Quick Summary: Creamy mashed cauliflower made with butter, cream cheese, parmesan, and garlic. So good my 96-year-old grandma didn’t notice it wasn’t her beloved mashed potatoes. Ready in 25 minutes. Prep: 15 min | Cook: 10 min | Serves: 6
Jump to: RECIPE | Mashed cauliflower vs mashed potatoes | How to Make It? | FAQ
I’ve tried a lot of cauliflower substitutes over the years, and this mashed cauliflower is the one that actually delivers.
It’s creamy, buttery, and rich enough that my family now prefers it to traditional mashed potatoes. We even served it at Thanksgiving and my 96-year-old grandmother, who has eaten a lot of mashed potatoes in her life, had no idea.
The secret is enough butter, a little cream cheese, and fresh parmesan.
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Does Mashed Cauliflower Really Taste Like Mashed Potatoes?
It wasn’t long (two dinner’s worth) before my family preferred the low carb mashed cauliflower over traditional mashed potatoes. Even my athletic son who wasn’t the slightest interested in a low carb or keto diet came to prefer it.
The bonus is that they are quick and easy to make. We even slipped it in at Thanksgiving and grandma had no idea that it wasn’t her beloved mashed Yukon Gold potatoes.
Grandma is 96 years old and “sharp as a tack”, but still. She’s had a lot of mashed potatoes in her life and this one slipped right by her.
How to Make Mashed Cauliflower
The ingredient and recipe details are listed in the recipe card below. In short:
- Boil cauliflower florets until fork-tender (about 6 to 8 minutes), drain well, and transfer to a food processor.
- Add butter, cream cheese, parmesan, garlic, and salt. Puree until smooth and creamy. Garnish with parsley and extra butter.
New H2: Tips for the Creamiest Texture
- Drain the cauliflower thoroughly. Excess water makes the mash thin and watery. Let it sit in the strainer for a minute before transferring to the food processor.
- Use room-temperature butter and cream cheese for easier blending.
- If the texture is too thick, add a splash of cream or milk. If too thin, return to a pot and cook briefly to evaporate moisture.
FAQ
Yes. Cauliflower is a compliant vegetable, and butter, cream cheese, and parmesan are all allowed on slow carb.
Yes. Refrigerate for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of cream or milk, stirring until smooth.
An immersion blender or electric hand mixer works. The texture may be slightly less smooth but still good.
Roasted garlic, chives, cheddar cheese, or crumbled bacon all work well. Experiment based on what you’re serving alongside.
One cup of mashed cauliflower has about 5 grams of carbs. One cup of mashed potatoes has about 35 grams.
More Cauliflower Side Dishes
Another easy low carb cauliflower recipe that is great as a side dish is baked cauliflower with saffron an olives. It is quite robust with a Middle Eastern flavor profile.
Interested in the Slow Carb Diet? Check out this comprehensive E-Guide on Fat Loss through a Slow Carb Diet.
Easy Slow Carb, Keto Mashed Cauliflower
Equipment
- Food processor can also use an electric hand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower
- ¼ cup Parmesan fresh & shredded with grater
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1-2 cloves garlic chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon chicken bouillon may substitute 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon salt may want to exclude if using chicekn bouillon
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Set a large pot of water to boil over high heat.
- Cut cauliflower in quarters and cut out stem of each quarter. Pull off any green leaves that may be left. Break the cauliflower into florets and place the florets in boiling water for about 6-8 minutes, or until tender when pricked with a fork. Drain well in a strainer.1 head of cauliflower
- While cauliflower is cooking measure out the remaining ingredients (your mise en place). Pour (dump) the hot, drained cauliflower into a food processor. Add the parmesan, cream cheese, butter garlic, bouillon and salt. Puree until smooth and creamy (pulse a few time before pressing the puree button).1/4 cup Parmesan, 1 tablespoon cream cheese, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1-2 cloves garlic, 1/8 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- To serve: Empty contents of food processor into serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Additional butter can be added to taste.1 tablespoon parsley
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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