loaded cauliflower mash;
Originally posted February 10, 2017. Updated September 22, 2023 for content and clarity.
Loaded cauliflower mash is a delicious, low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes. No, it doesn’t taste exactly the same (as the Atkins diet tried to claim growing up) but it’s delicious in its own right. Cauliflower makes for a much lighter side dish, and when mixed with sour cream, cheese, bacon, and chives, you won’t miss the potatoes.
Let me say it again: cauliflower does not equal mashed potatoes. They’re not the same. My mother pitched me cauliflower mash one time as a substitute for mashed potatoes, according to the Atkins recipe book. And it is NOT the same. But I tried this recipe again years later and added some delicious add-ins, and it held up much better. If you scoop into this dish knowing that it’s made of cauliflower, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how tasty it is!
You can also lighten up your traditional mashed potatoes and mix half cauliflower mash and half mashed potatoes.
secret to success.
If you want potatoes, go with potatoes. But if you want a vegetable that the whole family will eat happily, then grab a pot and make this loaded cauliflower mash. You can also lighten up your traditional mashed potatoes and mix half-and-half. Add mashed cauliflower 1:1 with your mashed potatoes and you get a lighter, whipped white dream that still tastes like potatoes. That said, it’s also twice the work, so honestly, I just eat loaded cauliflower mash because it’s delicious in its own right.
In the previous photos I left out the bacon for a vegetarian option, but look I promise I use the bacon too! Here’s an original photo from 2017 when I made this loaded cauliflower mash for the first time, complete with delicious bacon.
To add extra protein and save some calories, try swapping out the sour cream for greek yogurt.
secret to success
If you want to be even more health-conscious in this loaded cauliflower mash, use greek yogurt instead of sour cream. This swap is one of my favorites. Firstly, it’s convenient. I don’t always keep sour cream on hand, but I do keep individual cups of greek yogurt in the fridge so I can eat it for breakfast with fruit, or use it in recipes. So I often have and use greek yogurt when I don’t have sour cream. Plus it adds extra protein to the dish and saves on calories.
I could eat this as a main dish, which I think is impressive for a vegetable. You can make this easily vegetarian by swapping out or eliminating the bacon. If leaving out the bacon, try a smoked salt! It will add a bit of extra smokiness that the bacon adds, but without the pork. Or choose a smoked gouda cheese instead of the traditional cheddar cheese.
To keep this loaded cauliflower mash vegetarian, leave out the bacon. Try a vegetarian friendly substitute.
secret to success
Even though recipe this uses the traditional “loaded baked potato” ingredients, I hope it inspires you to use your own favorite ingredients! Try a chipotle gouda cheese to add a little bit of spice, or add some red chili flakes. Or for a garlic herb take, replace the cheese, bacon, and garlic/onion powders with a garlic and fine herbs boursin cheese.
secrets to success;
Want all the best tips and tricks to make this recipe a success? Check out the blog post above to find out more!
more recipes;
Looking for other delicious vegetables for your table? Check out these healthful recipes:
- One of my favorite, simple recipes is this parmesan zucchini recipe. So easy to make, it’s a perfect complement to any weeknight meal.
- Rainbow Vegetable Pad Thai is a one-pot vegetarian meal that adds zucchini, peppers, onions, and carrots to noodles for this filling meal.
- Serve fresh cut vegetables with this creamy, slightly spicy buffalo-chicken-dip. Perfect as an appetizer or for parties or potlucks, you won’t regret this yummy dish!
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 4 oz sour cream
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- salt & pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Fry bacon in a pan until crisp, then set aside to drain.
- Prepare a steamer. I use a large soup pot with a removable metal steamer and add ~1" water to the bottom of the pot. Cut the cauliflower into florets and add to the steamer. Turn to medium high heat and steam approximately 5 minutes once water starts boiling, until cauliflower is fork-tender.
- Add the steamed cauliflower to a bowl, and mash using a fork or potato masher. Alternatively, use a food processor for smoother mash.
- Mix sour cream and butter into the mash until evenly melted. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Chop the chives, and add the majority to the mash, reserving some for topping. Crumble the bacon and add it to the mash. Add in the cheese, and mix until combined.
- Top with remaining cheese and broil 2 minutes on high or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Sprinkle with remaining crumbled bacon and chives and serve warm.
