Creamy Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Mash
A velvety, low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes made by roasting cauliflower and garlic until caramelized, then blending with butter, parmesan, and cream for a rich, comforting side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head cauliflower (or 2 medium), cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 head garlic, cloves peeled
- Olive oil, for tossing
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
- Fresh chives or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss cauliflower florets and peeled garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, and pepper on the baking sheet. Spread in a single layer.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes until cauliflower is fork-tender and edges are golden brown, and garlic is soft and sweet.
- Optional: While roasting, boil cauliflower florets in a large pot for 10-12 minutes until very soft. Drain thoroughly and let steam off excess moisture.
- Transfer roasted cauliflower and garlic to a food processor.
- Add butter, parmesan cheese, and a splash of warm cream. Pulse until smooth, adding more cream gradually to reach desired consistency.
- Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh chives or parsley.
Notes
Do not skip the roasting step as it concentrates flavor and removes excess moisture. If boiling, ensure cauliflower is drained well to avoid a watery mash. Warm the dairy before adding to help emulsification. Do not overprocess in the blender to prevent a gummy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 8
Keywords: cauliflower mash, roasted garlic, parmesan, low carb, keto side dish, gluten-free, healthy mashed potatoes, comfort food