Keto Bacon and Cheddar Cauliflower Mash (View Print Version)

Creamy low-carb mash featuring roasted cauliflower, sharp cheddar, and crispy bacon.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head cauliflower (approximately 2 pounds), 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, or to taste
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, optional garnish

# Method:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Spread cauliflower florets and garlic cloves on a baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, season with salt, and roast for 20–25 minutes until cauliflower is tender and slightly golden.
03 - Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble when 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 residual heat.
06 - Transfer mash to serving bowl and 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 genuinely indulgent, not like a virtuous substitute pretending to be something it's not.
  • The whole thing comes together in 40 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you're tired of salads.
  • Bacon and cheddar do the heavy lifting flavor-wise, so there's no weird aftertaste lurking at the end.
02 -
  • Do not skip roasting the cauliflower—boiling it makes it waterlogged and you'll spend forever trying to dry it out in the food processor.
  • Puree it while it's still hot because cold cauliflower is stubborn and won't blend into that silky texture you're after, no matter how long you blend.
03 -
  • Buy a rotisserie chicken and serve it alongside this mash instead of doing a separate protein—it saves time and makes the whole meal feel complete.
  • If your food processor is struggling, work in batches rather than overloading it, because fighting with the machine defeats the purpose of quick cooking.
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