Mashed Cauliflower With Bacon and Chives is the side dish that checks all the boxes. It’s simple to make, wonderfully creamy, slightly smokey from the bacon, and finished with a healthy dusting of fresh chives to round out the flavor. It’s like the best loaded baked potato you’ve ever had – without the potato!
Let’s get started!
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Let’s Chat About Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed Cauliflower is something I have truly come to love. I use it as a side dish or can eat a big bowl for my meal. This recipe is basically a low-carb version of a loaded baked potato and I cannot get enough.
Now that the holiday’s are upon us, this mashed cauliflower recipe is going to be absolutely perfect for any Thanksgiving or Christmas meal with family or friends. Alongside roasted turkey or chickens, as an easy side for a perfectly cooked prime rib, or as a light end to a day of heavy eating, this dish will be your new best friend!
Not only is the recipe beyond delicious, but it’s also so easy to make. I use an immersion blender to make fast work of the cooked cauliflower. It’s easy, quick, and cut down on the cleanup! How could you go wrong?!
Mashed Cauliflower Ingredients
- Cauliflower – This veggie is one of my absolute favorites. It can be transformed into so many things, but this recipe is particularly great.
- Broth – I had vegetable broth, but whatever you have on hand will work!
- Garlic – Fresh cloves are my favorite, but granulated garlic would be a great option.
- Cream Cheese – Let the cream cheese softened so it mixes in better.
- Bacon – Because, bacon. Need we say more?
- Chives – Green onion tops would be great, too!
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh Ground Pepper
- Butter – Salted butter on a loaded baked “potato” situation is a must.
Let’s Mash Some Cauliflower
Hold on to your knickers. This is gonna be fun!
You’ll need two large heads of cauliflower. Simply remove the leaves and core, and then cut into large florets. Throw the florets into a dutch oven on medium-high heat along with the garlic cloves. To the dutch oven, add your broth and cover with the lid. This will steam the cauliflower. Once the florets are fork tender, remove from the heat.
Now, onto the fun part and the part that makes the clean up so much easier! Enter, the immersion blender. After you add the block of cream cheese, carefully, use the immersion blender to begin breaking down the cauliflower and garlic cloves. In slow, steady up and down motions, continue until you reach your desired consistency. No need to transfer to a food processor or blender. No one needs more dirty dishes in their lives!
Now, fold in some bacon and chives and add kosher salt and black pepper to taste. I like to finish with a healthy pat of salted butter. Just try not to eat it all in one sitting!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! There is absolutely nothing in the recipe to worry about if gluten isn’t your friend!
This mashed cauliflower recipe is the perfect side dish for just about any meal. It’s going to be great for the upcoming holidays when you need to bring something to a family or friend get together. I serve my mashed cauliflower alongside everything from grilled steak to roasted chicken. I can even eat a big bowl for dinner I love it that much! There is no wrong way to have it!
If you don’t have an immersion blender, I do suggest you get one. They are amazing and I use mine all the time.
If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a food processor or blender. If you don’t mind the cauliflower being a little more chunky, a hand masher would be great, too!
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Mashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 2 large cauliflower heads, cut into florets
- 4-6 cloves garlic
- 2 cups broth, chicken or veggie would be great
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup chives, minced
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- kosher salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Throw the florets into a dutch oven along with the garlic cloves.
- To the dutch oven, add your broth and cover with the lid. Cook on med-high heat until the florets are fork tender, remove from the heat. This should take approximately 20 minutes.
- Add the block of cream cheese.
- Carefully, use the immersion blender to begin breaking down the cauliflower and garlic cloves. In slow, steady up and down motions, continue until you reach your desired consistency.
- Now, fold in some bacon and chives. Top with the butter. Add kosher salt and black pepper to taste and try no to eat it all in one sitting!
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Mashed Cauliflower recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or review. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
–Rufus
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For another great side, try my Classic Wedge Salad or use this mashed cauliflower as a base for my a lighter take on Shrimp and Polenta!
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