This Keto Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower is a healthy low carb alternative to mashed potatoes, made in under 15 minutes. Tender cauliflower is blended with 2 cheeses until smooth and creamy is the perfect quick and easy side dish for busy weeknights.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Keto Mashed Potatoes Recipe

• Healthy low carb alternative to mashed potatoes
• Tender cauliflower florets
• Blended with 2 cheeses, butter and sour cream
• Puréed until smooth and creamy
• Quick and easy to make in under 15 minutes
• Serve alongside any protein that you like

If you’re missing mashed potatoes, this recipe is my absolute favorite low carb alternative. They are cheesy and creamy, and because they’re blended in a high powered blender or food processor, they turn out perfectly smooth.

You might be wondering, how you thicken mashed cauliflower. You start by cooking the cauliflower pieces in the microwave, without any water, then pat them dry.  This really helps them stay creamy and not watery at all!

I add in cheddar, Mascarpone, sour cream and butter and pulse until thick, smooth and creamy! Another great addition to add even more flavor to this mashed cauliflower is roasted garlic!

🛒 Ingredients Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

• Cauliflower
• Cheddar cheese
• Mascarpone cheese
• Sour cream
• Butter
• Garlic salt
• Pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Microwave safe bowl
• High powered blender or food processor

🔪 How to Make Low Carb Mashed Cauliflower

Add the cauliflower to a microwave-safe bowl.

Cover with a plate and cook in the microwave for 10 minutes or until tender.  

Drain well and pat with paper towels pressing gently to dry.

Add to the bowl of a food processor along with the remaining ingredients.

Pulse until smooth and creamy, then serve!

☑️ Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days or freeze.

🍴 What to Serve with this Cauliflower Mash with Cheese

Cheesy cauliflower puree is a very versatile dish. It goes with so many low carb or Keto entrees. Serve it with just about any protein for a quick and easy side dish.

I love serving it in place of mashed potatoes with this Instant Pot Pot Roast. Another family favorite it goes so well with are these amazing Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy.

Of course you can never go wrong when you serve it along side Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin or Cheese Stuffed Italian Meatloaf. The possibilities are endless!

💡 Tips for Making Mashed Cauliflower

• The number one tip and most important step in making mashed cauliflower is to dry your cauliflower well before adding them to the blender or food processor. Removing every bit of moisture that you can is absolutely necessary in achieving the perfect creamy texture. Watery cauliflower will give you watery mashed cauliflower, and no one wants that.
• Starting with a base of cooked and well dried cauliflower is why I chose to microwave the cauliflower instead of boiling it. I find it much easier to get them dry this way.
• Make sure your cauliflower goes into your blender or food processor while it’s still hot. That will help the cauliflower absorb the other flavors and also help to melt the butter and cheeses.
• I’ve made this mashed cauliflower in both a food processor and high powered blender and I find the blender gets them smoother and creamier in texture. If you have a Ninja or Vitamix, definitely use it instead of the food processor, unless you don’t mind the little lumps.
• Make sure your cheese is finely shredded, as this will help it blend into the cauliflower much easier.
• Having room temperature mascarpone and butter is also important. This will ensure they blend well into the cauliflower.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• You can boil the cauliflower instead of cooking it in the microwave if you prefer. Just be sure to drain really well before adding to the high powered blender or food processor.
• For a more intense cauliflower flavor, drizzle the cauliflower with a little olive oil and roast it in a 425°F oven for 20 minutes.
• Buy pre-cut cauliflower florets for a time saver.
• You can literally use any cheese you’d like. You can use white cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, Colby or any of your favorites. Recently, I started using a smoked gouda that gives them a smoky flavor and a wonderful creaminess.
• You can use cream cheese instead of Mascarpone. Cream cheese has a slightly more tart flavor, but it works well as a substitute since it has the same texture.
• Fried bacon pieces, scallions, or fresh roasted garlic adds extra bursts of flavor. This Keto mashed cauliflower recipe is so versatile, you can add any of your favorite toppings.

How to make mashed cauliflower taste more like mashed potatoes?

I like to add in a combination of butter, sour cream and 2 cheeses that not only give the mashed cauliflower a creamy texture, but also helps to tame the flavor of the cauliflower.

Can I have mashed cauliflower on keto?

Absolutely, in fact they’re the perfect low carb alternative to mashed potatoes.

Are mashed cauliflower healthier than mashed potatoes?

They are especially healthy for anyone on a Keto diet, but even if you’re not eating low carb, you will reap all the health benefits that cauliflower has to offer.

Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. It contains some of almost every vitamin and mineral that you need. If you’d like to read about the healthy benefits of cauliflower, check out this article.

How Many Carbs in Cauliflower?

Cauliflower does contain some carbohydrates, but the amount of carbs is much lower than that found in potatoes and other starchy vegetables. For a whole cup of cooked cauliflower, there are 3 net grams of carbs.

Is Cauliflower Keto?

Absolutely! In fact if you’re on Keto, you’ve probably seen a good many low carb cauliflower recipes. That’s because cauliflower is the quintessential Keto vegetable. It’s low in carbs, high in fiber and is very nutritious. With added healthy fat from cheese and butter, this is the perfect Keto side dish.

🍽️ More Keto Cauliflower Recipes

• Roasted Cauliflower Ham and Cheese Casserole
• Mexican Cauliflower Rice
• Smoked Sausage and Cauliflower Cheddar Soup
• Jalapeno Popper Cauliflower “Mac and Cheese”
• Cauliflower Pizza Crust
• Cauliflower Mushroom “Risotto”

*Originally published on September 25, 2018, updated on October 21, 2026 with improvements to the recipe, new photos, new recipe information and helpful tips.