We are in the dead of summer, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting a little bit of comfort food every now and then.
This Loaded Cauliflower Mash is a perfect substitute for twice baked potatoes, and has none of the heavy ingredients that make them such a calorie bomb. Believe it or not, this dish is dairy free, gluten free, low-carb and Paleo-approved. With only 5 ingredients, this Loaded Cauliflower Mash is super easy and quick, and is both husband and kid approved. My 3 year old ate an entire bowl full and still wanted more.
I used a dairy free cheese substitute in this recipe, but if dairy is not an issue for you, feel free to use regular cheese if you please. I also use a tablespoon of coconut cream, but that can also be subbed for sour cream, or omitted entirely if you want to keep things light.
Creamy, savory and oh-so filling, this recipe makes the perfect side dish for any meat and potato lover.
- 1 lb bag cauliflower florets or about 8 cups of trimmed cauliflower
- 4 strips Paleo bacon; if you can’t find Paleo bacon, use nitrate and sugar free bacon
- ¼ cup dairy free cheddar cheese shreds
- 1 Tbsp. coconut cream in the can (I use Thai Kitchen brand)
- ¼ cup green onions; finely sliced
- Salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste
- In a large, microwave-safe dish, put in cauliflower florets and about ¼ cup water. Cover with saran wrap tightly and cook on high for 10 minutes.
- Prepare your bacon according to package directions, and when finished, chop it into bite sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced green onions, cooked bacon and dairy free cheese, reserving a small amount of each for topping.
- When cauliflower is done steaming, place it in a strainer and let it set for 2 minutes so excess water is drained out.
- Add cauliflower into mixing bowl and combine with other ingredients.
- Stir in coconut cream and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.
- When thoroughly mixed, Transfer mixture to a food processor and pulse until mixture is the texture of mashed potatoes. 2-3 pulses should do it.
- Return mixture to your bowl and place mixture in fridge for ten minutes so cauliflower can firm up.
- Start your broiler on high, and move oven rack about 6″ from the heat source.
- Remove cauliflower mixture from the fridge and place it in an oven safe baking dish.
- Top with dairy free cheese, green onions and bacon crumbles, and place in the broiler until cheese is fully melted and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.