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Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes (Mock) – Low Carb!

June 23, 2013 by Sandra Shaffer 19 Comments

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Cauliflower mashed potatoes is the ultimate low carb comfort food dish! This low-carb healthy alternative to starchy potatoes will fool the most discriminating taste buds! 

Mock Mashed Potatoes made with cauliflower

Mashed Cauliflower

I try to limit my starchy carbohydrate intake, and over the years have substituted some white carbs for wheat and whole grain, and since I do the grocery shopping and cooking, my family has adapted as well.

My meat and potato kind of guys are troupers though, they go with the flow and will eat whatever I cook.

Most of the time, anyway. Some switches take a little getting used to, like changing from white rice to brown rice.

Ok, my family really took some getting used to that swap.

My son now prefers brown rice, but it’s still not my Alan’s favorite.

I had some reservations swapping one of the comfort food darlings, mashed potatoes for “mock” mashed potatoes made from a veggie, cauliflower.

Mock Mashed Potatoes in a blue bowl with butter

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

But like I do often, I just make a new dish and it and see what kind of a reaction I get.

I was super excited that this cauliflower mashed potatoes recipe was an instant hit!

AND has become the preferred ‘tater side dish! No tweaking, and no leftovers!

Seriously, no one knew they were eating cauliflower instead of potatoes.

I’ve made this dish several different ways, adding butter and different spices, but sharing the recipe I keep going back to from the Food Network.

It really is hard to tell that this dish isn’t potatoes at all and made from cauliflower! They are that good!

How To Prepare Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

This recipe is very simple to make. First purchase the cauliflower. I prefer to buy a whole head of cauliflower (Farmer’s market if possible).

The difference between cutting the florets yourself opposed to purchasing it precut for me is in the freshness.

Bagged pre-cut cauliflower may show signs of browning and spotting. Cut those signs of aging off!

If you prefer the convenience of pre-cut (no judging here – been there!), you’ll need 3-4 cups of florets or about 1 1/2 bags prepared florets.

For preparing your own florets pick a medium sized (2 pounds) head of cauliflower.

Fresh cut cauliflower florets for cauliflower mashed potatoes recipe.

Wash And Cut The Cauliflower

There are two cooking methods when cooking the florets, so pick your preferred:

  1. Microwave – using a microwavable safe dish with a lid add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the dish. Cook on high for about 4-5 minutes.
  2. Steam – over a double boiler with about 1/2 cup of water for approximately 6-8 minutes or until tender.

Drain well and place pieces on a clean dish towel or paper towels and press gently to remove as mush moisture as possible.

In a food processor, blender puree hot cauliflower with cream cheese, parmesan, garlic, chicken base and pepper until consistency is smooth and fluffy.

Garnish as desired and serve immediately.

Pile on the extra veggies 🙂 I layered them in my meatloaf muffins and also serve an extra scoop on the side.

mock-mashed-potatoes-carb-free-side-dish-cauliflower-veggie
Muffin Meatloaf with Mock Mashed Potatoes

or serve with this low carb meatloaf!

Low Carb Cheeseburger meatloaf topped with sharp cheddar cheese #keto #cheese #hamburger | www.thefoodieaffair.com

Try this healthy alternative to mashed potatoes, and let me know if your family likes them as much as mine does!

More Cauliflower Recipes From The Foodie Affair

If you’re looking for more cauliflower dishes try this Easy Cauliflower Fried “Rice”, Open Faced Cheddar Melt, Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower, or this Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole.

Continue to Content
Yield: 6 servings

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes - Low Carb!

mashed cauliflower in a black serving bowl

Cauliflower mashed potatoes are a delicious alternative to a starchy based side dish. If you are looking for a way to cut some carbs from your diet, this is a tasty way to do it.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 medium head cauliflower cut into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
  • 1//4 cup parmesan, grated
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/8 teaspoon chicken base or bullion (I use Better Than Bouillon)
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • garnish - butter and chives (optional)

Instructions

  1. Microwave or cook cauliflower over boiling water for about 6 minutes. Drain well and place pieces on a clean dish towel or paper towels and press gently to remove as mush moisture as possible.
  2. In a food processor, blender puree hot cauliflower with cream cheese, parmesan, garlic, chicken base and pepper until consistency is smooth and fluffy.
  3. Garnish as desired and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 65Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 112mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 3g

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

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© Sandra Shaffer
Cuisine: American / Category: Side Dish
Mock Mashed Potatoes in a black bowl
Mock mashed potatoes made with cauliflower! This low-carb healthy alternative to starchy potatoes will fool the most discriminating taste buds! #Cauliflower #Ketodiet #lowcarb #sidedish | www.thefoodieaffair.com
Hugs Sandra Signature

 

Filed Under: Side Dish, Vegetable, Vegetarian Tagged With: cauliflower, keto recipe, low calorie, low carb, mock mashed potatoes, vegetable

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hotly Spiced

    June 24, 2013 at 1:36 am

    It certainly looks like mashed potato to me. My uni students are very anti carbs in the evening so this is a wonderful option. I didn’t know cauliflower could look so creamy xx

    Reply
    • Sandra

      June 25, 2013 at 5:52 am

      I try to limit my evening carbs too! I don’t feel deprived or feel like I’m missing out when I make these 🙂

      Reply
  2. Norma Chang

    June 24, 2013 at 11:15 pm

    Looks like the real mashed potato, glad it went over well with your family.

    Reply
    • Sandra

      June 25, 2013 at 5:49 am

      I’m glad everyone likes it too. We’re hooked on these “potatoes”!

      Reply
  3. Sandra

    June 25, 2013 at 5:49 am

    Oh, I like that, Fauxtatoes 🙂

    Reply
  4. Karen (Back Road Journal)

    June 25, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    I love the idea of adding cream cheese…I’ve just used cream when I have made them in the past.

    Reply
    • Sandra

      June 28, 2013 at 6:29 am

      Hi Karen! Since there is so much moisture in cauliflower, it really helps to have a little thicker cream. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

      Reply
  5. mary

    June 28, 2013 at 9:02 pm

    18 teaspoons of pepper?

    These look good!

    Reply
    • Sandra

      June 28, 2013 at 9:11 pm

      Whoops, typo! Now that would be way overboard. It should be 1/8th teaspoon. Will fix that right now. Thanks for the second set of eyes 🙂

      Reply
  6. Heather @ SugarDish(Me)

    July 4, 2013 at 3:58 am

    It’s been awhile since I’m made mashed cauliflower– we used to do this all the time! Yours looks soooo yummy! All whipped and delicious. Thanks, Sandra!!

    Reply
  7. Jackie

    January 9, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    Can you use frozen cauliflower for this

    Reply
    • Sandra Shaffer

      January 9, 2015 at 1:32 pm

      Hi Jackie! Yes, you can use frozen cauliflower for this recipe. It may have more water in them, so be sure to remove as much water as possible. Hope you love the flavor!

      Reply
  8. Carol A Gallagher

    March 18, 2017 at 2:43 pm

    I don’t have a food processor. What’s the best alternative?

    Reply
    • Sandra Shaffer

      March 18, 2017 at 8:20 pm

      A blender works just as well.

      Reply

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Hi! My name is Sandra. I’m a health enthusiast, a recipe tweaker, and a wine sipper!! On my website I share my favorite family dishes… some are healthy low carb recipes, some are sinful, but all are delicious!

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