• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Momma Fit Lyndsey

  • Air Fryer
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

search recipes

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Air Fryer
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Air Fryer
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Momma Fit Lyndsey » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Potato Cauliflower Mash

    Published: Apr 7, 2022 by Lyndsey · This post may contain affiliate links

    • Share
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    When you're looking for a healthy side dish recipe that tastes like healthy comfort food with less calories and less carbs, potato cauliflower mash is where it's at! Made with a 50/50 mix of Yukon gold potatoes and cauliflower florets, this easy weeknight side dish is a quick to make in the Instant Pot or stovetop in under 30 minutes!

    potato cauliflower mash with butter on top
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How to Make This Recipe
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Potato Cauliflower Mash

    Mashed potatoes are one of those comfort foods that I sometimes just crave! However, in a never-ending quest to increase my veggie intake, I decided to marry potatoes with the blank canvas that is cauliflower - hello potato cauliflower mash!

    This potato cauliflower mash works so well in hidden veggie dishes because of its color and mild flavor. When adding it to mashed potatoes you can lower the calories, increase the veggies and decrease the carbs, without sacrificing that creamy texture and delicious flavor!

    I love to serve this potato cauliflower mash alongside a main dish like air fryer turkey breast, meatloaf or meatballs.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Easy to make side dish for any weeknight meal! This recipe can be made in the Instant Pot without a steamer basket or on the stove top. You can make this without a food processor or using a blender or Thermomix- I was able to use a potato masher to achieve creamy results.
    • Fits a variety of dietary restrictions. Potato cauliflower mash is a healthy and naturally gluten free that can be made Whole30, vegan and dairy free. It's a lighter version of mashed potatoes and is made without cream cheese, half and half or heavy cream.
    • Great hidden recipe veggie for picky eaters. Looking to get more veggies into your picky eating toddler or kid? Cauliflower is a great veggie to hide in mashed potatoes because of its color and milk flavor. It's also a great first baby-led weaning recipe for baby to try.
    • Great for holidays or any day. Fancy enough for holidays like Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas and simple enough for the everyday easy weeknight meal!

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.

    ingredients for this recipe
    • Potatoes: Yukon gold potatoes are my top recommendation for making any mashed potatoes. I've also tried red potatoes and they work well too. I have not tried using canned yams, sweet potatoes, carrots, leeks or parsnips, however I believe that those veggies also.
    • Cauliflower: The easy way is to purchase pre-cut and pre-washed florets. You can also use frozen, however, frozen does tend to add more water content. This may result in the potato cauliflower mash being more watery and not as thick. If you are using frozen be sure to remove all excess moisture prior to mashing. Broccoli is also an excellent substitution you may want to try.
    • Fresh herbs: I used thyme and rosemary because that is what I had on hand. Parsley is also a great option. Dried herbs may be used if fresh are not available.
    • Butter: I used Kerrygold butter. To make this recipe vegan, use vegan butter like Earth's Balance. I have not tried making it without butter.
    • Chicken broth: You can substitute water, however the broth really does give it a great flavor. Vegetable broth may be substituted to make the recipe vegan or vegetarian.
    • Almond Milk: Unsweetened plain almond milk will make this potato cauliflower mash without dairy. You can use regular 2% or whole milk if you prefer. You may substitute chicken or vegetable broth to make without milk, however they result will likely be less thick and creamy.
    • Garlic: Garlic is optional but I love how it really elevates the flavor of this recipe. Boiling garlic with the potatoes on the stove top enables it to be mashed right with the other veggies.

    How to Make This Recipe

    This is a step by step walkthrough of how to cook this recipe. Exact cook time and temperatures are available in the recipe card at the bottom.

    Stovetop Directions

    steps for making this recipe
    1. Place cleaned potatoes, peeled garlic and cauliflower florets into a large stock pot. Cover with 2 cups of water and 2 cups of chicken broth. Place fresh herbs on top and season with a generous helping of salt.
    2. Bring liquid to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes and cauliflower are fork tender.
    3. Drain in a colander and discard fresh herb stems.
    4. Return mixture to the pot and add in milk, butter and salt/pepper to taste. Use a potato masher to mash until desired consistency.

    Instant Pot Directions

    1. Place cleaned potatoes, peeled garlic and florets into Instant Pot pot. Cover with 2 cups of water and 2 cups of chicken broth. Place fresh herbs on top and season with a generous helping of salt.
    2. Pressure cook on manual for 10 minutes then do a quick release.
    3. Drain in a colander and discard fresh herb stems.
    4. Return mixture to the pot and add in milk, butter and salt/pepper to taste. Use a potato masher to mash until desired consistency.

    Expert Tips

    • If using frozen be sure to drain cauliflower of moisture before mashing.
    • For less cauliflower flavor and more potato flavor reduce amount of cauliflower from 50/50 to 25/75 cauliflower to potatoes. For more cauliflower flavor (and less calories) increase cauliflower to 75/25 to potatoes.
    • I highly recommend using the Instant Pot method for the smoothest texture in this potato cauliflower mash. If you or your family has texture issues the Instant Pot cooking method produced a smoother result for me.
    • For a cheesy flavor add gorgonzola or Parmesan cheese to the dish once you are mashing it.
    • Make Ahead: Potatoes and cauliflower may be peeled and washed the day before. Soak potatoes in water overnight if making the next day.
    • Freezer: May be stored in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
    • Storage: Store leftover potato cauliflower mash in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
    • Reheating: Add 1 tablespoon or more of almond milk and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave over medium heat until heated through.

    FAQs

    Can you mash cauliflower with potatoes?

    It is very easy to mash both together for a consistent texture once they are both cooked. Once fork tender you can use a potato masher to combine them to a smooth result.

    Which is better for you mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower?

    Nutritionally mashed potatoes and mashed cauliflower have different benefits. Cauliflower has several great benefits like fiber and nutrients according to Healthline while potato benefits are many according to WebMD.

    How do you make it not watery and thicken it?

    The 50/50 ratio is the best ratio to make sure that the recipe is thick, not watery and has a balanced flavor. To make thicker you can use more potatoes. Frozen cauliflower can tend to be water, therefore if you are using it, be sure to remove any excess moisture.

    Does potato cauliflower mash taste like potatoes?

    If you didn't know that there were veggies in the potato cauliflower mash, you would think you were eating regular mashed potatoes! The flavor and consistency of mashed potatoes is on the forefront making the taste and texture of cauliflower nearly non-existent.

    overhead shot of bowl of potato cauliflower mash

    Related Recipes

    • Thanksgiving Fruit Salad
    • Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
    • 10 Vegetarian Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
    • Healthy Corn Casserole without Sour Cream

    If you've made this recipe, would you please leave a star rating and comment below in the recipe card? If you would like more simple + delicious eats please subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram  for all of the latest updates.

    featured image for this recipe
    Print Pin
    5 from 2 votes

    Potato Cauliflower Mash

    When you're looking for a healthy side dish recipe that tastes like healthy comfort food with less calories, potato cauliflower mash is where it's at! Made with a 50/50 mix of Yukon gold potatoes and cauliflower florets, this easy weeknight side dish is a quick to make in the Instant Pot or stovetop in under 30 minutes!
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 80kcal
    Author Lyndsey

    Equipment

    • 1 potato masher

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes washed, peeled & cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 1 head cauliflower washed and cut into florets
    • 4 cloves garlic peeled
    • 2 cups chicken broth
    • 2 cups water
    • fresh herbs rosemary, thyme or parsley
    • 2 tablespoon butter vegan butter may be used
    • ¾ cup unsweetened plain almond milk 2% milk may be used

    Instructions

    Stovetop Instructions

    • Place cleaned potatoes, peeled garlic and cauliflower florets into a large stock pot. Cover with 2 cups of water and 2 cups of chicken broth. Place fresh herbs on top and season with a generous helping of salt.
    • Bring liquid to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes and cauliflower are fork tender.
    • Drain in a colander and discard fresh herb stems.
    • Return potato/cauliflower mixture to the pot and add in milk, butter and salt/pepper to taste. Use a potato masher to mash until desired consistency.

    Instant Pot Instructions

    • Place cleaned potatoes, peeled garlic and cauliflower florets into Instant Pot pot. Cover with 2 cups of water and 2 cups of chicken broth. Place fresh herbs on top and season with a generous helping of salt.
    • Pressure cook on manual for 10 minutes then do a quick release.
    • Drain in a colander and discard fresh herb stems.
    • Return potato/cauliflower mixture to the pot and add in milk, butter and salt/pepper to taste. Use a potato masher to mash until desired consistency.

    Notes

    • If using frozen be sure to drain cauliflower of moisture before mashing.
    • For less cauliflower flavor and more potato flavor reduce amount of cauliflower from 50/50 to 25/75 cauliflower to potatoes. For more cauliflower flavor (and less calories) increase cauliflower to 75/25 to potatoes.
    • I highly recommend using the Instant Pot method for the smoothest texture. If you or your family has texture issues the Instant Pot cooking method produced a smoother result for me.
    • For a cheesy flavor add gorgonzola or Parmesan cheese to the dish once you are mashing it.
    • Make Ahead: Potatoes and cauliflower may be peeled and washed the day before. Soak potatoes in water overnight if making the next day.
    • Freezer: May be stored in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
    • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
    • Reheating: Add 1 tablespoon or more of almond milk and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave over medium heat until heated through.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 17.6g | Protein: 3.1g | Fat: 0.3g
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @MommaFitLyndsey or tag #mommafitlyndsey!

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes
    • Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
    • Instant Pot Cornbread
    • Air Fried Zucchini Fries with Breadcrumbs

    About Lyndsey

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    headshot of Momma Fit Lyndsey

    Hi I'm Lyndsey! As a mom of two picky eaters, I know how hard it can be to feed your family nutritious meals! I love to create and cook healthy meals that my family actually loves to eat. These recipes are for you to feed your family food they love too!

    More about me →

    banner of featured in resources

    Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air Fryer Salmon Bites
    • Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
    • Air Fryer Brie
    • Ninja Foodi Whole Chicken
    • Chicken Nugget Charcuterie Board
    • 21 Air Fryer Appetizers

    Popular Posts

    • Aldi Charcuterie Board
    • Protein Blueberry Muffins
    • Argentine Red Shrimp in the Air Fryer
    • Air Fryer Sweet Potato

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About me
    • Disclosures
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Collaborations

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Mommy Fit Lyndsey