This is the cheese-lover version of mashed cauliflower, loaded with two kinds of cheese and genuinely buttery and creamy. Keto cheesy mashed cauliflower is different from my garlic version, this one leans hard into cheddar and mozzarella instead.
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This is about as simple as a recipe gets, cook the cauliflower, blend it with everything else, and you are done.
Chef Jenn’s Take on Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower
The two cheeses here do different jobs. Sharp cheddar brings big, bold cheese flavor, while the mozzarella adds extra creaminess and a bit of stretch that cheddar alone cannot give you.
Steam or boil the cauliflower until it is really soft, then drain it very well, that is genuinely the most important step in this whole recipe. Pulse the still-hot cauliflower with the butter, cream, both cheeses, and salt in a food processor until silky smooth. Use fresh cauliflower only, frozen cauliflower releases too much liquid once it thaws and you will end up with soup instead of mash.
If yours does turn out runny anyway, transfer it to a nonstick skillet or saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring, to evaporate some of the liquid, without letting it come to a full boil.
Cook time depends on how you cut the cauliflower. Bite-size florets take about 4 to 5 minutes at a boil to get nice and soft, bigger pieces take longer.
What You’ll Love About Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower
- A great side for pot roast, beef stew, or a holiday table.
- Loaded with two kinds of cheese, genuinely buttery and creamy.
- About as simple as a recipe gets, cook and blend.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower – Fresh, not frozen, cut into chunks.
- Sharp white cheddar cheese – Shredded, for big, bold cheese flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese – Shredded, for extra creaminess and stretch.
- Heavy whipping cream – Full fat.
- Butter – Salted.
- Salt – To taste.
How to Make Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Boil or steam the cauliflower until it is very soft. Drain it very well.
Put the hot cauliflower, heavy whipping cream, butter, and cheeses into a food processor. Pulse a few times until silky smooth.
Season with salt if needed, and serve with a dollop of butter on top.
Make It A Meal
This goes especially well with Keto Pot Roast with Bacon, or on your holiday table smothered in Turkey Gravy.
If you love a good cauliflower mash, my garlic and Parmesan Keto Cauliflower Mash is another version worth trying.
Storage
This can technically be frozen, but freezing and thawing releases a lot of liquid from the cauliflower, so it is genuinely better enjoyed fresh. If you do freeze it, evaporate the excess liquid on the stovetop over medium heat, without boiling, before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Cauliflower is the keto wonder vegetable. It is a good source of fiber and is pretty low in carbs making it a great veggie for keto dieters.
It’s got too much liquid in it! Always start with fresh, not frozen cauliflower, and drain it really well after cooking it. If your mashed cauliflower recipe is too runny, you can evaporate some of the liquid out of it by heating it in a non-stick saucepan over medium heat.
That depends on how big you’ve cut it. If you cut it into bite-sized florets, it can take 4-5 minutes at a boil to get nice and soft. Bigger pieces will take longer.
Add Preferred SourceCheesy Mashed Cauliflower
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower cut into chunks
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Boil or steam the cauliflower until it is very soft. Drain it very well.
- Put the hot cauliflower, heavy whipping cream, butter, and cheeses into a food processor and pulse a few times until it is silky smooth.
- Season with salt if needed and serve with a dollop of butter on top!
Notes
Recipe Card Tips
- Drain the cauliflower very well after cooking, it’s the most important step for avoiding a runny mash.
- Use fresh cauliflower, not frozen, which releases too much liquid once thawed.
- If it does turn out runny, evaporate the excess liquid in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, without boiling.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Glad to have this recipe, My favorite restaurant serves this and I want to make it at home.
Cauliflower is one of my favorite vegetables. I think it pairs well with cheese too.
I have everything I need for this dish, can’t wait to make it this weekend!
eveyrthing is so much better with cheese, I love cauliflower cant believe I never had it with cheese Thanks
Yum!! I am always on the look out for a good alternative to mashed potatoes and this one sounds like it will hit the spot! Trying this week with dinner.