If you aren’t ready to take the leap from potatoes to cauliflower, try an in-between recipe: mashed cauliflower and potatoes.
Jump to RecipeThe first time I heard people talk about switching out mashed cauliflower for mashed potatoes, I was not ok with that. Mashed potatoes were my favorite growing up. I would get home from school and make a bag of instant potatoes for my snack.
Then, a couple of years ago, I decided to try mashed cauliflower. It was surprisingly really good! I was shocked at how closely it tasted to real mashed potatoes.
But, I know some people may not be ready to completely make the switch. For those people, making mashed cauliflower and potatoes is a great option. This combines a bit of both. It’s a transition recipe.
Even though you are mixing two types of food, it still comes out creamy and smooth, like a regular batch of mashed potatoes. You can top these any way you would a regular serving of mashed potatoes.

Cauliflower and Mashed Potatoes Step by Step
Ingredients
- 1 lb Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 lb cauliflower florets
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp parsley
Preparation
Place the potatoes and cauliflower in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium and simmer until tender, about 15-18 minutes.
Drain the potatoes and cauliflower and add to a medium mixing bowl. Mash the potatoes and cauliflower with a potato masher.
Add the butter and mash until it’s melted and mixed in. Stir in the salt and pepper. Transfer to a large serving bowl (if desired) and sprinkle with parsley.

Leftovers
Store leftover mashed cauliflower and potatoes the same way you would a regular batch. They can go in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, I like to put them in a saucepan over medium heat. I add about a tablespoon of either milk or butter to help soften them. Stir often so they don’t burn. It takes about 5-10 minutes for the mashed cauliflower and potatoes to heat through.

Recipe
Originally Published On: September 27, 2021

Smooth and Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 lb Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 lb cauliflower florets
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp parsley
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Place the potatoes and cauliflower in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water
- Bring to a boil then reduce to medium and simmer until tender, about 15-18 minutes
- Drain the potatoes and cauliflower and add to a medium mixing bowl
- Mash the potatoes and cauliflower with a potato masher
- Add the butter and mash until it’s melted and mixed in
- Stir in the salt and pepper
- Transfer to a large serving bowl (if desired) and sprinkle with parsley
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
More Recipes with Mashed Potatoes
- Guinness Beef Stew with Mashed Potatoes
- Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes
- Smooth and Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes
- Irish Potato Casserole
- Upside Down Shepherd’s Pie
- Homemade Pierogi
More Thanksgiving Recipes
- Leftover Turkey Tortellini Soup
- Turkey Gravy from Scratch
- Smooth and Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes
- Instant Pot Turkey Roasted to Perfection
- Grandpa’s Sweet Potato Casserole
- Buttermilk Biscuits
- Ambrosia Salad
- Roasted Butternut Squash
- Pumpkin Pie
- Cranberry Sauce Leftovers in Mini Jello Cups
- Homemade Stuffing or Dressing Recipe with Fresh Bread
- Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes
- Easy Apple Pie
- Chicken and Dumplings
- Lemon Herb Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot
- Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe
More Vegetables Sides
- Grandpa’s Sweet Potato Casserole
- Smooth and Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes
- Yellow Squash Casserole
- Roasted Butternut Squash
- Garlic-Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
- Garlic-Roasted Radishes
- Summer Veggie Stir-Fry
- Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
- Roasted Asparagus
- Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
- Roasted Vegetable Salad
Other Potato Recipes to try
- Smooth and Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes
- Sheet Pan Salmon with Smashed Potatoes
- Guinness Beef Stew with Mashed Potatoes
- Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes with a Secret Ingredient
- Sheet Pan Ranch Pork and Potatoes
- Kale Beef Stew with Smashed Potatoes
- Lemon Thyme Chicken Dinner with Potatoes and Green Beans
- Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes
- BBQ Pork Potatoes in the Slow Cooker
- Roasted Potatoes Seasoned for Any Meal
- Potato Leek Skillet
- Sausage Potato and Kale Soup
- Country Ham Hash Breakfast
- Homemade French Fries in 20 Minutes
I like the sound of mashed cauliflower and potatoes – I love both so it would be a winner for me! We eat a lot of mashed potato so I will give it a try mixed with cauliflower next time.
Mashed potatoes were always my favorite, even as a kid. I couldn’t tell a difference with the added cauliflower and it was healthier!
I was just telling my husband I wanted to try to make mashed potatoes! What a great recipe!
This is exactly the type of dish my family would love. I can’t wait to try it!
Oh! What a fantastic way to hide vegetables! My little one loves mash potatoes but she going through a phase where she does everything to avoid veggies that before she would happily enjoy. I will be doing this very soon!
That’s such a great idea. I must try this on my husband. He says he doesn’t like cauliflower but I bet he wouldn’t even notice.
I tried mashed cauliflower at a restaurant and I didn’t really care for it. This is a great compromise.
Oh this recipe sounds so good. Really lovely homey comfort food. Will have to try this out soon
What a great way to get the little ones to eat more veggies!
You know what I don’t usually like cauliflower but this may well be the way to get me to eat it, mixing it in with potatoes and making it super smooth x
My husband loves creamy dishes like this one. We are going to be changing up our meals this season and hope to add this one to our list of side dishes.
I love the idea of combining both! What a delicious side…I loved mashed cauliflower. This sounds and looks so good!
OOh this looks delicious and easy to make and an easy way to add an extra vegetable into the mash – in fact I made mash potatoes tonight but wouldn’t have thought to put cauliflower in it as well and I love cauliflower so deffo going to try this
Laura x
I’m definitely trying this one down the road…maybe for a pre-Thanksgiving meal. Even better since I just became a fan of cauliflower.
Cauliflower and creamy mashed potatoes sounds like a great autumn dish. I can’t wait to try this one out!
I have never mashed cauliflower and potates together but this looks absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait to serve this on sunday with my roast
Simple and Quick to make dish. Would like to give it a try. Thanks for the pointer!
Wow! You know mashed potato (which we Bengali call it as aloo sedhho) is one of my favourites ❤️ But I have never had mashed cauliflower before! I’ll try it tomorrow as I have everything on hand 😍
Any combination of fruits and veggies are good to me.