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This creamy Mashed Cauliflower recipe will make you forget that mashed potatoes even exist! A comforting, buttery, garlicky cauliflower mash recipe that is easy to make and complete in under 20 minutes!
Need something quicker? Grab my recipe for Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower. 😍
Creamy Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
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 celebrated not just as a substitute for traditional mashed potatoes but also for its great taste and texture. Pureed or mashed cauliflower is a savory side dish that is ready in under 30 minutes, and can be served with a range of main courses, from a perfectly cooked new york strip steak to a succulent roast chicken, and to classic pork schnitzel. Flavored with savory butter, aromatic garlic, tangy buttermilk, and a sprinkle of cheese, it’s a dish you’ll be proud to set on your dinner table any night of the week.
Why We Love Mashed Cauliflower
- Potato Alternative: Swapping out potatoes for cauliflower is a genius way to make better food choices without sacrificing flavor.
- Versatility: Mashed cauliflower is an excellent choice for those who want a unique and lighter side dish. It pairs with a variety of main courses, including roasts and seafood. It’s also kid-friendly, making it a versatile option for family meals.
- Quick and Easy: In a world where every minute counts, having a side dish that’s both delicious and ready in 15 minutes is invaluable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Whether aiming for a quicker homemade meal, seeking variety, or just wanting a mouthwatering side dish, this cauliflower mash recipe ticks all the boxes. Grab these simple ingredients and get started!
- Cauliflower florets: You can either roast or boil the florets.
- Butter: Adds richness and creaminess.
- Garlic
- Buttermilk: Helps to achieve the creamy consistency in the cauliflower mash, and it adds tangy flavor to the dish.
- Parmesan cheese: Brings a salty flavor to the mix.
- Italian Seasoning, Salt, & Black Pepper: To enhance the flavors.
How to Make Mashed Cauliflower
Roasted or Boiled? The Choice is Yours! How you prep your cauliflower can change the dish’s entire vibe. Roasting provides a rich, deeper flavor, taking the dish to a whole new level. On the flip side, boiling is your best friend when you’re pressed for time.
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.
Optional Add-Ins
- Cheesy Cauliflower Mash: Add a combination of cheddar, mozzarella, or gruyere for a cheesy mash.
- Oils: Whether it’s a touch of truffle oil, aromatic garlic, or spicy chili, oils can enrich the dish.
- Green onion slices Or chopped chives: Perfect for a mild, oniony flavor, it’s a zesty addition for a mild bite.
- Diced bacon: Salty and crispy, a meaty contrast to the smooth mash.
Immersion Blender, Traditional Blender, Or Potato Masher
You can 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.
Recipe Tips
- Draining is Crucial: Ensure the cauliflower is thoroughly drained after boiling or steaming. Excess moisture will make your mash too watery. A trick to make mashed cauliflower as creamy as possible is to let the steamed cauliflower florets cool down after you’ve drained them. This way, the cauliflower will dry as it cools, absorbing some of that moisture.
- Roasting for Depth: Roasting the cauliflower before mashing can add a deeper, nuttier flavor. This method might take longer but it is worth it for the added taste.
- Temperature Matters: Serve your cauliflower mash warm. If it cools down and you need to reheat it, use a microwave or stovetop, but avoid overcooking.
- Taste Test before serving! Always taste the recipe for seasonings and adjust accordingly.
- Creamy Dream: Swap buttermilk with heavy cream or crème fraîche for an ultra-luxurious texture and taste.
Serving Suggestions
You can pretty much serve mashed cauliflower wherever you would normally serve mashed potatoes. I love serving mashed cauliflower with this easy meatloaf (the instant pot meatloaf version works, too!) or air fryer steak. Another classic pairing could definitely be our juicy baked chicken breasts or my beef bourguignon!
Storage
You can store completely cooled mashed cauliflower in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir and reheat before serving.
More Cauliflower Recipes
- Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice
- Chicken Cauliflower Rice Casserole
- Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Bites
- Cauliflower Cheese Soup
- Ground Beef Cauliflower Rice Casserole
ENJOY!
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Mashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 8 cups cauliflower florets, about 1 head cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, or any other dried herbs or seasonings that you prefer
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- If Roasting The Cauliflower Florets: Preheat the oven to 450˚F. Toss the cauliflower florets with a tablespoon of olive oil; spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 18 to 20 minutes or until tender.If Boiling The Cauliflower Florets: 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 with a lid and cook for 10 minutes or until tender. DRAIN WELL and set aside for 3 to 4 minutes to steam-dry.
- Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, melt 1/2 tablespoon butter. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Stir steamed (or roasted) cauliflower florets into 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, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Notes
- Drain: After boiling or steaming, drain the cauliflower thoroughly to avoid a mushy, watery cauliflower mash.
- Let the steamed cauliflower florets cool down for a few minutes after you’ve drained them. This way, the cauliflower will steam-dry as it cools, and it will absorb some of that water.
- Roasting: Though it takes longer to make the cauliflower mash, I prefer to roast the cauliflower florets because we like the added depth of flavor.
- Cheese it Up: Adding your favorite shredded cheese will add a richer taste.
- Texture Preference: For a more rustic mash, don’t blend it too smooth. Leave some chunks to give it a hearty feel.
- Out of buttermilk? Grab my recipe for Homemade Buttermilk.
- If using a traditional blender, you will want to blend the cauliflower in batches because hot liquids can expand and explode when you blend them.
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.
Can you freeze the mashed cauliflower
, I didnโt add milk or cheese due to my strict diet and it was still delicious ๐
Yay, I’m glad you liked it!! โบ๏ธ Yes, since you didn’t use any dairy, you can freeze it for up to three months. You can reheat it in a saucepan over medium-low to low heat.
Can this be made ahead of time and reheated?
Technically, yes, but the cauliflower may release some extra moisture while it sits.
So creamy and silky! I didnโt realize how easy it was to make this. Never buying the frozen one again.
That’s great! I am very happy you enjoyed this recipe!! Thank YOU! ๐
i have tried mashed Cauliflower before but without the buttermilk and this was fantastic. Plus I made the Creamy Parmesan Chicken with it and we put the sauce over the Cauliflower. DELICIOUS! Love your website
Is there a way to convert to using cauliflower rice for this recipe? Have some in the freezer that I need to use up.
Hi! I would first cook the cauliflower rice for about 4 to 5 minutes in a skillet, then just follow the rest of the recipe, but you might need to adjust the ingredients slightly because I don’t know how much cauliflower you are using. Start with smaller amounts for every ingredient, especially buttermilk, and then add more if needed after blending.I hope this helps.
Looks so creamy and tasty! Can’t wait to dive into these, adding to my list of must makes!
This looks just like mashed potatoes! I’m in love with this recipe!
These were incredible! I was amazed at how similar these were to potatoes!
This made the best side with our grill steak last night! My family is already requesting it again!
Wow, I have never thought of mashing cauliflower โ that is so genius and with the hint of garlic I canโt wait to try this recipe out. Yum!