Creamy Cauliflower 'Mashed' Potatoes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A velvety low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes made with steamed cauliflower, melted butter, and sharp Parmesan, finished with fresh chives. This american-inspired vegetarian (low-carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs cauliflower, unsalted butter, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 American cuisine 200 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Steam riced cauliflower for 12-15 minutes until very tender. Drain thoroughly in a colander to remove excess moisture.
  2. Step 2: Transfer steamed cauliflower to a bowl. Add 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp heavy cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, minced garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mash with a potato masher until smooth and creamy, adding more heavy cream if needed for desired texture.
  3. Step 3: Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives. Serve immediately while warm.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Creamy Cauliflower 'Mashed' Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Creamy Cauliflower 'Mashed' Potatoes?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cauliflower from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Cauliflower 'Mashed' Potatoes?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Creamy Cauliflower 'Mashed' Potatoes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Creamy Cauliflower 'Mashed' Potatoes low-carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes