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This fluffy mashed cauliflower recipe turns healthy cauliflower into the best ever mashed potatoes with just five ingredients. With a nutty brown butter and sage sauce, they don’t skimp on flavor. They’re so creamy, all while being low-carb and keto-friendly!
save this recipe!Mashed cauliflower was always one of those things that I just didn’t get. I would boil it, puree it, taste it, annnnd it would just taste like soggy cauliflower. It got to the point where every time I would see someone praising the faux-potato perfection of their cauliflower mash, I would just assume they must be stretching the truth.
But then I discovered the secret to perfect mashed cauliflower and my world flipped. So in the name of reducing your risk of sad-n-soggy mashed cauliflower, I’m sharing that secret with you today! One word…steaming.
Reader rating
“Fantastic cauliflower recipe… tried it out …. So delicious… Thanks from India Sarah, for sharing wonderful vegetarian recipes… you just make my days simpler & tastier.” —Hema
grab these ingredients
We’re keeping the ingredients list pretty simple for this recipe, but feel free to add whatever spices or flavors you might like! Jump to the recipe card for the full quantities.
- Cauliflower: A versatile and nutritious cruciferous vegetable, it’s our star ingredient when it comes to making a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes.
- Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess and richness to the mashed cauliflower.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhance the flavors of the dish.
Can I use frozen cauliflower?
Yes, you can use frozen cauliflower for this recipe. However, fresh cauliflower is recommended for the best texture and flavor. If using frozen, be sure to pat the cauliflower very dry after steaming.
How To Make Mashed Cauliflower
This is just an overview. Jump to the recipe card for the full instructions.
Step 1: Steam The Cauliflower
Chop the large head of cauliflower into manageable chunks, removing the tough inner stem. Place the cauliflower chunks in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Cover the pot with a lid and steam the cauliflower for about 15 minutes or until it becomes fork-tender.
Step 2: Optional Brown Butter (For More Flavor!)
In a pan, add unsalted butter and place it over low to medium heat. As the butter melts, add minced garlic. Watch the butter closely as it first bubbles and then begins to darken. Once you see little dark bits forming, and the butter has transformed into a light caramel color, remove it from heat.
Step 3: Puree The Cauliflower
Once the cauliflower is fork-tender, transfer it to a food processor. Add cream cheese, salt, and pepper to the cauliflower chunks in the food processor. Puree the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Serve
Serve the mashed cauliflower warm, optionally drizzled with the delicious brown butter.
make ahead tip
I love batch prepping this recipe. You can make the mashed cauliflower ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop when ready to serve.
Serve it with
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner on a Sheet Pan
1 hour 50 minutes
Maple Dijon Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
15 minutes
Roasted Acorn Squash Soup Recipe
1 hour 15 minutes
Fluffy Mashed Cauliflower | Low Carb Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower, 2 to 3 lb
- 4 Tbsp cream cheese, 55 g
- ¼ tsp each salt and pepper
Brown Butter (Optional)
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, 55 g
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Steam: Start up a large pot of boiling water, with a steamer basket positioned over it. Chop the cauliflower into chunks, removing the tough inner stem. Transfer to the steamer basket, cover with a lid, and cook for 15 minutes, or until cauliflower is fork-tender.
- Brown Butter (optional): Meanwhile, add butter to a pan (use a light colored pan if possible so you can see the change in color) and place over low/medium heat. Melt butter, then add minced garlic. Continue cooking. Butter will first bubble, then after 5 or so minutes will begin to darken. When little dark bits begin to form and the butter has darkened to the color of light caramel, remove from heat.
- Puree: Place cauliflower, cream cheese, salt, and pepper in a food processor and puree until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Serve warm, optionally topped with a drizzle of brown butter.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
was very anti-mashed cauliflower for the longest time. cauliflower is delicious without mashing it, and if i’m going to have mashed potatoes i want actual potatoes! but i tried some mashed cauliflower at a restaurant recently, and was mind-blown. been trying to recreate it, and am excited to see what cream cheese adds!
Hey Heather! Yea I was totally in the same boat, but I’m so happy we were both able to finally discover the beauty that is mashed cauliflower! The cream cheese does a lot as far as making it creamy and decadent-feeling 🙂 Happy cooking!
Do you think this can be made ahead of time and reheated later? I’m going to my aunt’s house for Thanksgiving and I’d like to bring this dish!
Hi Alexa! While we ate it all in one sitting, I did a little digging and from the sounds of it, mashed cauliflower does pretty well with reheating in the microwave (just make sure you stir it a few times while it cooks to distribute the heat nicely). I’m so happy to hear the cauli mash will be making an appearance at Thanksgiving! Enjoy and happy cooking! 🙂
Fantastic cauliflower recipe… tried it out …. So delicious… Thanks from India Sarah, for sharing wonderful vegetarian recipes… you just make my days simpler & tastier…
Stay Blessed dear 😊❤️
I’m so happy to hear it, Hema! Enjoy! 😀
Is there a substitute for the cream cheese?
You could use boursin or ricotta! 😀
I never enjoyed caulliflower, smell is awfull and I always bloat. But your recipe… its amazing. I did swicth some stuff, cream cheese for quark cheese. Sorry, I live in Europe and quark cheese is best. Brown the butter with smashed garlic ad some carolina reaper flakes… Et voilá … Best cauliflower smash recipe. I did it to this awsome keto shepard recipe.
Thank U all for teaching us🙏
Pleasantly surprised with this cauliflower mash, will definitely make it again. Yum yum 👍👍
I’m so happy to hear it, Patsy! Happy eating! 🙂
Can I use riced califlower. Have baggage of the stuff. Would I pan fry it and then put it in the blender?
Thanks!
Yep you can use that! 😀