Cheesy Cauliflower Mash

Cheesy mashed cauliflowers that taste like mac and cheese yet has texture similar to potatoes. Delicious and healthy yet still quick and easy, this is a great side to any main dish.

Okay, so I know these photos aren’t the best, but this recipe really is tasty. I’ve eaten it twice already.

To be honest, I wasn’t even planning to make this cheesy cauliflower mash at all. It was an accident, sort of. What I was trying to make was a cauliflower pizza crust, which still needs some work and won’t be posted for awhile.

Anyways, I had leftover grated cauliflower and I wanted to try something new. I remembered that back in November, around Thanksgiving, I came across so many recipes that talked about how wonderful of a substitute cauliflower was for potatoes. I thought maybe I could do something similar. My cauliflower wasn’t pureed so it wasn’t going to have the same consistency as mashed potatoes, but I could have something similar. I played around with cheese, salt, and seasoning. This cheesy cauliflower mash was the result.

Not everyone likes cauliflower, but they’re so good for you. Cauliflowers are filled with Vitamin C and other antioxidants that help reduce the risk of cancer. They also contain Vitamin K, an anti-inflammatory that can help keep the heart healthy. If you cook and season cauliflowers properly, they’ll taste delicious and you won’t even know that’s what you’re eating. If you have kids, this is the perfect way to get them to eat more vegetables.

First, cut up a head of cauliflower into fourths. My cauliflower was huge so I only needed a fourth. You’re welcome to use more. =)

I grated my raw cauliflower into small fine pieces. You’ll need about a cup of it. If you prefer a more mashed potato-y texture, you can put cooked cauliflower florets into a food processor or blender.

The grated cauliflower should look something like this.

Next, I placed the cauliflower into a bowl and into the microwave for about 8 minutes to cook them.

When they are done, I carefully remove the bowl from the microwave. Remember to be careful. It’s been in the microwave for 8 minutes. The cauliflower and the bowl will be super hot.

Mix in the shredded cheese and a pinch of salt and black pepper. I used a mixture of mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese, about a ½ cup each to make one cup. However, if you’re not a fan of cheese, you can add less. Or if you prefer a different type of cheese, that’s fine too.

Microwave for another 30 seconds to allow the cheese to melt. Sprinkle on Italian seasoning just for extra flavor if you want.

That’s it! It’s soo tasty. This cheesy dish tastes like it’s a cross between mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. Two comfort food in one!

Serve the cheesy cauliflower mash warm and enjoy!

For the printer friendly version of this recipe, click here.

Click on the image below for an enlarged version of this recipe.