Mashed Cauliflower and potatoes is a great way to lighten up your favorite mashed potato recipe without sacrificing any flavor. The roasted garlic adds a ton of flavor and ensures no one misses all the butter and cream. This dish will be a hit on your holiday table and is one of our family's favorite side dishes.
The problem I have found with many cauliflower recipes is that they can be bland and sometimes have a weird consistency. Personally, I am all about the cauliflower mash, but some of my loved ones aren’t as crazy about them as I am. So to compromise, I often make this recipe which combines cauliflower and potatoes to make a lower calorie, but still potato filled mashed side dish. This version is simple but you can add cheese, sour cream, fresh herbs , or any other favorite mashed potato mix-ins.
Now that you’re sold on this cauliflower recipe, let’s look at how we create this simple side dish. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. While you’re waiting for the water to boil wash your potatoes and cauliflower. Once boiling, add the potatoes and cauliflower and allow them to cook for 8-10 minutes or until soft. Drain the potatoes and cauliflower in a colander and set the water aside, you may need it later.
Mash the potatoes and cauliflower using a hand masher for a thicker consistency. You can also add the potatoes and cauliflower to a blender for a super creamy option.
Once all your ingredients are well blended and your cauliflower mashed potatoes are complete, feel free to add additional toppings of your choice. Or place them on the side for your friends or family to add at their discretion. These toppings can include extra roasted garlic, cheese, sour cream, butter, chives, or other mashed potato toppings.
This cauliflower mashed potato recipe will quickly become a fan favorite! It has a bold flavor, great consistency, and hidden nutritional goodness!
Tips and Tricks for Making Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
- Depending on the type of potato you use, it can be easier to peel the skin from the potato once it is boiled, if you do not like the skin. But be very careful as it will be hot!
- Frozen is fine! What does this mean? If you are in the freezer section and run across frozen cauliflower, give this recipe a shot with those items. You will want to reduce the cook time for the cauliflower, but it could provide the same texture and taste you are desiring
- The most important step in this recipe is fully drying the cauliflower and potatoes. This simple step ensures that your dish has the consistency of traditional mashed potatoes. Without this step, the cauliflower retains lots of water and can lead to a watery, flavorless dish.
Can I make this in advance?
- If you have this recipe on the menu for later in the week, you can pre-wash and cut the potatoes and cauliflower during a time where you are not busy to reduce prep time prior to the meal.
- For even easier meal prep, make the entire recipe and keep it in the fridge until mealtime. This can be made 3-4 days in advance and can also be frozen. When reheating, you just might need to add a touch of milk or broth to keep it nice and creamy.
Flavor Ideas
- Potatoes: You can use almost any potato in this recipe and choose to make it with the skins or without the skins. It works with sweet potatoes too.
- Fresh Herbs: Consider adding some chopped chives, thyme, rosemary, or parsley to the potatoes to add some extra flavor.
- Cheese: We love cheese around here and I often time will throw in some Parmesan, cheddar, or goat cheese to my mashed cauliflower.
Make It Even Lighter
- If you’d like to cut the calories even more, choose a non-dairy milk option in place of the milk. Season with sea salt or another low sodium spice.
- Add more cauliflower than potatoes. Try for a 25-75 percent mixture of potatoes to cauliflower.
- Cauliflower is not the only part of this recipe where you can save on calories and add nutrients. Consider using sweet potatoes in place of regular potatoes. You will increase color and Vitamin A along with other fantastic nutrients if you make this swap.
What to Serve with Cauliflower Mash
Cauliflower can be paired as a low carb and calorie side dish for most meals. This recipe is great served with meatloaf, baked or grilled fish, or your favorite baked chicken recipe. Any recipe you would normally serve regular mashed potatoes with would pair well with this recipe. Also, consider serving alongside asparagus or with cooked mushrooms as a topping.
Cauliflower Benefits & Nutrition
Cauliflower does not get enough credit for the powerful vegetable that it is. Blame it on the plain color or bland flavor when eaten raw, but this veggie should be held in high esteem. Cauliflower provides an abundance of phytochemicals which include carotenoids, tocopherols, and ascorbic acid. This combination is shown to have many health benefits. Some of the biggest claims cauliflower is able to make include; anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting, reduce weight gain, and help prevent heart disease. A serving of cauliflower, one cup, provides nearly 80 percent of the daily value of Vitamin C and 20 percent of Vitamin K while only adding approximately 25 calories to your meal.
Looking for more cauliflower recipes
- Garlic Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
- Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
- Slow Cooker Cheesy Cauliflower Soup
- Garlic Cauliflower and Sausage Pasta
- One Pot Cauliflower Piccata Pasta