This Loaded Mashed Cauliflower is full of shredded cheddar, crisp bacon, and fresh green onions for a satisfying side dish.

Creamy and LOADED Cauliflower Mash

I’m a big fan of cauliflower, ok? I love it roasted, mashed, or turned into buffalo bites. It’s so good. Cauliflower is an incredibly versatile vegetable that can be used in many different ways. Plus, it’s good for you!

If you’re not a fan of cauliflower yet then this loaded mashed cauliflower is sure to change your mind after one bite. It’s full of bacon, sharp cheddar, and plenty of fresh chives for the perfect loaded flavor.

This recipe is easy to make and a delicious and beautiful side dish that’s perfect for a holiday or weeknight dinner.

loaded mashed cauliflower ingredients

Cauliflower Mash Ingredients

Fresh cauliflower: you’ll need one large head or around eight cups of fresh cauliflower florets for this recipe.

Garlic: I highly recommend using fresh garlic for the best flavor!

Full Fat Coconut Milk: a little full fat coconut milk helps to make the cauliflower smooth and creamy. I promise it doesn’t make the dish taste like coconut!

Butter: for that delicious buttery flavor! Salted or unsalted will both work.

Bacon: you can’t have a loaded anything with bacon, am I right?! you’ll need just a few strips.

Cheese: there’s plenty of shredded sharp cheddar cheese stirred all throughout the cauliflower plus a bit more on top for good measure.

Chives: to give the mashed cauliflower that classic “loaded” flavor this recipe uses fresh chives.

cauliflower florets in food processor

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Butter – don’t want to use butter? you can easily swap it for ghee or your favorite vegan butter substitute.
  • Bacon – not a fan of pork bacon? swap it for turkey bacon instead.
  • Chives – can’t find chives? thinly sliced green onion will work just fine!
  • Cheese – need to make a dairy free version? swap the cheddar with your favorite vegan shredded cheese.

processed cauliflower in food processor

Helpful Kitchen Tools

large pot

colander

food processor

mixing bowl

measuring cups

measuring spoons

sharp knife

casserole dish

mashed cauliflower, cheese, bacon, and green onion in bowl

How to Make Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Step One: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step Two: Add the cauliflower florets to a large pot and cover with water. Add in the fresh garlic cloves and bring the cauliflower to a boil. Boil the cauliflower for 15-20 minutes until fork tender.

Step Three: Thoroughly drain the cauliflower and garlic. Once all the water is drained, transfer the cauliflower to a food processor. Add in the coconut milk, salt, pepper, and ghee, and then pulse until the cauliflower is smooth and creamy. Give it a taste and add more salt and pepper if you prefer if you prefer.

Step Four: Transfer the mashed cauliflower to a mixing bowl and add 2/3s of the bacon, 4 oz of cheddar cheese, and chives. Stir until well combined and then transfer to a 9 inch oven safe baking dish.

Step Five: Top with the remaining bacon and shredded cheddar cheese. Place in a 350 degree oven for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey. Remove from the oven and garnish with chives before serving.

mashed cauliflower in casserole dish

Tips and Tricks

  • Drain the cauliflower well. Cauliflower has a higher water content than potatoes, so for the best results be sure to drain the cauliflower well. I like to let the cooked cauliflower drain in the colander for a few minutes before transferring to a the food processor. 
  • If you prefer a chunkier mashed cauliflower texture instead of the smooth and creamy texture, you can use a potato masher instead of a food processor. This will give you a chunkier mash with more texture. 
  • Shred your own cheese! I know it may be a little extra work, but I find that the cheese melts a bit creamier when I shred it myself, and we all want that creamy cheese pull.

loaded mashed cauliflower in casserole dish

How to Store and Reheat

Store: keep the loaded mashed cauliflower in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Reheat: I’ve found the best way to reheat this dish is in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute until heated through.

More Cauliflower Recipes You’ll Love

air fryer buffalo cauliflower

oven roasted cauliflower with tahini sauce

buffalo cauliflower tacos

roasted chipotle cauliflower tacos

loaded cauliflower soup

broccoli cauliflower salad

ground turkey shepherd’s pie

mashed cauliflower in casserole

I hope you give this Loaded Mashed Cauliflower a try! It’s the perfect holiday side dish or addition to weeknight dinner!

If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love.

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loaded mashed cauliflower with spoon in casserole dish

Loaded Mashed Cauliflower

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Ashlea Carver
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop & Oven
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Loaded Mashed Cauliflower is full of shredded cheddar, crisp bacon, and fresh green onions for a satisfying side dish.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets (roughly 8 cups)
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1/3 cup full fat coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 strips bacon, cooked and diced
  • 6 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese (yellow)
  • 2 tablespoon chives, plus more for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Add the cauliflower florets to a large pot and cover with water. Add in the fresh garlic cloves and bring the cauliflower to a boil. Boil the cauliflower for 15-20 minutes until fork tender.
  3. Thoroughly drain the cauliflower and garlic. Once all the water is drained, transfer the cauliflower to a food processor. Add in the coconut milk, salt, pepper, and ghee, and then pulse until the cauliflower is smooth and creamy. Give it a taste and add more salt and pepper if you prefer if you prefer.
  4. Transfer the mashed cauliflower to a mixing bowl and add 2/3s of the bacon, 4 oz of cheddar cheese, and chives. Stir until well combined and then transfer to a 9 inch oven safe baking dish.
  5. Top with the remaining bacon and shredded cheddar cheese. Place in a 350 degree oven for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey. Remove from the oven and garnish with chives before serving.

Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by: THE MINDFUL HAPA

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3 Comments

  1. Casey Colodny says:

    So good!!! I loved the creaminess of the cauliflower, just as good if not better then regular mashed potatoes!!






  2. Barbara A Bell says:

    This is soooo good!! Even the guys at the fire station liked em!!

    Thank you for the recipe!






    1. Natalie Perkins says:

      Thank you for sharing, Barbara! So glad you all enjoyed them!