Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Garlic Mashed Cauliflower may be healthier than mashed potatoes, but I promise it tastes just as good! You won’t regret making this garlic mashed cauliflower–missing out on calories and gaining all the flavor! This healthy side dish will be your new favorite recipe.

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

What’s in this Garlic Butter Mashed Cauliflower Recipe?

You’re probably wondering how to make cauliflower into mashed potatoes… Because that sounds crazy, right? A healthy vegetable turned into a creamy mash with the taste and texture of potatoes? It is so possible and so good. And of course, it’s easy too, so that’s a win.

  • Cauliflower: The magic ingredient that blends up into a creamy mash!
  • Low-Fat Cream Cheese: Helps create a creamy texture that more closely resembles classic mashed potatoes.
  • Salted Butter: Adds that rich buttery taste we love!
  • Garlic: Adds an earthy flavor and a pungent aroma.
  • Rosemary: Adds a fresh herbal flavor that balances the garlic.

Pro Tip: Make sure to cut the cauliflower into equal-sized pieces so it all cooks through completely. This will help create the creamiest mash.

Variations on Mashed Cauliflower

This cauliflower mash recipe is so versatile! You can swap out the rosemary for any fresh herb, like parsley, sage, or thyme. Plus, you can add cheese, and you know how much I love cheese! Cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, provolone, or Swiss are all great cheeses to add. Simply grate them into the warm mash and stir until melted!

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

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Does mashed cauliflower really taste like mashed potatoes?

Cauliflower has an earthy and nutty flavor that’s slightly more complex than potatoes, but it’s pretty darn close!

Is cauliflower mash better than potato mash?

It’s certainly a healthier alternative! It’s lower in calories and carbohydrates.

How do you keep mashed cauliflower from being watery?

It’s important to drain the cauliflower well before blending it to remove excess water. But if it’s still watery, try adding a slurry made from 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1-2 tablespoons of cold water and cook for a few minutes to thicken.

What do you add to cauliflower to thicken mash?

We add cream cheese to this recipe to make it nice and thick, but if you find that you’d like your mash even thicker, try adding the cornstarch slurry from above.

Why is my cauliflower mash grainy?

If your cauliflower is grainy, it’s likely that some of the florets were undercooked. Be sure to cut the cauliflower into equal-sized florets to ensure it all cooks at the same rate. This will ensure a smooth final result.

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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover mashed cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a pot set over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring frequently, until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Freeze this cauliflower in individual portions in Ziplock bags for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this garlic mashed cauliflower with anything you’d serve traditional potatoes with! Beef tenderloin, honey baked ham, baked Caesar chicken, herb crusted salmon, Parmesan crusted tilapia, and smoked turkey breast are some of my favorites! Add a side of roasted vegetables or a spinach berry salad for a rounded meal.

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5-Star Review

“Oh my goodness these came out amazing! I’ve been looking for a way to make cauliflower mashed with a creamier texture and this was it! Thank you!” – Lisa R.

Recipe

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Recipe

4.57 from 82 votes

Prep: 20 minutes minutes

Cook: 2 minutes minutes

Total: 22 minutes minutes

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Serves4

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Learn how to make cauliflower "mashed potatoes" for a healthier side with all the flavor. This Garlic Mashed Cauliflower recipe won't disappoint!

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Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower chopped into small florets
  • 3 ounces low-fat cream cheese (⅜ brick)
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter (¼ stick)
  • teaspoons minced garlic sautéed if you aren't buying it already prepared
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary optional

Instructions

  • Bring a medium pot of water to boil. Once boiling, cook the cauliflower for 8-10 minutes or until fork tender. Remove and drain cauliflower.

    1 head cauliflower

    Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

  • Place cauliflower along with all other ingredients into a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy.

    3 ounces low-fat cream cheese, 2 tablespoons salted butter, 1½ teaspoons minced garlic, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

    Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • Cut the cauliflower as evenly as possible so that all of the florets cook at the same rate.
  • Be sure to let the cauliflower fully drain before blending.
  • If you want to make them even lower in calories and healthier, you can sub in Greek yogurt or vegan butter. Lots of options to make these your own.

Storage:Store mashed cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 148kcal (7%) Carbohydrates: 13g (4%) Protein: 6g (12%) Fat: 10g (15%) Saturated Fat: 6g (38%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0.2g Cholesterol: 27mg (9%) Sodium: 185mg (8%) Potassium: 690mg (20%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 5g (6%) Vitamin A: 307IU (6%) Vitamin C: 102mg (124%) Calcium: 83mg (8%) Iron: 1mg (6%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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More Cauliflower Recipes We Love

  • Cheesy Cauliflower au Gratin
  • Cauliflower Fried Rice
  • Loaded Cauliflower Bake
  • Roasted Cauliflower with Chimichurri

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Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep mashed cauliflower from being watery? ›

How Do You Keep Mashed Cauliflower from Being Watery? If your mashed cauliflower is too watery: Try adding in more cooked cauliflower to offset the liquid. You can also place the pot over medium-low heat and try to cook off some of the excess liquid. Stir frequently to prevent the mash from burning.

Why is mashed cauliflower better than mashed potatoes? ›

Compared to potatoes, cauliflower has less than half the calories per the same 100 gram serving. (source) Cauliflower has only 3 grams of “net carbs” per 100 gram serving, while potatoes have 14 grams of net carbs. (Net carbs = total carbohydrates – total fiber.)

How do you firm up mashed cauliflower? ›

You can add a litle softened cream cheese to the pot in the final step and stir until melted. Or you can add a keto thickener like glucomannan or xanthan gum. Be sure to whisk it in well when the mashed cauliflower is hot. You don't need more than about ¼ teaspoon per head of cauliflower.

How to make cauliflower puree Gordon Ramsay? ›

Remove the cauliflower stalks and cut them into small pieces. Heat the butter and milk in a pan and stew the cauliflower in it until softened. Add the cream and return to a high temperature. Immediately strain and liquidise the cauliflower then season and pass through a fine chinois.

What do you add to cauliflower to thicken mash? ›

Here are some popular options:
  1. Cream or Milk: Incorporate heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk to add creaminess to mashed cauliflower. Gradually add small amounts until you achieve the desired thickness.
  2. Butter: Butter contributes richness and helps achieve a smoother texture. ...
  3. Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream:
Apr 11, 2023

Why do you soak cauliflower in salt water? ›

Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

Is cauliflower a carb or protein? ›

In 1 cup of chopped cauliflower, you'll get 5.3 g of total carbs, 3.2 g of net carbs, 0.3 g of fat, and 2.1 g of protein, per the USDA. Not to mention, you get 320 mg of potassium, making this vegetable a good source of the nutrient.

Why do restaurant mashed potatoes taste better? ›

Instead of regular milk, pro chefs generally use a generous helping of buttermilk and plenty of half-and-half or (even better) heavy cream in their potatoes. If you think the bartenders up front are pouring heavy, they've got nothing on the cooks in the back who are in charge of the mashed potatoes.

Why is my cauliflower mash grainy? ›

Why is my cauliflower mash grainy? If you don't cook the cauliflower through so it's nice and soft, it will be grainy when you blend it up. It also could be grainy if you don't blend it enough. These aren't mashed potatoes so you can blend for as long as it takes to get them nice and creamy.

Why do you add milk to boiled cauliflower? ›

If you want it to remain as white as possible boil it in milk, not water. Yes, all milk. The milk acts as a way to preserve the natural white coloring. If you are okay with it not being super brilliant white, you can do half milk/half water.

Should you rinse cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you know you are going to steam or pan roast the florets, go ahead and cut them down into florets and wash in a colander. Otherwise, for cooking as a whole head or 1/2 head, clean under running water and pat dry.

Why is my baked cauliflower mushy? ›

First, take care not to overcrowd your pan; if the cauliflower is packed in rim-to-rim, the moisture will not be able to escape as the florets cook, which will result in soft steamed cauliflower instead of roasted. Next, don't be overly generous with the oil — a light coating is what we're after here.

Why is my cauliflower cheese always watery? ›

Cauliflower cheese can go watery if the cauliflower is overcooked. Overcooked cauliflower releases water, which will seep into the rest of the dish. So even if your sauce was thick when it went in the oven, if its in there too long, the water from the cauliflower will cause it to go watery.

How do you puree cauliflower to thicken soup? ›

But how can you achieve an indulgent, thick texture using only vegetables? Frugal Cooking recommends adding cauliflower, which provides a silky texture without all the fat found in cream. Just blend cooked cauliflower with your broth and add the mixture to your soup.

How do you squeeze water out of riced cauliflower? ›

It really is as simple as putting the cooked and cooled cauliflower on a clean flour sack towel , wrapping it up and squeezing all the water out. I like to use flour sack towels because they're large and really thin, which makes them easy to squeeze tight and get out as much water as possible.

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