If you can’t find smoked ricotta cheese, you can use regular ricotta cheese and sprinkle a bit of smoked paprika on top.

That being said, choose a high quality ricotta cheese. If your ricotta seems a bit watery, drain off some of the liquid before incorporating into the cauliflower.
This is another amazing Thanksgiving Day side dish recipe option that’s super easy to prepare and would be a nice substitute for those looking to avoid mashed potatoes this year! The smokiness of the ricotta cheese creates a really interesting flavor profile!

Ricotta Mashed Cauliflower
Equipment
- Large pot
- Baking sheet or large platter
- Food processor
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cauliflower leaves removed and cauliflower cut into florets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ⅓ cup smoked whole milk ricotta cheese or regular whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream plus more if desired
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Cayenne powder to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives minced
Instructions
Boil the cauliflower:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets to the boiling water and cook for 10-15 minutes until fork tender. Drain the florets. Arrange on a baking sheet or large platter and pat dry with paper towels.
Blend the cauliflower:
- Transfer the cauliflower to a food processor and pulse until smooth.
Blend the mashed cauliflower:
- Add the ricotta cheese, heavy cream, butter, garlic powder, and chives to the food processor and continue pulsing until smooth and creamy, adding more cream if a smoother consistency is desired. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and a touch of cayenne powder.
To serve:
- Transfer to a serving dish and use the back of a spoon to smooth out the top of the dish. Sprinkle with a few more fresh minced chives. Enjoy!