Creamy Mashed Cauliflower (Keto Friendly)
This creamy Keto Mashed Cauliflower is the perfect low-carb side dish for holiday dinners and busy weeknights. It’s smooth, buttery, and ready in about 20 minutes!
This creamy Keto Mashed Cauliflower is the perfect low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes. Made with cauliflower, cream cheese, butter, and parmesan, it’s creamy, rich, and buttery smooth. Whether you’re planning a holiday dinner or just need an easy weeknight side, this cauliflower mash delivers all the comfort of classic potatoes with a fraction of the carbs.
A little note from my kitchen to yours
Mashed potatoes have long been a holiday dinner staple in my family. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Sunday roast suppers were all accompanied by buttery, fluffy, mashed potatoes. So the idea of foregoing creamy mash with our holiday roasts never entered my mind. Instead I worked at finding a low-carb version that’s every bit as satisfying as the classic holiday mash that the whole family can enjoy.
Why you’ll love this Keto Mashed Cauliflower
- It’s super quick + simple! Ready in about 20 minutes with only a handful of ingredients: cauliflower, cream cheese, butter, parmesan, and salt. It couldn’t be easier to whip together a delicious, creamy side dish any night of the week.
- Just 5.3g net carbs per serving, it’s perfect for keto and low-carb lifestyles. Cauliflower has significantly less carbs than the root vegetables traditionally used in mashed side dishes (like potatoes, yams, and parsnips), making it an ideal substitute for those looking to cut carbs.
- It’s a rich and creamy mashed potato alternative everyone will enjoy. Just follow the recipe tips and ingredients for a smooth and buttery mash. No one will even miss the spuds!
Why this Keto Mashed Cauliflower recipe works
The secret to thick, creamy mashed cauliflower is reducing the amount of water in the finished dish. This recipe does this in two simple ways:
- #1 Steam dry the cauliflower. Cauliflower has a high water content and if you immediately blend it straight from the pot you’re going to end up with a lot of extra water in your mash. Instead, once you’ve cooked and drained the cauliflower let it sit in the colander, pot, or bowl for 5 minutes to steam-dry. This allows the steam to evaporate and reduces the amount of liquid in the mash.
- #2 Skip the cream. Skip liquid add-ins, like cream and milk, which can contribute to a watery texture. Instead use a blend of butter, parmesan, and cream cheese to add body and richness.
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
- Cauliflower: The base of the mash! I’ve found fresh cauliflower (1 large head) or pre-cut florets work best. You can also use frozen florets, just steam them and drain extra well to prevent a watery mash.
- Cream cheese: Half a block of cream cheese adds body, richness, and helps to create a thicker mash. No need to soften it first, just cut it into cubes before blending it into the cauliflower.
- Butter: Delivers that classic buttery mash flavour. You could also use ghee, or browned butter for a nutty, buttery mash.
- Parmesan: Adds depth and cheesy umami. You could also use pecorino romano or asiago. See below for a dairy-free version.
- Salt: Enhances the flavours.
Don’t forget your favourite toppings, like fresh cracked pepper, chopped chives, fresh parsley, or crispy crumbled bacon.
Mashed Cauliflower Variations
- Roasted Garlic Mash: Blend in 4-5 cloves of roasted garlic for a buttery, garlic mash.
- Loaded Cauliflower Mash: Top with crispy bacon, cheddar, sour cream, and green onions.
- Irish Colcannon Mash: Fold in sautéed leeks, kale, and crispy bacon.
- Dairy-Free Mash: Use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives, plus nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for a vegan mash.
How to make Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the cauliflower and cook until softened and fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the cauliflower and let it steam-dry for 5 minutes to allow excess steam to evaporate (Don’t skip this step!). Transfer the cauliflower to a large bowl (or food processor). Add the cream cheese, butter, parmesan, and salt. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Serve warm with your favourite toppings and enjoy!
Serving + Storage Tips
Serving: Serve warm with your favourite toppings, like fresh cracked pepper, chopped chives, fresh parsley, bacon bits, or a little extra grated parmesan. Pair this low-carb side dish with your holiday roast chicken, turkey, or roast beef. Use it to make cozy keto cottage pie or serve it alongside meatloaf, classic meatballs, or low-carb chicken pesto meatballs (a weeknight favourite).
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in a zip-top bag or freezer-safe dish in the freezer for up to 2 months. Simply thaw frozen mash overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Warm through in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring often. Add a pat of butter or ghee, if needed.
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Creamy Keto Mashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 2 lbs cauliflower florets (about 1 large head)
- ½ cup cream cheese, cubed
- ¼ cup butter, cubed
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the cauliflower and cook until softened and fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the cauliflower and let it steam-dry for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the cauliflower to a large bowl (or food processor). Add the cream cheese, butter, parmesan, and salt. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth.
- Serve warm with your favourite toppings, like fresh cracked pepper, chopped chives, fresh parsley, bacon bits, or a little extra grated parmesan.
