Loaded mashed cauliflower – topped with crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, and chives! A super easy and delicious holiday side dish.
This is one of the easiest recipes you can make for Thanksgiving, or make them just because! Also, it’s minimal ingredients which is always a plus. You just need either a food processor or immersion hand blender for this. Click here for my food processor and immersion hand blender – both would make great gifts!
I’m not quite sure what cauliflower can’t do? We have cauliflower gnocchi, cauliflower pizza, cauliflower rice – the list goes on! But, this loaded mashed cauliflower has made it to the top of my list.
Some other Thanksgiving recipes:
Lightened up brussels sprout gratin
Crispy Brussels sprouts with dijon aioli
Sweet potato crostini with pear and brie
Maple Bourbon air fried brussels sprouts and squash
Crock-Pot Pumpkin Mac & Cheese
Don’t get me wrong I love good ol’ fashion mashed potatoes. But, I figured this recipe might be a good way to change it up. I used turkey bacon but you can certainly use regular bacon if that’s more of your thing. For the cheese, I shredded sharp cheddar from a block. That being said, shredding cheese yourself from a block melts so much better than pre-shredded cheese. I’ve also noticed shredded cheeses have so many added unnecessary ingredients!
My recipes have been on a serious cheese kick lately. Mostly because the holidays and cheese seem to be quite the combo. It is what it is. Cheese is my weakness and definitely the only dairy product I can’t stay away from.
So make sure to add this delicious side dish to your holiday menu!
PrintLoaded Mashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
2 heads of cauliflower, cut into florets
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
3 tbsp milk, I used unsweetened cashew milk, heavy cream or full fat coconut milk will make it creamier
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried dill
salt and pepper to taste
3 slices of turkey or regular bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tbsp chopped chives, or to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Add salted water to a large pot (enough to cover the cauliflower) and bring it to a boil.
Add cauliflower and cook until tender, about 8 minutes.
Drain very well and remove excess water by patting down with a clean dish towel.
If using a food processor – add cauliflower to the food processor (you may have to work in batches) with olive oil or butter, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, salt and pepper. Pulse until smooth and creamy. Taste and add more seasonings/milk if need be.
If using immersion blender – add cauliflower back to the pot with olive oil or butter, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add more seasonings/milk if need be.
Add mashed cauliflower to a casserole dish.
Top with bacon and shredded cheese.Bake at 350 for 6-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and mashed cauliflower is warm enough.
Top with chives and serve immediately!
