Get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! This dish takes the classic mashed cauliflower to a whole new level by blending it with rich, melted cheese for a creamy, flavorful delight that everyone will love.
Perfect as a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, this cheesy mash is packed with nutrients and flavor, making it a hit with kids and adults alike. Whether you're looking for a tasty side dish or a delicious way to sneak in some extra veggies, this Mashed Cheesy Cauliflower is sure to become a family favorite.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Low-Carb and Nutritious: This Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower offers a healthier alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, packed with vitamins and minerals while keeping the carbs low.
- Rich and Creamy Flavor: Blended with rich, melted cheese, this dish delivers a satisfying, indulgent flavor that will please even the pickiest eaters.
- Easy to Prepare: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower Recipe is quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or special occasions.
🥘 Ingredients
- Cauliflower Florets: The base of our dish, cauliflower, is low-carb and nutritious. Pick fresh heads for the best results.
- Water: Used to steam or boil the cauliflower, ensuring it’s tender and perfect for mashing.
- Heavy Cream: Adds richness and a creamy texture to the mash.
- Butter: Butter makes the mash silky and flavorful.
- Garlic Powder: For a subtle, savory kick, add garlic powder.
- Salt: Enhances all the natural flavors.
- Black Pepper: A touch of heat to balance the creamy mash.
- Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese: Melts into the mash, adding rich, cheesy goodness.
- Fresh Chives: Adds color and a mild oniony flavor to finish the dish.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Mix it up—blend cauliflower with potatoes for that classic mashed potato feel but with a sneaky veggie boost. Comfort food, leveled up.
- Get garlicky—double up on the garlic powder or even roast a few cloves for that bold, buttery, garlicky goodness. No vampires allowed.
- Creamy twist—swap out the heavy cream for cream cheese and watch that mash turn extra tangy, rich, and oh-so-lush.
- Load it up—bacon crumbles, spring onions, sour cream…basically, your favorite loaded baked potato just got a cauliflower makeover.
- Make it purple—ditch the white and grab some purple cauliflower for a mash that’s just as tasty but way more fun to look at. Check out our tasty recipe for Purple Cauliflower Mash.
🔪How To Make Cauliflower Mash
Here are the step by step instructions for making this cheesy cauliflower mash.
Step One: Roughly chop the cauliflower florets into bite-size chunks. Place the cauliflower in a large pot and cover with water. Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer covered for 15 minutes, or until the cauliflower is very tender. Pour the cauliflower into a colander to drain.
Step Two: Pour the hot cauliflower into a large bowl and add the butter, heavy cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Step Three: Use an immersion blender to puree the cauliflower until smooth, or transfer to a food processor to puree.
Step Four: Pour half of the mashed cauliflower into a 9×12 glass casserole dish. Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese. Top with the remaining cauliflower, then sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
Step Five: Bake the mashed cauliflower for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted and the cauliflower is bubbling around the edges.
Step Six: Finally, your Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower is ready to serve. Garnish with fresh chives if desired.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Instant Pot Steamed Cauliflower: This recipe boils the cauliflower on the stovetop however if you want to make Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower then pop the cauliflower into the Instant Pot with one cup of water. Pressure cook for 3 minutes followed by a quick release of the steam. Drain the water and continue from step three.
- Extra Seasoning: For the best flavor, season your Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower generously with salt and pepper, and consider adding a pinch of nutmeg. Nutmeg enhances the creamy, cheesy notes and adds a subtle warmth to the dish.
💭 FAQs
Yes! You can prepare the mashed cauliflower in advance. Simply make it as instructed, let it cool, and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. When you're ready to serve, just reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk if it gets too thick.
Absolutely! Frozen cauliflower works just as well as fresh. Just make sure to steam or boil it until it's tender, and then drain off any excess water before mashing. This can save time, especially on busy days.
If you're looking for a lighter version, you can swap the cream cheese with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a similar creamy texture. You could also use a dairy-free cream cheese substitute if you're making this recipe vegan or dairy-free.
To enhance the cheesy flavor, add extra shredded cheese to the mashed cauliflower and mix it in until fully melted. You can also sprinkle more cheese on top and bake it for a few minutes to create a delicious, golden crust.
To enhance the cheesy flavor, add extra shredded cheese to the mashed cauliflower and mix it in until fully melted. You can also sprinkle more cheese on top and bake it for a few minutes to create a delicious, golden crust.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some of the best side dishes to serve with Mashed Cauliflower:
- Roasted Chicken: The creamy cauliflower mash complements the savory flavors of Air Fried Chicken or Roasted Chicken perfectly.
- Steak: Serve alongside juicy Steak Bites for a classic and hearty meal.
- Fish: Pair with baked or grilled fish for a light and healthy dinner.
- Ribs or Chops: The rich and cheesy cauliflower mash goes great with Tender Pork Chops or Slow Cooked Baby Back Ribs.
- Turkey: Whether it’s Smoked Turkey Breast or leftover Thanksgiving turkey, this mash makes a perfect accompaniment.
- Vegetable Stir-Fry: For a vegetarian option, serve with a colorful vegetable stir-fry for a balanced meal.
- Meatloaf: Try this Easy Meatloaf Recipe for a comforting combination that’s perfect for a cozy dinner.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 2 Cauliflower
- Water
- ½ cup Heavy Cream
- ½ Cup Butter
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder optional
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- Pinch Black Pepper
- 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese or cheddar cheese blend of choice
- tablespoon Fresh Chives chopped (optional) for garnish
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Roughly chop the cauliflower florets into bite-size chunks. Place the cauliflower in a large pot and cover with water. Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer covered for 15 minutes, or until the cauliflower is very tender. Pour the cauliflower into a colander to drain.
- Pour the hot cauliflower into a large bowl and add the butter, heavy cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Use an immersion blender to puree the cauliflower until smooth, or transfer to a food processor to puree.
- Pour half of the mashed cauliflower into a 9×12 glass casserole dish. Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese. Top with the remaining cauliflower, then sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake the mashed cauliflower for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted and the cauliflower is bubbling around the edges.
- Finally, serve hot with fresh chives if desired.
