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!

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

4.59 from 81 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 to 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.

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.

Why is mashed cauliflower better than mashed potatoes? ›

Nutritionally, cauliflower is lighter in calories and carbs than potatoes and is more nutrient-dense. That's why it's popular among the low carb and weight loss communities.

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

What does soaking cauliflower in milk do? ›

When blanching or cooking cauliflower, keep it white by adding 1 cup of milk. The milk will also give the cauliflower a sweeter flavor.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. 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.

Why is my cauliflower not softening? ›

"When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk. Be sure to check them before you turn the oven off and give them extra time if they are still too firm.

How do you squeeze water out of cauliflower? ›

Transfer the riced cauliflower to the center of a clean dish towel. Arrange the towel filled with cauliflower over a small bowl, then squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the cooked cauliflower. It might not feel like there's excess moisture at first, but you may be surprised by how much liquid is released!

Why is my cauliflower puree bitter? ›

All the vegetables form the Brassica family have a bitter component to their flavour. Brassica is the family that includes cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. You can actually remove quite a lot of it by leeching it out in to the water, or by using salt.

Why is my cauliflower mash grainy? ›

Cook the Cauliflower Until Tender.

When you're cooking your cauliflower florets, make sure they're fork-tender before removing them from the pot. If the cauliflower isn't cooked long enough, it can make your mashed cauliflower grainy.

Why is my cauliflower bake watery? ›

Most recipes recommend blanching the cauliflower in boiling water for a few minutes for this initial stage, but it's important to pay close attention to this step. The watery problem happens when the cauliflower is either overcooked or not drained well enough after a quick blanching.

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.

Is Bob Evans mashed cauliflower healthy? ›

Made with wholesome, quality ingredients and flavors, Bob Evans Mashed Cauliflower is designed to support your lifestyle, without compromising the delicious taste you'd expect from a homemade dish.

What's better, cauliflower or broccoli? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

How do you remove water from cauliflower? ›

The trick with cauliflower is: Don't cook it till is too soft. just 4 or 5 minutes but taste to be sure. then drain into a colander, (sieve with big holes) and leave to drain for a few minutes, asking every minute. tap dry with a little kitchen paper or a clean tea towel.

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 make runny mashed thicker? ›

You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.

How do you dry soggy cauliflower? ›

Dry at 140 degrees F (60°C) in an oven or dehydrator. If necessary, turn large pieces over every 3 to 4 hours during the drying period. Vegetables can scorch easily toward the end of drying, so monitor more closely as drying nears completion.

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