There’s mash, and then there’s THIS potato cauliflower mash. With slightly nutty and sweet roasted cauliflower, potato and cheese in them (and a bit of yummy thyme), they could well be your new go-to mash recipe – especially as they’re really easy to make ahead!
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The BEST cauliflower mashed potatoes!
There aren’t too many recipes that I would call my ‘go-to recipes’. There’s THIS amazing Greek chicken and potatoes that I literally could eat every day of my life, for instance. There’s this easy moussaka which I like to make for guests. And there’s this nothing-short-of-incredible 6-ingredient Swedish chocolate cake, which I have dreams about!
But when it comes to mashed potatoes, THIS potato cauliflower mash recipe is always the one I turn to.
What’s so great about it? Well, here goes…
- It’s a mixture of pureed cauliflower AND potato AND cheese. Mashed cauliflower alone can be a bit too runny. Adding a little potato too makes the mash just right.
- The cauliflower is roasted. It’s an easy step, but it gives the mash a delicious, slightly nutty and sweet flavour. Yum.
- You can make it ahead. I sometimes make it the day before. I pour it into some kind of small serving dish with a lid. When I’m ready to serve up dinner, I simply reheat on medium power in the microwave.
- It looks fancy! Save some of the delicious roasted cauliflower florets to sprinkle over the top, and drizzle over a bit of olive oil.
What ingredients do you need?
- roasted cauliflower
- boiled potato
- warm milk infused with fresh or dried thyme
- cheese and butter (swap for a big drizzle of olive oil if you prefer or for vegan cheese and olive oil if you want to make your mash vegan)
- salt and pepper to taste
How do you make it?
All you do is roast cauliflower while boiling a bit of choppped potato (photos 1 and 2). Then you pulse the cauliflower, potato, cheese and a bit of warm herb-infused milk and butter in the food processor (photos 5 to 8). Done!
I usually warm the milk in a small saucepan and add some thyme to infuse with the wonderful flavour. If I’m feeling a bit short on time though I sometimes mix the thyme into the milk and microwave it instead (photo 3)!
Just like this…
You will end up with a mash that is somewhere between classic mashed potatoes and a potato puree. If you’d prefer your mash to be a bit thicker, simply add a bit more potato.
Save some of the smallest, crispiest bits of cauliflower for garnishing the top!
The best part is warming the milk with thyme in it on the stove. It’s strangely calming and satisfying, and smells divine!
Pro tips: 1. Don’t over process. If you blend for too long, the mash can become a little too smooth and ‘gloopy’ – at least for my liking! 2. Once you’ve made it, you can pop a lid or cover on it and keep it warm in the oven until you’re ready to eat.
What can I serve with it?
- With a roast. Any kind of roasted meat or baked fish, or even a vegetarian alternative like this delicious baked eggplant goes well. I usually serve more roasted vegetables with this meal, too, and maybe some delicious gravy! If you have an air fryer, please do try my 1-hour air fryer rotisserie chicken!
- Good quality sausages. This meal is delicious comfort food either as it is or with a green vegetable on the side.
- With a casserole such as this Mediterranean stove top chicken casserole or this baked chicken and chorizo with cherry tomatoes.
- Believe it or not, the taste and texture of this mash reminds me a little of hummus! So if you are feeling brave, why not serve it as a dip with raw vegetables, bread sticks or tortilla chips?
More things to know (FAQ)
Don’t worry if you don’t have a food processor. Mashing and stirring works well too. Just use your potato masher, or even a fork. Your mash might not be quite as smooth, but that’s OK.
A hand-held blender can work well too.
Well… there’s only a little bit of butter and cheese in each portion of mash. But if you prefer you can add a big drizzle of olive oil instead of butter. You could even skip the cheese altogether if you like, or use less of a stronger tasting cheese. Something like parmesan or even feta would work really well.
Skipping the butter and cheese will make this a vegan cauliflower mash, of course. 😉
The beauty of this recipe (other than the fact it’s incredibly delicious) is that it’s very easy to make it up to 3 days ahead. Just cover and keep in the fridge until you’re ready to eat. Then microwave on reduced power for a few minutes until piping hot.
The answer to this is… again… YES! Perhaps surprisingly, the added butter and cheese will help the mash to keep well in the freezer.
Simply pour into a freezer container, put an airtight lid on and freeze for up to a month. If you like, you can roast just a little extra fresh cauliflower for the top just before serving, but this step is not essential by any means.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Try these crispy brussels sprouts with tahini sauce and almonds instead. They’ll be the best brussels sprouts of your life!
More easy potato side dishes
- If you try one more potato recipe from Scrummy Lane, let it be these amazing Greek potatoes!
- These crispy smashed potatoes are also Greek style, but ready a little quicker than the potatoes above. You can even make them in your air fryer!
- Looking for a show stopping potato side? Try this potato bake with bacon, or these creamier garlic parmesan potatoes (aka dauphinoise potatoes).
- If you’re looking for something a little different, try these mini garlic and parmesan hasselback potatoes!
Or see all my side dish recipes here.
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Potato Cauliflower Mash (Make Ahead)
Equipment (affiliate links)
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
- 1 medium cauliflower cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for roasting)
- 1 medium potato peeled and chopped into small chunks.
- 4 tablespoons grated cheese (or 1 handful – any strong cheese e.g. strong cheddar)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 thyme sprigs (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- salt & black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220C/420F.
- Spread the cauliflower out on a baking tray in one layer and drizzle with the olive oil. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cauliflower is golden and almost caramelised.
- At the same time, boil the potato chunks until they are soft (about 15 minutes). Also warm the milk in a small saucepan with one of the thyme sprigs or the dried thyme.
- Put aside a small handful of the roasted cauliflower florets. Then put the rest into the bowl of a food processor and blend with a bit of the warm milk (thyme sprig removed!).
- Add the potato, butter, cheese and as much of the rest of the milk as you need to blend to a smooth puree.
- Finally, grind in plenty of salt and pepper and blend for a couple more seconds.
- Scrape the mash into a nice serving dish. Top with the reserved cauliflower florets, a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves (if using fresh) and a drizzle of olive oil.
Allie | Baking a Moment says
Mnmm! My mouth is watering! I love “bangers and mash,” and the idea of a cheesy, nutty, roasty cauliflower version is making me hungry!
Helen says
I’m happy to hear you’ve heard of bangers and mash, Allie …. and that this version of the mash tempts you! 😉
Liz says
Your mash sounds amazing! I’ve finally gotten Bill to like roasted cauliflower, and I think he’d go for this, too!!! If not, I’d be happy to eat the whole batch 🙂
Helen says
Thanks so much, Liz! I feel honoured to have made something that your hubby might like! 🙂
Kathleen | HapaNom says
Wow! I love this dish – such incredible flavors! I love that you’ve used cauliflower as the primary veg in this dish and your photos are fantastic!
Helen says
Hi, Kathleen … thank you sooo much for the compliment on the photos. I take that as a huuuuge compliment coming from you!
Melanie @ Bon Appet'Eat says
First of all, I love the pictures, amazing shots!
Second, I looks super good, and we make it at home too and it is always a success.
Thirdly, so sorry I have not visited your blog in so long… I fell off the wagon.
I think that’s it! 🙂
Helen says
Hello, Melanie! Don’t apologise for not passing by … I totally understand! Really happy that you did though today and of course – really happy you like the mash!
mila furman says
This looks really great! We have mashed cauliflower more often than mashed potatoes now! Yum!
Helen says
Hello, Mila! Really glad you like it … it’s definitely my new favourite side dish. I just couldn’t stop eating it when I made it last!
Ashley says
Oooo I love that this has both cauliflower and the bit of potato! It looks fantastic – and so dang comforting! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Helen says
Hi, Ashley! Thanks! Hope you are having a great start-of-week!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
Whoa. I am so trying this!! Yum!!!
Helen says
🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This cauliflower looks delicious, Helen! I’ve always wanted to try a version like this. Sounds so full of flavor!
Helen says
Thanks, Gayle … DO try it – you’ll never look back! 😉
Laura says
I’m just laughing out loud at the “classic U.K.” meals. I guess I’ve never heard of sausage and mash and I’m thinking, hmmmm. I had to be honest, when I was visiting the UK, the food looked nothing like the delicious food on your blog. Anyhow, I love potatoes, but the idea of incorporating cauliflower, the nuttiest veggie out there is fabulous! Roasted cauli will always be my favorite. I think these would be perfect with a nice roast or ham for Sunday lunch.
Helen says
Oh, Laura, you obviously didn’t find the best places to go when you were in the UK. There is indeed some dodgy food to be found, but there is some excellent food, too – good pubs are great places to find it in particular.
I actually didn’t know sausage and mash was only a British thing … wow! You’ve got to try it, Laura … especially with this amazing mash!
Culinary Ginger says
What a delicious way to serve cauliflower. I love mash and I could eat the whole dish by myself, great recipe.
Helen says
Thanks, Janette! I did actually want to eat the whole dish with myself but I had to share 🙁 Next time I’ll make a whole bowl just for me!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
hehe snap Helen! I’m in great company with cauliflower recipes 😀
Helen says
Agreed! Loved yours!
Annie @ ciaochowbambina says
Your food is so comforting and beautiful! This is a meal I need to make asap! Love your rustic charm, my friend!
Helen says
Thank you, Annie! What a compliment! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
I absolutely love the flavour of roasted cauliflower, so I can only imagine how good this mash is. I wish I had a big bowl to enjoy right now!
Helen says
Hello, Amanda … thanks so much for passing by! I could eat a big bowl of this right now, too … and it’s breakfast time!
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says
I’ve been meaning to try this! Your mash is gorgeous! Pinned!
Helen says
Hi, Karen, and thanks so much for the pin!
Eva says
Je ne jamais testé le purée de coli fleur ! Quand j’étais petite, ma mère le faisais souvent au four avec la béchamel. J’ai vu ta photo en Facebook et c’est ma fille qui ta mis le commentaire. Elle a vu la photo et elle m’ai dit : “Laisse moi écrire un commentaire ici” ! Ton purée ça donne vraiment envie ! Bon weekend 🙂
Helen says
Ahhh, Eva …. merci beaucoup! Je me sens tres honoree que ta fille a ecrit un si beau commentaire! 🙂
mira says
Love it Helen! I make a similar mash, with potatoes and cauliflower, I just leave it a little more watery. Love yours and will definitely try it! The addition of sausage sounds fantastic!
Helen says
Thanks, Mira! I love the cauli and potato combo … I think the consistency is just right, but it’s so easy to adapt it to your personal taste with a little more or less milk.
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Chrissy says
First off, love the bowl. Second, I have bangers and and mash on my to-do for the next few weeks. so I’m totally going to try this!
Helen says
Oh, please do, Chrissy! I know you’ll love these!
Annie @Maebells says
I have to make this ASAP! It looks incredible!
Helen says
Thanks, Annie … really hope you do!
marcie says
Oh my gosh, Helen, I want to eat that whole bowl! This looks beyond delicious, and with the roasted goodness of cauliflower, these would be the best mashed potatoes ever! Pinned, and have a great weekend!
Helen says
Hi, Marcie! I’m so happy I impressed you with this mash! It really is delicious … thanks so much for pinning, and you have a great weekend, too!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I love making cauliflower mash, but I have never tried it with roasted cauliflower. What a great idea!
Helen says
Thanks, Dannii! This was a first for me, too, but now I’ll never look back … tee hee 😉