The Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Cauliflower Mash
Published Nov 13, 2019 Updated Jul 11, 2023
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I have been eating these mashed potatoes since I was a small child. My mom was always such a great cook and this was one of her go to recipes. There was just something about these fluffy mashed potatoes. As a result, I would always lick my plate and ask for seconds. Not only were they creamy, but the buttery top was like velvet going down my throat. Simply so darn good!
In all seriousness, I actually preferred when she would use the boxed Instant Mashed Potatoes. Mom would use the Idahoan Real Premium Instant Mashed Potatoes when she was in a hurry, and they tasted like the real thing. Even from my experience using them, they save so much time and really don’t skimp on flavor and texture. So if you are crunched on time, give these instant potatoes a try.
Tips for the Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Yukon Gold Potatoes are going to be the best option to use to get super creamy potatoes. After boiling, these potatoes will mash amazing.
- Instead of boiling potatoes in small pieces, boil in larger chunks.
- Add the butter before adding anything else.
- Always use both sour cream AND cream cheese.
- Make sure to season. Salt and pepper are key!
What’s a great alternative if you can’t have potatoes?
No worries at all if you can’t have potatoes, I have you covered. In addition to my creamy mashed potato recipe, I have also included my Creamy Mashed Cauliflower. This recipe is not only tasty but tastes like the real deal. It is Keto, Whole30 and Paleo-compliant.
Creamy Cauliflower Mash
This is probably one of my favorite recipes I have created. The main reason is that it truly tastes identical to mashed potatoes. Now, I still say my mom’s recipe is better because of the cream cheese, but these are still fantastic. I have included this recipe below the real mashed potato recipe below.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes
- 3 1/2 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet Potatoes peeled OR Idahoan Real Premium Mashed Potatoes
- 3/4 package cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/2 stick butter softened and cut into chunks
- 1/2 16 oz container sour cream/
- 2 tablespoons whole milk warm
- salt and pepper to taste
- OPTIONAL add 2 teaspoons of Horseradish sauce for a little zing ( add more to taste)
Cauliflower Mash
- 2-12 oz bags cauliflower rice or 1 head of cauliflower
- 2 tsp ghee
- 2 tbsp canned coconut milk unsweetened
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt more or less to taste
- 1/4 tsp black cracked pepper
- 1 tbsp chives fresh or dried
Instructions
Mashed Potatoes
- Peel potatoes and cut into large chunks. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover potatoes with cold water.
- Bring to a boil and cook partially covered until easily pierced with a knife (boil 20-25 min depending on the size of your potatoes) Drain the potatoes and place in a large bowl.
- Use a hand held mixer or a potato masher and mash the boiled potatoes until smooth. I personally like using the hand held mixer for this step because it really whips the potatoes and makes them smooth.
- Add the butter and mix until completely until melted. Next add in the sour cream, cream cheese, and milk to the hot potatoes. Mix together using a big wooden spoon. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cut a small piece of butter and place on top along with a few sprinkles of pepper.
Cauliflower Mash
- Bring 1 head of cauliflower to a boil and cook for 10 mins or steam 2 bags of cauliflower rice in the microwave per instructions on the package.
- Drain liquid from the cauliflower and add to the food processor with garlic powder, chives, ghee, coconut milk, salt and pepper.
- Blend together until smooth and top with fresh chives. Make sure NOT over blend or it will turn into a soupy puree.
- Transfer the cauliflower mash to a bowl and top with ghee, salt, pepper and chives.
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is my favorite recipe for mashed cauliflower! I used it last year for Thanksgiving and have been using it ever since!! Thanks for all the great recipes!!
Love all your recipes
Thank you! I really appreciate your kind words.
Your recipes are so delicious! 😍
Delicious!!
These are so easy to make and you feel so much better after devouring them!!! Great with Meatloaf!
I just made the mashed cauliflower tonight with dinner… it was Fantastic! So flavorful and easy! Our family loved it! I used two bags of frozen riced cauliflower and instead of coconut milk, I used the unsweetened original nut pods. Five star! Yum!
YAY! So happy to hear this
These cauliflower mashed potatoes are the best!
Thank you!
Ashley,
Can just use 8 oz of sour cream right for the mashed potatoes? Do you use the oven to keep them warm? Very excited to try some of your recipes this thanksgiving. Thank you so much!
Absolutley! That will work great. And for sure, you can keep them in the oven to stay warm. Just make sure it is on the warmer setting. Hope you enjoy!
Your Recipe for Cauli Mash is sooooo Good!!! My husband was raised on Mashed Potatoes and he says he cannot tell the difference. Now that Sams offers the frozen Cauliflower, this recipe is even easier. Thanks so much for all you do to help me keep us healthy!!
I am so happy you guys like this recipe. I also buy my Cauliflower Rice in the freezer section at Sams and it really saves me money. Thanks for taking time to comment. 🙂
I have followed you now for the past year or more. Your recipes are amazing I love them all. Never thought I could like cauliflower mash until trying yours 😍. Thanks for all the wonderful recipes sharing your family, and support in the whole 30 journey!!
Awwww thanks so much Melissa. Your kind words mean so much to me. It is my pleasure to share my recipes and certainly the loves of my life with you. I know what you mean about the cauliflower mash. To take a traditional potato recipe and twist it to look and feel like the real thing was my hope. We love them too.
Blessings your way;-)