.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Saucepan. A versatile kitchen staple.Food Processor. Perfect for pureeing the cauliflower. Sharp Chef’s Knife. A good-quality knife makes chopping a breeze.

Mashed cauliflower, you are the healthy comfort-food move! Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.