How to Make Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese

Make easy, creamy, low-carb Frozen Cauliflower Mash using a bag of cauliflower from your freezer!

Those packages you buy on the freezer aisle aren't just for Parmesan Cauliflower Bites and Roasted Cauliflower Rice. Make the best healthy, low-carb mashed cauliflower "potatoes" too!

Puree cauliflower florets (or rice) with cream cheese, sour cream and seasonings just like you do to make popular slow cooker mashed potatoes. The big difference is this keto-friendly dish is ready in only 20 minutes and you don't have to peel anything.

And, it's not just a comfort dish alternative. This version stands alone as a vegetable side dish that everyone will beg you to make because the taste and texture is amazing!

Jump to:

• Ingredients and Variations
• Directions with Pictures
• FAQ
• Storage and Reheating
• Perfect Pairings
• Recipes Using Frozen Cauliflower
• 📋 Recipe

Ingredients and Variations

Here's what you'll need to make it. We've outlined some popular modifications below too.

• Cauliflower florets - frozen or fresh. We used 30 ounces of frozen florets. Florets from 2 heads of fresh cauliflower or frozen cauliflower rice may be used instead.
• Butter or plant-based alternative.
• Cream Cheese of choice. We used full-fat to have the creamiest result.
• Sour cream of any type.
• Onion powder (or garlic powder) - we used the dried spice because it's easier to thoroughly distribute!

Salt and pepper must be added to the recipe too. We used a minimal amount and suggest adding the remainder to taste upon serving.

Optional garnishes

• Chives
• Crumbled bacon
• Shredded or grated cheeses, such as cheddar, Parmesan.
• Caramelized onions
• Roasted garlic
• Fresh Herbs, such as basil and parsley

You can even mix in wilted cabbage or kale like we did to make Cauliflower Colcannon!

Directions with Pictures

We steamed 2 packages of frozen cauliflower in the microwave and combined everything in a plastic bowl with an immersion blender. So easy!!! Other options for cooking and preparing are described below.

1. Cook cauliflower and thoroughly drain it. Follow the directions on the package to either steam it in the microwave or boil it on the stovetop. Drain off any excess liquid.
   • For fresh cauliflower, bring a large pot of water to boiling and cook cauliflower until tender when poked with a fork, 6-7 minutes.
2. Combine cauliflower, cream cheese, sour cream, butter, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
   • If you boiled the cauliflower, then add everything to the pot after you drain the cauliflower.
   • If you will be using a food processor to blend, then add all of the ingredients directly to the food processor.
3. Use an immersion blender or food processor to process.
4. Puree until smooth and creamy or desired texture. Salt and pepper to taste.

Note: Make the consistency creamier if desired by adding a little more butter, cream cheese, sour cream, reserved liquid from cooking the cauliflower or vegetable broth. If it's too thin, then additional cauliflower or cream cheese can be added to thicken.

FAQ

Does cauliflower mash taste like potato?

No. It tastes like cauliflower! However, the texture and consistency approximates mashed potatoes when it's pureed with ingredients to make it creamy.

Can you use cauliflower rice to make this recipe?

Yes. Substitute 30 ounces of cauliflower rice.

Why is my cauliflower mash watery?

The final dish may be watery if you don't drain the cooked cauliflower after steaming or boiling.

How do you thicken frozen mashed cauliflower?

Add a little extra cream cheese or cauliflower to thicken the final dish if desired.

Can you mash cauliflower with a potato masher or with a hand mixer?

Yes! These are really good options if you don't mind a texture that's a little chunky and not completely smooth. It will still have the same delicious taste!

Storage and Reheating

• Store - Place leftovers, in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat - Warm leftovers in a pot over medium-high heat until hot. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave until warmed through, which will only take a few minutes.
• Freeze - Leftovers may be frozen in an airtight storage container. Store up to 3 months. May be microwaved from frozen or defrosted overnight in the refrigerator and then warmed.

Perfect Pairings

Cauliflower mash is worthy for celebratory dinners like Thanksgiving and Easter. But, it's equally welcome at dinners that include:

• Meatloaf - that's our cheesy ground chicken meatloaf in the picture below!
• Steak
• Turkey
• Ham
• Topping for Shepherd's Pie

Recipes Using Frozen Cauliflower

We love the convenience of recipes that can be made with frozen florets or riced cauliflower. Some favorites are below and you'll find even more in Frozen Cauliflower Recipes.

• Mexican Street Style Cauliflower {Low-carb Elote Recipe}

• Cheesy Cauliflower Grits and Shrimp

• Cajun Cauliflower Rice with Andouille Sausage

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ★★★★★

📋 Recipe

• ▢ 30 ounces frozen cauliflower florets or cauliflower rice or 2 heads of cauliflower
• ▢ 2 ounces cream cheese softened
• ▢ ¼ cup sour cream
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons butter softened, more to taste
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder or garlic powder

• Cook frozen cauliflower following the directions on the package. Thoroughly drain.

• Place cooked cauliflower in a large bowl (if steamed in the microwave) or return to the pot (if boiled on the stovetop.) Add cream cheese, sour cream, butter, salt, pepper, and onion powder and puree with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy.

  Alternatively, pulse all of the ingredients in a food processor until mashed to desired consistency. For a less smooth consistency, use a potato masher or hand mixer.

• Remove to serving dish, garnish if desired. Salt and pepper to taste.

You'll find more expert tips and step by step pictures above!

To cook fresh cauliflower, bring a large pot of water to boiling and cook cauliflower until tender when poked with a fork, 6-7 minutes.

Storage and Reheating

• Store - Place leftover Cauliflower Mash, in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat - Warm leftovers in a pot over medium-high heat until hot. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave until warmed through, which will only take a few minutes.
• Freeze - Leftovers may be frozen in an airtight storage container. Store up to 3 months. May be microwaved from frozen or defrosted overnight in the refrigerator and then warmed.

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Calories: 120 kcal | Carbohydrates: 8 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 9 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 25 mg | Sodium: 308 mg | Potassium: 454 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 304 IU | Vitamin C: 68 mg | Calcium: 53 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutritional and Food Safety Disclaimer

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How to Make Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese

Source: https://www.dinner-mom.com/frozen-cauliflower-mash/

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