Whether you’re on a ketogenic diet, watching your carbs, or just looking for something different, you won’t believe the taste of this loaded mashed cauliflower recipe! Fresh cauliflower is pureed with cream, then blended with cheese and bacon.
Topped with sliced green onions, this substitute for mashed potatoes is so close to the real thing, you’ll be impressed. It’s a low carb, keto friendly side dish you’ll want to make again and again!
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What is Loaded Mashed Cauliflower?
Loaded mashed cauliflower mimics mashed potatoes that have been loaded with typical baked potato toppings like sour cream, green onions, and bacon. It is a go-to for people like me who are following a keto diet.
I’ve been on my keto journey for six weeks now. I feel like I’ve done a great job adapting to the changes in my diet, but I do get a few cravings for carbolicious foods. Especially potatoes… cheesy, delicious potatoes.
On any other diet, I would’ve graciously granted myself a cheat day so I could indulge in something deliciously starchy. But a cheat day on a keto diet is more work to make up than I care to do, so started tinkering with mashed cauliflower.
Isn’t Mashed Cauliflower Bland?
The first time I made cauliflower “mashed potatoes,” I wasn’t a fan. It was way too bland for me, even with loads of butter and salt. So much for trying to fool myself into thinking I was eating potatoes.
I shelved the idea of making mashed cauliflower for a while, but some of my favorite main dishes seem to cry out for mashed potatoes to be at their sides. What is pot roast without mashed potatoes? And what about roast turkey? They just aren’t the same without their starchy friend close by.
I started adding bacon (because imho, bacon makes everything better), and that led me down the baked potato toppings path. By doing that, I was able to forget that I wasn’t eating potatoes. Can you believe that?
In fact, now that I’ve perfected the recipe, I think I might prefer these to OP mashed potatoes.
Might!
Do You Have Any Tips or Tricks?
Yes!
Most people’s biggest complaint about mashed cauliflower is its consistency. I totally get this. The first couple of times I made mashed cauliflower, it either looked like soup or… well, smashed cauliflower. Here’s what I learned!
- Use a Vitamix or food processor to puree the cauliflower. You can mash it by hand if you like some lumps, but pureeing it gives you a much smoother consistency.
- Work in small batches so every bit of cauliflower gets pureed.
- Shake or scrape the container between pulses so it mixes evenly. You do not want to add more liquid.
- Keep in mind that cauliflower holds a considerable amount of moisture when it’s steamed. That liquid, plus the added cream, should be enough to create a thick mash. Be conservative when adding liquid, or you’ll end up with a cauliflower milkshake!
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Directions
- Steam cauliflower until tender, about 6 – 8 minutes. Drain well.
- Place steamed cauliflower in Vitamix or blender. Add cream, then pulse until cauliflower is desired consistency.
- Pour cauliflower into a bowl. Stir in sour cream, shredded cheese, garlic salt, and black pepper.
- Fold in crumbled bacon.
- Top with green onion slices. Serve hot.
Looking for a Keto-Friendly Main Dish?
- Try Classic Roast Chicken for a hearty dinner that’s just like Grandma used to make.
- Give Lemony Baked Salmon a whirl for a light, zesty entree that lets flavors shine!
Quick and Easy
Loaded Mashed Cauliflower
Course: Keto-Friendly, Sides, VegetablesDifficulty: Easy6
servings5
minutes8
minutes13
minutesFresh cauliflower is pureed with cream, then blended with cheese and bacon. Topped with sliced green onions, this will be a favorite side you’ll want to make again and again!
Ingredients
1 head cauliflower
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 pieces cooked bacon, crumbled
Sliced green onions
Directions
- Steam cauliflower until tender, about 6-8 minutes. Drain well.
- Place steamed cauliflower in Vitamix or blender. Add cream, then pulse until cauliflower is desired consistency.
- Pour cauliflower into a bowl. Stir in sour cream, shredded cheese, garlic salt, and black pepper.
- Fold in crumbled bacon.
- Top with green onion slices. Serve hot.
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What an interesting change to a common recipe!!
Thanks! Sometimes it’s a matter of cleaning out the fridge…lol
Looks yummy! I think I could veganize this recipe.
Yes, you definitely could! Let me know how it turns out!
Usually roast or use it in salad. Going to give the mashed one a try soon .Looks so yummy!
Roasting is one of my favorite ways to enjoy veggies, especially Brussels sprouts.
I love trying new recipes for this! I am so surprised on how tasty it is! I still love potatoes, but this is a great option, too!
I have come to love it as a substitute for mashed potatoes, but once I wean myself off keto I am looking forward to having small amounts of potatoes again.
Haven’t made cauliflower this way before… will have to give it a shot! My kids like it cooked other ways, so why not mashed!
My biggest problem when I first started making it was that I overdid the liquid and ended up with cauliflower soup. If you keep that in mind, you’ll have no problem.
This looks amazing! My mashed cauliflower never comes out good. I will have to try this recipe this weekend! Thanks!
I’m so glad we could help! Best of luck to you when you give it a try!
Oh, I was so confused! I thought I was going to read a recipe for chicken soup with dumplings!
SURPRISE! Ha ha ha. But seriously, here’s a link to our namesake soup: https://zxz.oco.mybluehost.me/2020/09/24/chicken-soup-with-dumplings/
I was shocked at how much I enjoyed mashed cauliflower the first time I had it. I also love mashed turnips.
Ooooh, yes! Mashed turnips with butter and a touch of salt and pepper. Delish!
We love roasting our cauliflower & this looks like a wonderful variation to try!
Yum! We love roasted cauliflower, too. And roasted broccoli, and roasted Brussels sprouts…I guess we really love roasted veggies!
Okay, I may be willing to try mashed cauliflower now. 😊
LOL! Bacon makes everything better!
Wow, I’ve never thought of this! We love Cauliflower rice so I bet this would be a hit in our house. Looks delicious!
Thank you! I love how quick and easy it is to make.
I adore mashed cauliflower, never considered adding all that yummy stuff! Brilliant/1
Thanks so much! It’s definitely a go-to in this house now.
We absolutely love substituting cauliflower for potatoes and we’ve tried variations of the loaded cauliflower. We definitely will give this a try!
Once you start eating it, it’s pretty addictive!
Can’t wait to try these! I haven’t had luck yet with other recipes I’ve tried 🙂
Good luck! Shoot me an email if you run into any troubles!
I made mashed cauliflower once and tried to pass it off to my family as potatoes. Now, I know what I did wrong. I should have added bacon and cheese!! Thanks for the tip!
Ha ha ha! You’ve discovered my secret! When they don’t eat something around here, I add bacon and watch the magic happen.
Thanks for this recipe. I have made this before and like you, found it a bit bland. I am going to try this recipe. It sounds much better,
I’m glad we could help! I hope you enjoy it more with all the “fixin’s”!
WOW does this sound yummy!
Thanks! My family loves it!
I really like cauliflower, cooked better than raw. So I will try this for sure. Thanks for sharing. I liked your input on wanting carbs. I’m not on a keto diet all the time.
I like cooked better than raw with most vegetables. Veggie trays aren’t my favorite snack for sure. But cooked? I’m there!
We call those fauxtaters around here. <3
I love it! I am going to steal your name the next time I make these!
This is interesting. I used to take one look at cauliflower and decide i didnt want to eat flowers, now though, I love it. Ill try the loaded mashed cauliflower
Your comment reminds me of a time I found my four-year-old inhaling deeply over a head of cauliflower. She looked up and said, “These colly flowers don’t smell too good, Mommy!”
Not usually a cauliflower fan, but these look delish!
Thanks so much! I’ve almost got myself fooled into thinking they’re the “real thing”!
This is definitely on the KETO diet!
And I am sooooo thankful it is!!!
I’ve had mashed cauliflower before and agree it is bland. But I like your idea of adding cream, cheese and bacon. I will definitely have to give this a try!
Good luck! And don’t be too light-handed with that bacon! YUM!
Bacon makes everything better!
You are SOOO my girl! High five!
This looks delicious. I will have to give it a try.
Thank you! It’s so easy to make and it’s done in no time at all.
What a great idea. I’m going to make this. https://tammyhorvath.com/blog/
Thanks, Tammy! We’d love to hear how it turns out for you!