Creamy Cauliflower and Mashed Potatoes

Name: Creamy Cauliflower and Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 12 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups; 2-3 potatoes, any variety -- I used red); 1 lb cauliflower florets (about 3 cups; 1 head cauliflower); 2 wedges Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss Garlic & Herb Cheese; 1 tsp minced garlic; salt and pepper, to taste; cooking liquid (water)

November 11, 2018 (last updated Sep 17, 2021) by Amber Brady 4

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Lightened-up Creamy Cauliflower and Mashed Potatoes is a healthier side dish, with half cauliflower and half potatoes. Velvety smooth and creamy with less carbs and no milk, sour cream, or butter. Delicious enough for Thanksgiving or Christmas, yet simple enough for any dinner.

I’ve been working on self-care since the end of April. I’ve lost 23 pounds counting macros, and am feeling really great about my overall health and nutrition.

In years past, if I was watching what I was eating more carefully during the holidays, I would just take smaller portions of everything. That’s all good and worked out okay, but since I am hosting Thanksgiving this year, I get to be in charge of all of the food. So I can make anything I want, and make it healthier.

I’ve found that making simple swaps can improve nutrition, and taste pretty much the same. Plus you can get more for your macro buck, so I don’t have to take tiny portions.

Does Cauliflower Really Taste Like Mashed Potatoes?

Now, I’ve tried cauliflower mashed potatoes — purely made from cauliflower, and I’m sorry, but they do NOT taste like mashed potatoes. The texture and taste, just isn’t my favorite. I really like cauliflower, but not when it’s pretending to be mashed potatoes.

To solve this problem, I decided to go “halfsies.” Half potatoes and half cauliflower produces a much more desirable texture and taste.

In fact, my picky kids loved these! They were well aware that there was cauliflower in them, and my oldest (and pickiest) was shocked that they just tasted like mashed potatoes. He said he could barely taste the cauliflower, and if I hadn’t told him, he probably wouldn’t have even noticed.

It’s awesome to know that I can make these cauliflower mashed potatoes anytime and my kids will love them.

Trick for Super Smooth Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

The trick to velvety smooth cauliflower mashed potatoes (or regular mashed potatoes) is a Potato Ricer. Place the cooked cauliflower and potatoes in the ricer, and squeeze.

I steamed both the cauliflower and potatoes at the same time in my Instant Pot for 7 minutes. The cauliflower is going to be way soft, but the potatoes are just right, and since you are using both, it balances out. Of course you can always steam/cook them separately.

To make these cauliflower mashed potatoes creamy and flavorful, add 2-3 wedges of Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss with Garlic & Herbs, some extra minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste, and just enough of the cooking liquid for the desired texture.

I’m super excited to share this cauliflower and mashed potatoes recipe with you! It’s definitely on my menu for Thanksgiving. One serving is only 95 calories. The macros are pretty great too: C18 F1 P4.