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Are these the best mashed potatoes you’ll ever taste? With the slightly nutty and sweet roasted cauliflower, potato and cheese in them, they could well be!
Sausage and mash has always been one of those classic meals like spaghetti bolognese, shepherd’s pie or fish and chips over here in the UK. As we all well know, though, ‘classic’ doesn’t always have to equal good. I’m lookin’ at you, cheapy ‘value’ sausages and lumpy tasteless mash of the school diners and chain restaurants of my childhood!
Lately, though, the humble British ‘bangers and mash’ has had a bit of a revival, along with those other classics. Restaurants and especially pubs have been taking great pride in serving the best versions possible … with the creamiest mash and the best butcher’s gourmet sausages.
So … I thought I’d chime in here with a good version of sausage and mash of my very own. Well, more accurately, with my own interpretation of ‘the best mashed potatoes’ because you certainly don’t have to pair them with sausages. I admit that it’s possible, just possible that you have indeed tasted better than this, but I’m pretty sure no tastier mash has ever passed my lips!
What makes this mash so humbly delectable is that it’s a mixture of pureed roasted cauliflower and potato and cheese … oh, and a tiny bit of thyme. I’ve seen versions of mash with just cauliflower in, but to be honest some of the reviews I’ve read have accused it of being a bit tasteless and runny. Adding just a bit of potato too makes for a perfect consistency and gives your meal a ‘carb element’ as well.
I’ll most definitely be making this again … and again, and again. It was super easy to make (just roast cauliflower while boiling potato, wizz up cauli, potato, cheese & a bit of warm milk and butter in the food processor … done!) Don’t worry if you don’t have a food processor, though. Mashing and stirring would work just as well. I also liked that after I’d made the mash I could pop a cover on the dish and keep it warm in the oven until I was ready to serve.
What you end up with is a super smooth, slightly sweet, nutty and cheesy side dish that goes perfectly with sausages (of course!) but would be equally as great with a casserole or some grilled meat. The taste and texture even somehow reminded me a bit of hummus, would you believe!
Hope you feel tempted enough now to give this a try some time. Oh, and have a great weekend!
Cheesy roasted cauliflower mash (the best mashed potatoes!)
Ingredients
- 1 small to medium head of cauliflower cut into florets
- 1 medium-sized baking potato peeled and chopped into small chunks.
- 2 tablespoons tasty cheese e.g. cheddar, grated
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 thyme sprigs
- salt & black pepper
- really good quality sausages gravy & frozen veg (optional, to serve)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220C/420F.
- Spread the cauliflower out on a baking tray in one layer and drizzle with a little olive oil. Roast for about 15 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.
- Reserve a small handful of the roasted cauliflower florets, then tip the rest into 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 (add a little more if needed). 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 and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with sausages, gravy & veg (if you like!)
Notes
Nutrition
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Mary Frances says
Pass me the whole bowl! Helen, this looks so so good, even at 10 in the morning! 🙂 I never ever would’ve guessed that wasn’t potatoes. I have got to try this on my family asap – adding cauliflower to the grocery list!
Helen says
I was amazed at how lovely and smooth this mash was, too! The trick is definitely to still include a bit of potato. Please do try it out on your family … they’ll love it!
[email protected] Whole and Heavenly Oven says
I’ve tried mashed cauliflower before and loved it, but roasted?? And with potatoes and ALL THE CHEESE thrown into the mix too?! I am obsessed and pretty much drooling all over the place. This is going on the menu and I may or may not be inclined to share. 😉
Helen says
Oh no, definitely don’t share, Sarah! 🙂
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
I LOVE the looks of your cauliflower mash, Helen! It looks so creamy and deliciious, there’s no way I’d miss the potatoes!
Helen says
Thanks, Denise! Do have a go at this mash … you’ll never look back 😉
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
YES to sneaking in some wonderfully roasted cauliflower into this potata mash! And I am loving the thyme in there too – Lightened up and veggie packed goodness – who needs a plate – eh? 🙂
Helen says
Oh no, you certainly don’t need a plate. Just grab a spoon and dive in!
Joanne says
Cheesy and healthy…I like the sound of these way better than plain jane mashed taters!
Helen says
So happy to hear that, Joanne! 🙂
[email protected] Eats says
Helen, did I send you an email about this and totally forget to leave a comment? Am I losing it?
Helen says
Lol … yup, I guess you must be! 😉
Maggie says
At first I thought it’s a moist and creamy bowl of mashed potato, with a closer look, I found it’s even better! What a great idea to use roasted cauliflowers. So healthy and delicious 🙂
Helen says
Thanks, Maggie! Really glad you like the look of the mash. I’m still dreaming about it!
Izzy says
I’ve only tried to make cauliflower mash once and it was a complete disaster but yours looks so creamy and delicious!! Roasted vegetables are the best and that is a great idea to roast the cauliflower before mashing it! I am totally going to try that next time 🙂
Helen says
The key is definitely to mix in a bit of mashed potato as well as the cauliflower, Izzy. Give that a try next time and let me know how it goes!
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!
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! 🙂
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!