This easy mashed cauliflower gives mashed potatoes a run for it’s money! This healthy vegetarian side dish is creamy, flavorful, and gloriously gluten-free.
This month will forever be known as the December I ate my weight in cauliflower, and loved every second of it.
Rarely do I ever need to test a potential recipe 5 times before blogging it, but when it came to this one, I couldn’t stop making it!!! We love this easy mashed cauliflower and I’m so super excited to share it with y’all today.
Instead of making it the same way each time, I changed a few small things in each batch and can honestly say I loved every. single. one. My favorite version is posted below and I can totally vouch for substitutions with coconut milk, butter, and even greek yogurt. They all work marvelously!
It is also absolutely AMAZING over roasted spaghetti squash — by far my favorite way to eat it! I add a little of my favorite spaghetti sauce to the plate and stir it all together.
If you’re a little behind on your own personal love affair with cauliflower, give this cruciferous wonder another chance! Despite its plain, colorless facade, cauliflower is a nutrient powerhouse! It’s a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, b6, and fiber. Sign me up!
Easy Mashed Cauliflower
The easy peasy recipe below makes approx. 2.5 cups of tasty mashed cauliflower.
Feel free to double the recipe if you’re serving a crowd for the holidays. It’s oh so delicious and the leftovers are great the next day too!
Enjoy!
Easy Mashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt, plus extra to taste
- ½ cup of half and half
- ⅛ tsp white pepper (black pepper will work too!)
- parsley and paprika for topping, dried or fresh
Instructions
- Cut + separate into large florets. Blanch for 15 minutes in shallow, boiling water. (just enough to cover the tops) I’m in the habit of seasoning the water with some freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of kosher salt — feel free to follow suit! To maintain texture and avoid watery cauliflower, toss strained cauliflower into an ice bath immediately after blanching. Allow to cool and strain, placing cauliflower in either a pot or directly into your food processor. [see note below]
- Side Note: If you’re making this for yourself and/or other adults, you can easily skip the food processor and simply mash the cauliflower with a masher or fork just like you would with potatoes. Break out the processor if you’re making this for texturally-challened or picky children to give the cauliflower a smooth, whipped consistency. Since making it with the processor the first time, I now just fork-mash the cauli and call it a day.
- Choose your mashing method [above] and heat on medium-low on the stove top in a small pot or pan. Add 1/2 cup of half and half, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Next add your white pepper. Stir to incorporate and taste. Adjust seasonings as needed. I always add extra garlic powder and a little extra salt + pepper.
- Garnish with chopped chives or dried parsley + paprika and serve steaming hot aside your favorite meal or atop a bed of roasted spaghetti squash.
Notes
Nutrition
If you get a chance to try this easy mashed cauliflower, let me know!
ou can leave me a comment here (LOVE checking those daily!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creations. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
Need a dairy free mashed cauliflower?
For a vegan and dairy-free version of this marvelous mashed cauliflower, use canned or refrigerated coconut milk instead of the dairy! It’s really good!
You can also use canned coconut cream (so thick and creamy!) if you’d like. To make up for the lack of dairy, you can add a little extra flavor with a drizzle of olive oil or a teeny bit of earth balance if desired. Fresh herbs make a tasty addition to. Adjust seasoning to taste and feel free to add in extras like nutritional yeast and additional fresh herbs.
Go Greek!
If you’re a fan of sour cream and chive mashed potatoes, add a little plain greek yogurt and freshly chopped green onions to the recipe or even as a later addition to jazz up leftovers.
The key to making veggies delicious is to cater them to your own personal tastes.
Think about what you like best about a dish. Do you prefer dishes that are garlicky? Buttery? Creamy? Chunky? Take what you like about food and use that knowledge to enhance everything you make. Take a favorite veg-centric meal or side and make it a different way every. single. time. You’ll be surprised to see what you end up loving!
Towards the end of each veggie experiment, taste your result. Take the time to figure out what flavor you want to highlight. I always add more garlic and sneak in a dash of paprika +/or cayenne pepper to nearly all my dishes because I adore the flavor. You may want a little extra salt and pepper, or perhaps some chives or parsley. add a sprinkle at a time and taste until its your idea of foodie perfection.
crazy for cauliflower?
- Chopped Cauliflower Broccoli Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
- Broccoli Cauliflower Brussels Sprout Gratin
- Chimichurri Cauliflower Steaks
- Instant Pot Butternut Cauliflower Soup
- Mexican Cauliflower Rice
If you get a chance to try this easy mashed cauliflower recipe, let me know!
Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation! I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
Questions & Reviews
Nice easy way to make mashed cauliflower.
So glad you’re loving it Robin!
Thank you for all the tips included with the instructions for this mashed cauliflower. I’ve never started from a head of cauliflower and instead buy it as a bag of crumbles or rice. Yum!
Happy to help Emilie! You can make the mashed cauliflower from the pre-prepped cauliflower rice or just save money with a full head of cauliflower! WOOT!
a coworker suggested today and it’s something he’s done … add spinach to the mashed cauliflower and it gives off the taste of creamed spinach w/out all the cals! I think I would top it off with some nutrional yeast too!
Hey Rohan!!!!
Spaghetti squash was one of my least favorite veggies until I learned how to highlight the flavor and make it taste delish! My husband still insists it looks like brains but he’ll eat it with his eyes closed =) haha!
To roast, I normally slice the squash in half lenghtwise, place face down on a cookie sheet with a teeny bit of olive oil rubbed on it, and bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes or until the squash is tender enough to “shred” with a fork. Over-cooking will still yield yummy results but you end up with mushy squash so I usually test it about 20 minutes in to see if it cooked fast. The time will vary on the size, ya know? =)
I roast it, season it with a teeny bit of salt and pepper, top it with the mashed cauli and then pour some warm marinara or red sauce on the sideto add an extra spike of veggies and flavor =) If you have a TJ Maxx, Homegoods, Marshalls, or Whole Foods near you there is a sauce called “Daves Gourmet Red Heirloom Tomato Sauce” <— worth every penny of the $5 they charge for it. Its HEAVENLY with this dish and on just about anything! =)
Hope that helps! =) xoxo
Jenn,
I can’t wait to try this recipe, it looks delicious! BUT. I also want to try it with your suggestion of putting it on top of roasted spaghetti squash. I am a newbie to spaghetti squash. How do you roast yours?
I LOVE cauliflower <3 it’s like my new favorite veggie. I’ll have to try this! Also, are you aware that cauliflower comes in different colors? I’ve seen purple, orange, green, and white. Though the colored is twice the price!
Whitney
Haha yeah I’m super tempted to try this with golden, green, or purple cauliflower! Too fun!
Yum yum yum. Looks amazing! Glad you are feeling better lady!
i’m glad you posted this..i’ve been wanting to try it!
Love this! October was my cauliflower heavy month but I think I’m ready to dive back in with this recipe!
I’m glad you’re feeling better and this looks SO delicious! I love it! I’m a huge fan of cauliflower and it’s been a while since I’ve had it mashed!
i can’t even believe that i’m reading this recipe!!!!!!!!! i think that i might have just found inspiration for tonight’s dinner. if i do, indeed, concoct this amazing looking dish, then i will certainly link back to your site! wowsa! <3
It looks like mashed potatoes!
One of my favorite things to eat. Love the little changes that make this even more amazing!
awwww thanks girl! LMK what you think! ooh! and add the liquid slowly, depending on the cauli you may need less than I did! <3
mwah!
ahhh mashed white beans and leeks? SOLD! and I haven’t added pesto yet but totally will try it out! Thanks Anne! <3
Hope you love it!!! make sure you don’t over-blanch (mushy leads to excess liquid and it goes limp) and add any of your fav mashed potato mix ins! <3 xoxo
Blanching vs. steaming should help. I think the trick is to prevent it from giving up too much liquid and getting soggy and then straining/draining along the way as well! I’ve heard of people using thick heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, and even corn starch to thicken the cauli but the method I use gives me a great texture so I stay away from the higher fat add-ins. I’m always here if you have random questions!
MWAH! love ya M!
Oooh, looks gorgeous! The colors in your pictures are just so pretty 🙂 I like mashed cauliflower a lot, especially with garlic.
I LOVE cauliflower, steamed with broccoli and a wee bit of butter it is the most amazing thing in the world. I tried making a cauliflower mash a few months ago and was underwhelmed. I think part of it was that after steaming it there was just too much water and it had a seperated, watery consistency. Blech. Yours looks like it turned out so well! I am going to have to give it another try I think, because I absolutely love the idea!
I really like plain old simple roasted cauliflower!
So glad you’re feeling better, Jenn!! I love cauliflower. My grandmother used to make sour cauliflower as a side dish. We always loved it. I think my sister has the recipe. Now I want some! This looks yummy!
Every time I see this on a new blog, I keep reminding myself I need to try this! it sounds great! 🙂
yum! i’ve heard of mashing cauliflower instead of potatoes before, but never tried it. this looks like a delicious version!
i’m glad you’re feeling better.
Looks super yummy! 🙂 I was actually just about to roast up some cauliflower as a snack! I’ll definitely have to try mashing it one of these days.
YES! I’ve always wanted to try this, but really didn’t know how to make it. Thank you!!!
I loved mashed cauliflower! Have you tried it with pesto yet? Very yummy! Biggest Loser had a recipe the other night and they had mashed white beans and I think leaks in it. I copied the recipe but haven’t made it yet.
Happy you’re feeling better in time for the new year. I adore cauliflowers and this is just awesome:)Happy New Year!
yummmy! I am seriously in love with this recipe 🙂
Yum!! I’ve recently been learning how glorious cauliflower is in place of potatoes. These look super yummy!
Ooh I love mashed cauliflower – I hd it with celeriac over the holidays – yummy.
Yuuuuuummmm. I love mashed cauli! This looks like a great recipe :). Glad you’re starting to feel better!
nom nom nom, I just roasted a head of cauliflower today!!! Now I need to buy another one to mash ASAP!
OMG! Mashed cauliflower is amazing! I need to make it more often!
Love your photos! Can’t wait to try this!
I haven’t made cauliflower in awhile, but I do love it! Looks great to me 🙂
I’ve always been skeptical to try these kind of recipes to sub the real thing thinking it really wouldn’t be a complete sub..but it’s great to know this really works! Thanks!
I have never tried the mashed cauliflower/faux potato thing and I really have no idea why. With coconut milk sounds to die for!
I like roasted cauliflower best, but I used to make it this way a lot. Cauliflower is so underrated!
I make this all the time…soooo good!
This is my favorite cali recipie..
http://thehinzadventures.blogspot.com/2011/08/cauliflower-and-chickpea-stew-with.html
My hubby even loves it and he isnt a big C fan at all!
xoxo from Trinidad
Yummy! I loved mashed cauliflower. It is soooo good. =) Thanks for sharing!
This sounds yummy! I wonder what my husband would think about it if I made it & didn’t tell him what it was 🙂