This Creamy Mashed Cauliflower recipe will make you forget that mashed potatoes even exist! A comforting, buttery and garlicky mashed cauliflower recipe that is VERY easy to make and it’s done in just 15 minutes! It’s low in carbs but BIG on flavor.
Need something quicker? Grab my recipe for Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower. 😍
Creamy Low Carb Mashed Cauliflower
Take out your blenders, friends, we’re about to whip up some cauliflower into a creamy mashed amazingness! Bursting with garlic flavor, this buttery Cauliflower Mash is more nutritious but just as delicious as its cousin, mashed potatoes!
Pureed or mashed cauliflower is a wonderful treat for those following a Low Carb lifestyle, but it’s just as great for anyone that is looking to eat healthier. Besides, bikini season is at the door, so… 🙄
How to Make Mashed Cauliflower (Two Ways)
Flavored with butter, garlic, buttermilk, and cheese, this makes a simple, yet very tasty side dish for a weeknight dinner.
Before we start, you want to decide whether you’d like to roast the cauliflower OR steam it/boil it.
- If roasting, you’ll need more time, BUT roasted cauliflower is da bomb because it adds a ton of flavor to the overall dish.
- On the other hand, BOILING the florets is quicker! It takes like 10 minutes, which is half the time of roasted. So I leave that up to you – boiled or roasted, you decide.
Using Roasted Cauliflower Florets:
- Take a head of cauliflower, cut into florets, mix with olive oil and roast in the oven for 20 minutes at 450˚F.
- When cauliflower is done, melt butter and sauté the garlic; add garlic to prepared cauliflower florets and mix in buttermilk, parmesan cheese, and seasonings.
- Grab a handheld immersion blender and blend to a desired consistency.
Using Boiled Cauliflower Florets:
- Take a head of cauliflower, cut into florets, and boil in salted water for 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain.
- When cauliflower is done, melt butter and sauté the garlic; add garlic to prepared cauliflower florets and mix in buttermilk, parmesan cheese, and seasonings.
- Grab a handheld immersion blender and blend to a desired consistency.
Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly. I almost always add more salt… and cheese.
Do I have to use an immersion blender?
You can also use a traditional blender, just as I have done with my Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower. However, I find that it’s easier to get to that desired consistency when I use an immersion blender. I like my mashed cauliflower to have a bit of texture. Creamy, yes, but a bit of chunky and rustic, too. If using a traditional blender, you will need to blend the cauliflower in a couple of batches, maybe even three, depending on the size of the blender.
If you’d like a more textured cauliflower mash, use a potato masher.
Tips for the Best Mashed Cauliflower
- For creamy results: A trick to make mashed cauliflower as creamy as can be is to let the steamed cauliflower florets cool down after you’ve drained them. This way the cauliflower will dry as it cools and it will absorb some of that water. You DO NOT want watery and wet cauliflower, trust me. Been there, done that. 🤦♀️
- TASTE TEST before serving! Always taste the recipe for seasonings and adjust accordingly.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving mashed cauliflower with oven-baked meatloaf (the instant version works too!) or air fryer steak. Another classic pairing could definitely be juicy baked chicken breasts! You can pretty much serve mashed cauliflower wherever you would normally serve mashed potatoes.
Can I Store Extras for Later?
Believe it or not, yes! You can store completely cooled mashed cauliflower in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Want More Cauliflower Recipes?
- Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice
- Chicken Cauliflower Rice Casserole
- Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Bites
- Cauliflower Cheese Soup
ENJOY!
TOOLS USED IN THIS RECIPE
Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 8 cups cauliflower florets, about 1 head cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning, or any other dried seasonings that you prefer
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- IF ROASTING THE CAULIFLOWER: Preheat oven to 450˚F. Toss the cauliflower florets with a tablespoon of olive oil; spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, or until tender.
- IF BOILING THE CAULIFLOWER: Fill a large frying pan with 1/4 inch water; add 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Add cauliflower florets; cover the pan and cook for 10 minutes, or until tender and soft. DRAIN WELL and set aside for 3 minutes to steam-dry.
- In a large frying pan (use the same pan that you used for the cauliflower, just wipe it down) melt 1/2 tablespoon butter.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Stir steamed (or roasted) cauliflower florets to the pan with the garlic.
- Add remaining butter and buttermilk.
- Grab the immersion blender and blend to a desired consistency.
- Stir in parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly. Add more butter or buttermilk to make it creamier.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley.
- Serve.
Notes
- Out of buttermilk? Grab my recipe for HOMEMADE BUTTERMILK
- Let the steamed cauliflower florets cool down for 3 minutes after you’ve drained them. This way the cauliflower will steam-dry as it cools and it will absorb some of that water.
- If using a traditional blender, you will need to blend the cauliflower in batches.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
