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!
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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.
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/ Substitutions:
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
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.
Step 3 -Drain the cauliflower well and then pat dry with paper towels.
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
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.
While you can freeze cauliflower mash, the texture may change upon thawing. For best results, we recommend eating it fresh.
Yes! You can prepare the cauliflower mash and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before serving.
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Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
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
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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Adapted from Eating Well
jessica
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
Andrea Fogleman
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.
Kimberly
Oh yum! Pinned. Lou Lou Girls
Jann Olson
Wow, it even looks like mashed potatoes. I bet it is yummy! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
I need to try this! It looks really good! Thanks for sharing it with us at Foodie Fridays! Pinning!
Michelle
This looks really yummy! I’m really fussy with cauliflower, I only like it in very particular ways – but I can definitely see this one being added to my list!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors
YUM!!! I need to make these asap!! The texture looks amazing!
Kim @ decorocity
Can’t wait try your recipe! Looks yummy 🙂
Anna @ Sunny Side Ups
Yum! I love cauliflower, and your recipe looks delicious! 🙂 A must try! Pinned!
Linda
I am amazed by all the new ways cauliflower can be prepared, and people seem to like it a whole lot better than when it’s just steamed.
Pam@over50feeling40
Yum, yum, yum…I really want to do this. Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog hop!
susan- ofeverymoment
I didn’t know you could mash cauliflower! Yum!! Glad I found this at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog hop!
Jen
I’m cauliflower obsessed lately— soups and breads and crusts, yum! I’m absolutely adding this to my to-try list!
Bren Fey (BrenDid)
I love garlic roasted cauliflower, this seems like a logical next step. Low carb Thanksgiving side. Shared on Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+BrenFeyBrenDid/posts/cXQwwpB8XPg and scheduled for Facebook facebook.com/contactbrendid!
Sharon
I’ve made mashed cauliflower before and it is absolutely delicious!
Stephanie
We like cauliflower, so I can’t see how this could be anything but tasty! (Found you through Two Cup Tuesday, btw). Pinning!
Jess
I totally pinned this! It looks amazing! 🙂
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
Andrea@TablerPartyOfTwo
I LOVE mashed cauliflower and trying new versions. Thanks! Visiting from Tuesday Treasure Box. 🙂
Cynthia L
I have been meaning to try mashed cauliflower. Now I really must! Thanks for linking to the In and Out of the Kitchen party.
Kristen
I just started a paleo diet – I wonder how this would be without the dairy? Looks delish!!