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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

    Published: Oct 22, 2023 · Modified: Jun 11, 2025 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 30 Comments

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    Garlic mashed cauliflower served on a blue plate.

    This creamy garlic mashed cauliflower recipe is a perfect low carb alternative to traditional mashed potatoes!  It’s seasoned with simple ingredients along with cream cheese and Parmesan cheese that gives it the perfect creamy texture.

    Looking for more low carb easy side dish recipes to pair with your meals? This sauteed spinach and this cauliflower casserole are always a hit and this air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus is so amazing!

    Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

    Best Garlic Cauliflower Mash

    A great side dish like this mashed cauliflower is a testament to the fact that healthy and delicious can coexist harmoniously on the same plate.

    Garlic cauliflower mash is not just tasty for those on a low carb diet, it’s a perfect side dish to make for any holiday dinner. The creaminess of the cream cheese, the rich taste of Parmesan, and the  garlic come together wonderfully and there are rarely any leftovers.

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    Ingredients needed:

    • Cauliflower – one large head of cauliflower is the star of the show for the perfect nutty flavor. Fresh is best but you can use frozen cauliflower as long as you thaw it completely and pat it completely dry before using.
    • Cream cheese – adds a touch of creaminess and tang to the mash.
    • Grated Parmesan cheese – brings a salty, umami flavor that complements the cauliflower beautifully.
    • Garlic cloves- fresh raw garlic adds a robust flavor that elevates the dish. You can also use jarred minced garlic or a teaspoon of garlic powder. Feel free to add more if you’d like.
    • Chicken bullion powder – provides a rich, savory depth.
    • Black pepper – rounds out the flavors.

    Variations To Try:

    1. Swap the cream cheese for sour cream for a tangier flavor.

    2. Use vegetable bullion instead of chicken for a vegetarian version.

    3. Add roasted garlic or sauté the garlic in a skillet for 2 minutes instead of raw for a milder, sweeter garlic flavor.

    4. Use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese and a dairy free cream cheese for a vegan option.

    5. Add ½ cup of diced onion in when the cauliflower cooks or add a teaspoon of onion powder.

    6. Add a little butter in if you’d like

    7. Mix in some fresh herbs like parsley or chives.

    How to Make this Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Recipe

    Garlic Mashed Cauliflower2

    Step 1 – Cut the cauliflower into florets and bring a large pot of water to a boil.

    Step 2 -Add the cauliflower florets and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.

    Garlic Mashed Cauliflower3

    Step 3 -Drain the cauliflower well and then pat dry with paper towels.

    Garlic Mashed Cauliflower4

    Step 4 -Place the cooked cauliflower in a food processor with all of the other ingredients.

    Step 5 -Puree until your desired consistency.

    Garnish with chives.

    Tips:

    • Make sure to remove an excess water from the cauliflower to avoid it being too watery.
    • Cook the cauliflower in a steamer basket or directly in the pot.
    • Use an immersion blender or a potato masher instead of a food processor. 
    • For a smoother mash, let the food processor run for an extra minute or two.

    FAQ’s

    How to Store?

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

    Can I freeze this cauliflower mash?

    While you can freeze cauliflower mash, the texture may change upon thawing. For best results, we recommend eating it fresh.

    Can I make this mashed cauliflower ahead of time?

    Yes! You can prepare the cauliflower mash and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before serving.

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate it in the recipe card. We would love for you to join us and over 300,000 followers on Facebook as well as on Pinterest and Instagram too!

    A bowl of mashed cauliflower with chives on top.

    Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

    This creamy garlic mashed cauliflower recipe is a perfect low carb alternative to traditional mashed potatoes!
    5 from 3 votes
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    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 71kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 1 head cauliflower cut into small pieces.
    • 1 tablespoon cream cheese
    • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • sat and black pepper to taste
    • ⅛ teaspoon chicken bullion powder optional

    Instructions

    • Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
    • Add the cauliflower to the boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes or until tender.
      1 head cauliflower
    • Drain well in a colander. Pat dry with paper towels to remove any excess water.
    • Place hot cauliflower in a food processor.
    • Add the garlic, cream cheese, Parmesan, chicken bullion and pepper.
      1 tablespoon cream cheese, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 clove garlic, ⅛ teaspoon chicken bullion powder, sat and black pepper
    • Puree for about 2 minutes or until almost smooth.
    • Garnish with chives, and serve hot.

    Notes

    1.Swap the cream cheese for sour cream for a tangier flavor.
    2. Use vegetable bullion instead of chicken for a vegetarian version.
    3. Add roasted garlic or sauté the garlic in a skillet for 2 minutes instead of raw for a milder, sweeter garlic flavor.
    4. Use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese and a dairy free cream cheese for a vegan option.
    5. Add ½ cup of diced onion in when the cauliflower cooks or add a teaspoon of onion powder.
    6. Add a little butter in if you’d like
    7. Mix in some fresh herbs like parsley or chives.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 439mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 69.5mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 0.7mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

    Tried this recipe?We love seeing your pictures! Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    Adapted from Eating Well

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kurt

      June 17, 2022 at 3:02 am

      5 stars
      Love it, looks really tasty!

      Reply
    2. Harold

      June 17, 2022 at 3:00 am

      Looks really tasty!

      Reply
    3. Bonnie @ The Pin Junkie

      November 24, 2014 at 10:35 am

      Wow! This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing your yummy recipe at The Pin Junkie. Just wanted to let you know that it’s featured in a Thanksgiving recipe roundup at The Pin Junkie at http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2014/11/thanksgiving-recipes.html

      Reply
    4. Shannon from Bohemian Junktion

      November 22, 2014 at 10:20 am

      Visiting from Pieced Pastimes. I’m trying to get going on THM, and this fits right in because I love garlic mashed potatoes. Definitely trying this!

      Reply
    5. Serene @ House of Yumm

      November 19, 2014 at 2:53 pm

      This looks wonderful. Love that you added garlic too. Such a fun change from doing mashed potatoes.

      Reply
    6. Handyman, Crafty Woman

      November 19, 2014 at 1:57 pm

      Congratulations! You’ve been featured on Wicked Awesome Wednesday! Thank you for sharing your mashed cauliflower recipe. Please feel free to stop by the website and pick up your “I’ve Been Featured!” button.

      Reply
    7. Dee

      November 19, 2014 at 1:22 am

      I’ve always wanted to try this, and you make it look so tasty! Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle! 🙂

      Reply
    8. Janell

      November 18, 2014 at 6:32 pm

      Seriously looks just like mashed potatoes. Maybe I will try this for thanksgiving. I am in charge of the Potatoes this year. 🙂
      Visiting from Frugal Friday Link up Party.

      Reply
    9. swathi

      November 17, 2014 at 5:44 pm

      Delicious thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop. pinning.

      Reply
    10. Miz Helen

      November 17, 2014 at 11:38 am

      I just love this dish! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with Full Plate Thursday.
      Come Back Soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    11. jessica

      November 17, 2014 at 10:22 am

      I bet this would be so great! I wish my family liked cauliflower 🙁 Does it have a cauliflower taste? Maybe Ill make it and trick them if it doesnt lol.
      thanks for linking up at totally terrific tuesday!
      I pinned this 😉
      Super excited about the party tonight, doing an awesome giveaway for you!
      Jess

      Reply
    12. Andrea Fogleman

      November 16, 2014 at 7:43 pm

      I’ve tried this and it’s fabulous. I used sour cream instead of cream cheese, but I bet the cream cheese would be better. Yum! Thanks for sharing and linking up to Scraptastic Saturdays. This post will be shared via FB, Twitter and Pinterest. Have a wonderful week.

      Reply
    13. Kimberly

      November 16, 2014 at 4:25 pm

      Oh yum! Pinned. Lou Lou Girls

      Reply
    14. Jann Olson

      November 15, 2014 at 11:25 pm

      Wow, it even looks like mashed potatoes. I bet it is yummy! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
      hugs,
      Jann

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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