Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Cheese (Printable)
Tender cauliflower and garlic mashed with cheese for a smooth, flavorful low-carb side.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
02 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled
→ Dairy
03 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 1/3 cup sour cream
05 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
06 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Seasonings
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped chives or parsley (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and garlic cloves. Boil until the cauliflower is very tender, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
02 - Place the drained cauliflower and garlic in a food processor or large bowl. Add butter, sour cream, shredded cheddar, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
03 - Blend or mash the mixture until it reaches a smooth and creamy texture. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
04 - Transfer the mashed cauliflower to a serving bowl. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It tastes decadent without the carb crash that comes with traditional mashed potatoes.
- Takes less than thirty minutes from raw vegetables to a creamy side dish your guests won't realize is mostly cauliflower.
- Works beautifully as a lower-carb option while still feeling like comfort food.
02 -
- Drainage is everything—I learned this the hard way after making watery mash twice in a row before realizing I was barely letting the cauliflower drip dry.
- Don't skip the food processor just to save a dish; it genuinely creates a different, smoother texture that hand-mashing can't quite match.
03 -
- If you accidentally end up with something too thin, stir in a handful more shredded cheese and it will tighten up almost immediately.
- Room-temperature sour cream blends more smoothly than cold, so pull it out a few minutes before cooking if you have time.