Keto Mashed Cauliflower with Cream Cheese
This Keto Mashed Cauliflower with Cream Cheese and Asiago is the best mashed potato sub ever. Mashed Cauliflower is excellent to serve for weeknight dinners, holiday gatherings, and any other occasion that comes up. With roasted garlic to cover the cauliflower taste and plenty of cream cheese to make it creamy, this recipe won’t disappoint.
This keto diet mashed cauliflower is a definite on my Thanksgiving table every year, along with this amazing Smoked Turkey. It is the perfect side dish in place of a traditional mashed potatoes recipe.
Before You Get Started
Here are a few tips to help your keto mashed cauliflower turn out perfectly:
- Make sure the cauliflower is cooked until soft – You are less likely to have chunks when mashing tender cauliflower.
- Drain the cauliflower well – For thick mashed cauli make sure you use dried cauliflower.
- You can make this ahead – Prep a day or two ahead and bake when you want to serve.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower – I cheat a bit on this step and use steamable bags of frozen cauliflower florets. Just toss them in the microwave and they are ready in minutes. Just drain any excess water. If you want to use fresh cauliflower florets simply steam in a steamer basket until they are fork-tender.
- Garlic – Roasted fresh garlic cloves have an amazing sweet mild flavor that shines when used in low-carb cauliflower mash.
- Butter – You can use salted butter or unsalted butter since you will be seasoning this to taste anyway.
- Cream Cheese – Cream cheese helps keep the cauli-mash thick and creamy.
- Asiago Cheese – Asiago has a nice salty flavor but feel free to sub in another firm cheese such as shredded parmesan.
- Heavy Cream – This is optional. Use some for a thinner mash or omit it for the thickest mash.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper – You can season to taste with both the salt and pepper.
See quantities in the recipe card.
How to Make Keto Mashed Cauliflower
1️⃣ Cook the Cauliflower and Garlic
Steam the cauliflower and roast the garlic. Make sure to drain the cauliflower well. If it is very wet dry with a paper towel.
👉 Can I Roast My Cauliflower Instead of Steaming It
Yes, you are welcome to use roasted cauliflower if you prefer the flavors to roasted. Steaming or microwaving will give you the softest texture, which leads to a creamier texture. But roasting your cauliflower will give your mashed cauliflower more depth in flavor.
👉 How Do You Roast Garlic in the Oven?
To roast your garlic, you will place your garlic slice head down so that the cloves are exposed. Then drizzle over olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Wrap your garlic in aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes at 400 degrees. You want to have the garlic soft enough that if you squeeze the bulbs come out easily.
You can make your garlic ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Then warm in the microwave when ready to use it.
2️⃣ Puree the Filling
Puree the cauliflower with the seasonings in a food processor. This is a large batch recipe so this needs to be done in two batches.
👉 What if I don’t have a food processor?
If all you have is an immersion blender or a potato masher, you can use those, but it will be chunky. With a regular blender, you need to blend in small batches and scrape the sides often. This recipe works best in a food processor.
3️⃣ Assembly
Layer the cauliflower puree with the cheese.
4️⃣ Bake
Pop the creamy mashed cauliflower recipe into the oven and bake until hot, bubbly, and golden.
Storage
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
You can also freeze any leftovers you might have. Place them in a freezer-friendly container and then store them in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge the night before you want to serve it.
Then warm in the microwave or heat in the oven. If you heat it up in the oven, wrap it in aluminum foil, and heat it until it is cooked through.
Variations
- Green Onions – Finely slice and mix in before layering.
- Diced Bacon or Pancetta – Add real bacon bits along with the shredded cheese.
- Fresh Herbs – Mix chopped chives, rosemary, thyme, or even basil right into the puree.
- Rosemary or Parsley – Finely chop and mix into the pureed cauliflower.
- Parmesan Cheese – Add along with the shredded cheese.
- Cheese – Swap cheddar cheese in for the asiago. Or try using smoked gouda.
- Sour Cream – Stir in a spoonful or two of sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt) for a pleasant tang.
- Dairy Free – Try my dairy-free Keto Cauliflower Mash.
If you are looking for more great side dishes, try my Keto Green Bean Casserole and Baked Feta Spaghetti Squash.
Common Questions
Can I Make Mashed Cauliflower Ahead Of Time
Absolutely! I had made this the day ahead of when I wanted it, and then just reheated in the microwave, or cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven! Just heat until it is warmed all the way through, and then serve.
It keeps the flavor from day one, so you don’t feel it lacks in flavor at all. Keto Mashed Cauliflower reheats very well.
How To Make A Thick and Creamy Cauliflower Mash
I have been making this cauliflower mash for a while now, and I have learned that if you use more florets instead of stems, you will get a creamier texture. I also only use cream cheese and butter and do not add any type of milk or cream.
What To Serve With Mashed Cauliflower
We eat this most often with hearty proteins such as my Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin, Keto Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, or Ground Turkey Meatloaf.
It is also great under a saucy entree like Keto Mississippi Pot Roast or Keto Chicken and Broccoli Skillet.
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Keto Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
Ingredients
- 40 oz of frozen cauliflower microwaved or steamed until warm
- 1 head of roasted garlic ***
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream OPTIONAL
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 12 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded asiago cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Grease a 2 qt baking dish or extra deep pie plate.
- Put half of each of the first six ingredients in a food processor (the entire amount will not fit in a standard food processor). Process until smooth.
- Spoon into the baking dish. Top with half the asiago cheese. Repeat.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden, bubbly, and hot.
Notes
Nutrition
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Originally published November 22, 2016. Revised and republished October 29, 2025.
I don’t have a food processor. Can i use a blemder instead?
You would have to puree it in very small batches.
Really tasty especially with the roasted garlic. Very light and, of course, a little thin. I didn’t use the cream or most of the butter to try to keep it thicker but you just can’t make cauliflower be potatoes. Will try fresh cauliflower next time. I’ll still make it again and I am now following you on Pinterest. Thanks for a great recipe! Your meatball recipe went great with this side dish!
Make sure to thoroughly drain your cauliflower. If you do it well this is not thin.
This is wonderful! Hubby prefers it to potatoes. Definitely a keeper.
If you use fresh cauliflower, how much do you suggest to use?
You can half the recipe for 1 head or make it as is with 2.
Do you think I can cook the cauliflower in the instant pot? If so, for how long should I pressure cook it? I’m new to the IP. Thanks!
Yes. If you are using fresh cauliflower cook on the rack or in a steamer basket, with a half a cup of water, for 3 minutes on manual high pressure.
If it turns out to runny what can I add to thicken it up a bit? My family loves it, but I would like it a little thicker. Thank you!!
Next time you can omit the cream. For now, adding extra cheese will thicken it a bit.
I used this to top my shepherds pie today and omg it was the best cauliflower mash topped shepherds pie I’ve made so far. I’ve never truly enjoyed the cauliflower mash shepherds pie until now although Ive made a few times. I didn’t layer it, I steamed fresh cauliflower florets and left them firm and put in food processor with everything including Parmesan cheese since i didn’t have any Asiago and omitted the hwc and to be honest I didn’t measure anything and just winged it because the florets were already steaming when I realized I forgot to weigh them. This is going to be a staple for sure! Thank you!!
Also I didn’t have any garlic heads so I used roasted garlic powder.
Is there a sub for roasting the garlic head?
Yes, you could just add roasted garlic powder to taste. One to two teaspoons should be good.
I know it’s possible to make this dairy free, but I wouldn’t mind a few pointers. Instead of using heavy cream, will almond milk do? I have a dairy free cream cheese i will be using But will dairy free parmesan be good too instead of Asiago? Trying to be as healthy as possible lol. Thanks!!
I have a dairy-free mashed cauliflower recipe that I would recommend instead of trying to tweak this one: https://joyfilledeats.com/mashed-cauliflower/
In your post you state you don’t use any milk or cream yet the recipe calls for heavy cream? Just curious do you leave that out?
More recently I haven’t been adding cream. In the photos it does have cream. It really depends on how watery the cauliflower is. I’ve found that fresh cauliflower may need a little cream but using frozen doesn’t.
Hello, I will be making this side dish tonight. I have frozen cauliflower, about how long should I microwave the cauliflower?? I guess I’m asking the consistency of the cauliflower after microwaving since it will cook also in the oven? Thanks so much..
You can cook it as stated on the package. Frozen cauliflower works great in this recipe. If it’s not fully cooked it’s hard to puree.
If I don’t have asiago cheese what other cheese can I use?
Any more firm flavorful cheese like romano, parmesan, gruyere, manchego would taste great. If those aren’t an option cheddar is good too!
I have made this several times! It’s absolutely fabulous!! Even my non-keto family devours it!
How much is 40 oz of Cauliflower? I found it precooked and frozen at the grocery store but it’s a 500g bag.
I’m looking forward to making this. It looks delicious.
I’m not sure but google always knows! 40 oz is 1133 grams. So just half the recipe.
I am sorry, will this be S on THM? Thank you…
Yes, it is an S.