If you’re looking for a healthy side dish that’s easy to whip up in minutes, look no further than these garlic mashed cauliflower potatoes. Made with wholesome ingredients, very little butter, and a hint of garlic for added flavor, you (and your kids!) won’t even tell that these “potatoes” are mostly made of blended cauliflower. What a great way to introduce new vegetables into your family’s diet!
What makes this garlic mashed cauliflower potatoes so good?!
By transforming a whole head of cauliflower into mashed potatoes, you take a boring ‘ole veggie and turn it into something magical. Deliciously smooth and creamy, these garlic mashed cauliflower potatoes have a very similar texture and taste as your typical mashed potatoes, but offer a healthier alternative.
Additionally, you can make this healthy side dish in a matter of minutes with minimal clean up. With the use of a stockpot and food processor, you allow your kitchen tools to do much of the work for you. However, if you don’t have a blender or food processor, you can use a potato masher or back of a spoon to mash the potatoes and cauliflower, but they may end up a little chunkier.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower
- Russet Potato
- Garlic
- Butter
- Salt and Pepper
A few notes about the ingredients:
- I like to include a potato in my cauliflower mash to help with the texture. It thickens the mash, as well as provide the classic potato skins that you typically find in garlic mashed potatoes. However, you can leave out the potato if you prefer.
- You can substitute a mild flavored oil instead of butter for a vegan cauliflower mash.
How do you make garlic mashed cauliflower potatoes from scratch?
Cut the cauliflower into florets and cube the potato (no need to peel it!). Place the cauliflower florets, cubed potato, and the garlic clove(s) into a stockpot. Fill the pot with water until it covers the cauliflower and potatoes.
Boil until both the cauliflower and potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes. With a slotted spoon, drain the water and place the cauliflower, potatoes, and garlic into a food processor or blender.
Add the butter (or oil) and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Blend it to combine. If you like chunkier mashed potatoes, just pulse the food processor a few times. For creamier, smoother potatoes, allow it to blend a few minutes. Adjust the butter, salt, and pepper to taste.
Serve alongside healthy chicken meatloaf, baked teriyaki salmon, fall off the bone bbq baby back ribs, healthy chicken marsala, or even your Thanksgiving turkey!
Is cauliflower healthier than potatoes?
Since both cauliflower and potatoes are fresh, whole foods, they are great additions to your daily diet. They both also have lots of diverse vitamins and minerals. However, cauliflower does have less calories and carbohydrates than potatoes, making it a diet friendly, lighter, and healthier option for weight loss.
What makes cauliflower mash watery? How do you thicken mashed cauliflower?
Cauliflower mash can become watery if the boiling liquid isn’t strained properly. Make sure to allow the water to drain completely from the cauliflower and potatoes before placing them in the food processor. As well, the addition of the russet potato helps to thicken the mash and create a better consistency.
What makes these garlic mashed cauliflower potatoes healthy?
These garlic mashed cauliflower potatoes are a great healthy side dish because they are made with fresh, whole ingredients. The cauliflower, and even the russet potato, offer an array of vitamins and minerals. They also have very little butter to help with flavor and texture. In addition, you can adjust the salt to your own preferred taste and dietary restrictions.
One more tip
- This is a great light and healthy side dish, but if you want to add a little more pizazz, you can add sour cream, cheddar cheese, additional butter, herbs (such as chives or dill), or you can even roast the cauliflower and potatoes, instead of boiling them, to add even more flavor.
Looking for more healthy recipes? Try these:
- Healthy Chicken Meatloaf with Hidden Veggies
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Apples and Kale
- Fall Off the Bone BBQ Baby Back Ribs
- Mushroom, Sausage, and Arugula Pizza
- Healthy Chicken Marsala
Share your cooking with me! If you make this recipe, I'd love to know! Tag @yourhomemadehealthy on Instagram or leave a comment with a rating and some feedback at the bottom of this page!
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes
Equipment
- stockpot
- food processor
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 russet potato
- 1-2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp butter (or lightly flavored oil for vegan option)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into florets and cube the potato (no need to peel it!).
- Place the cauliflower florets, cubed potato, and the garlic clove(s) into a stockpot. Fill the pot with water until it covers the cauliflower and potatoes.
- Boil until both the cauliflower and potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes. With a slotted spoon, drain the water well and place the cauliflower, potatoes, and garlic into a food processor or blender.
- Add the butter (or oil) and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Blend to combine. If you like chunkier mashed potatoes, just pulse the food processor a few times. For creamier, smoother potatoes, allow it to blend a few minutes.
- Adjust the butter, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Serve alongside healthy chicken meatloaf, baked teriyaki salmon, fall off the bone bbq baby back ribs, healthy chicken marsala, or even your Thanksgiving turkey!
Notes
- I like to include a potato in my cauliflower mash to help with the texture. It thickens the mash, as well as provide the classic potato skins that you typically find in garlic mashed potatoes. However, you can leave out the potato if you prefer.
- You can substitute a mild flavored oil instead of butter for a vegan cauliflower mash.
- This is a great light and healthy side dish, but if you want to add a little more pizazz, you can add sour cream, cheddar cheese, additional butter, herbs (such as chives or dill), or you can even roast the cauliflower and potatoes, instead of boiling them, to incorporate even more flavor.
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