Keto Bacon and Cheddar Cauliflower Mash (Printable version)

Creamy roasted cauliflower blended with sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, and garlic for a rich, low-carb side dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, approximately 2 lbs, cut into florets
02 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled

→ Dairy

03 - 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
04 - 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 2 tablespoons heavy cream

→ Meats

07 - 4 slices bacon

→ Seasonings

08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, adjusted to taste
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped, optional for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F
02 - Spread cauliflower florets and garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, season with salt, and roast for 20 to 25 minutes until cauliflower is tender and slightly golden.
03 - While cauliflower roasts, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and crumble once cooled.
04 - Place roasted cauliflower and garlic in a food processor. Add cream cheese, butter, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Pulse until smooth and creamy, scraping sides as needed.
05 - Add shredded cheddar cheese and blend until fully incorporated and melted from the heat of the mash.
06 - Transfer mash to a serving bowl. Fold in half of the crumbled bacon.
07 - Top with remaining bacon and sprinkle with fresh chives if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent without the carb crash that makes you regret lunch an hour later.
  • The bacon transforms a humble vegetable into something people actually fight over at dinner.
  • You can have this on your plate in less time than it takes to peel and boil potatoes the old-fashioned way.
02 -
  • If your mash looks broken or grainy after blending, it usually means your roasted cauliflower wasn't hot enough when you added the cold cream cheese, so let it rest for a minute before pulsing again.
  • Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that sometimes don't melt smoothly, so shredding your own from a block makes a measurable difference in how creamy this ends up being.
03 -
  • Pulse the cauliflower while it's still hot from the oven because warm vegetables mash more smoothly and the cheese melts better into the heat.
  • Don't be shy with the salt and pepper because cauliflower is mild and needs seasoning to shine, but taste first because bacon and cheese are already contributing sodium.
Go back