Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

These cauliflower mashed potatoes are just as smooth and creamy as classic ones! Ready in 20 minutes, they're a delicious, easy low carb side dish.

Don’t tell Jack, but we probably won’t have classic mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving this year. I’m planning to make these cauliflower mashed potatoes instead!

That’s because we’re celebrating with his parents, who eat a low carb diet. I wanted to create a rich, creamy alternative to mashed potatoes that everyone at the table would enjoy, and after testing and tweaking this recipe, I think it’s going to be perfect.

These cauliflower mashed potatoes are smooth, creamy, and flavorful, made with Parmesan cheese, butter, garlic, and sour cream. I won’t tell you that they taste exactly like potatoes (they do have a bit of a cauliflower flavor), but they are so delicious that I think any potato fan would love them.

Serve them for your holiday dinner this year, or make them for a tasty weeknight side dish. These easy cauliflower mashed potatoes are ready in 20 minutes!

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

• Cauliflower, of course! It makes up the base of this light and creamy mash. I typically use one large or two small heads of cauliflower here, but I think frozen florets would work well too!
• Parmesan cheese – It adds savory, nutty flavor.
• Sour cream – Jack loves his regular mashed potatoes with sour cream, so I figured it would be a hit in these cauliflower mashed potatoes as well. 🙂 It makes them ultra-creamy and adds rich, tangy flavor. I haven’t tried it, but I think cream cheese would also work.
• Butter – For extra richness.
• Fresh garlic and chives – They add sharp, savory bite. You’ll blend the garlic into the cauliflower and use the chives for garnish.
• And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

You can find the complete recipe with measurements at the bottom of this post, but for now, here’s a quick overview of how it goes:

Start by boiling the cauliflower. Break or cut the cauliflower into large florets and boil it in a large pot of salted water until knife-tender, about 10 minutes.

Then, blend. Drain the cauliflower and transfer it to a food processor. Add the Parmesan, sour cream, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper and pulse until smooth.

Season to taste and serve! So easy. 🙂

What to Serve with Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

• On top: I love these creamy cauliflower mashed potatoes topped with butter and chives! They’d be great with my mushroom gravy too.
• Alongside: For a holiday meal, serve this recipe with classic dishes like green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and roasted Brussels sprouts. Or pair it with a simply cooked protein for an easy weeknight dinner.

More Favorite Cauliflower Recipes

If you love this recipe, try one of these easy cauliflower dishes next:

• Mashed Cauliflower (a different mashed cauliflower recipe with roasted garlic and less dairy!)
• Cauliflower Rice
• Cauliflower Fried Rice
• Roasted Cauliflower

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Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

rate this recipe:

5 from 9 votes

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Serves 6

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This cauliflower mashed potatoes recipe is a delicious vegetable side dish! A low carb alternative to classic mashed potatoes, it's rich, smooth, and creamy. We love it with butter and chives on top.

Ingredients

• 1 large cauliflower, about 2 pounds 4 ounces, broken into large florets
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for serving
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Chopped fresh chives, for garnish

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Instructions

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the cauliflower until knife-tender, about 10 minutes.
• Drain and transfer to the bowl of a food processor. Add the Parmesan, sour cream, butter, garlic, salt, and several grinds of pepper and process until creamy, light, and smooth, stopping and scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula as necessary.
• Season to taste and serve topped with more butter and chives.

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Nutrition Facts

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Amount Per Serving

Calories 96 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Trans Fat 0.1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 18mg6%

Sodium 372mg16%

Potassium 318mg9%

Carbohydrates 7g2%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 190IU4%

Vitamin C 47mg57%

Calcium 107mg11%

Iron 0.5mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.