Creamy, dreamy and decadent, this easy mashed potato recipe will make your side dish dreams come true!
Make this for a holiday, make it for a Wednesday. Stop everything, and just MAKE it.
I don’t think I’ve ever met a potato I didn’t like, but these is the BEST mashed potatoes recipe you’ll ever try.
A bold statement? Sure! But seriously, homemade mashed potatoes are so good when you give them just a little bit of love.
Mashed potatoes are classic because there are so many ways to prepare them. They’re a blank canvas, essentially and YOU get to decide what goes in them.
If you want to keep things super simple, salt, pepper, butter and a little milk will be fabulous. If you want to kick it up a notch, then cream cheese, half and half and some seasoned salt/pepper are the way forward.
If you want to be SUPER fancy, add in some bacon, cheddar and green onions and you’ll have yourself some Loaded Mashed Potatoes. Sold!
They’re a staple on many household dinner tables, and always make an appearance during holiday in MY house.
I’ve included simple, step by step instructions (with pictures) below, and there are plenty of tips to be found in the Notes & FAQs box, too!
Serve these mashed potatoes with beef stew, on top of Shepherd’s Pie, under some Salisbury Steak…. you get the idea!
Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes.
Why this recipe works
- Easy. Simply peel, cut and boil potatoes, then mash them with your choice of mix ins.
- Delicious. Everyone loves these!
- Budget Friendly. Only a few ingredients, that you probably already have. No trip to the store needed!
- Versatile. These are “choose your own adventure” potatoes. Mix in some different flavors, to suit you and your family.
Kylee’s Notes & FAQs
Heat your liquid (half and half, cream, milk). Hot milk is better than cold, as it will keep your potatoes piping hot!
The less water in your potatoes when you mash them, the better it is. After draining, I sometimes add them back to the pot and set over the same element they cooked on (turned off), and let them “dry” a little so they are fluffier.
How can I make mashed potatoes better?
It sounds strange but don’t OVER mash. Using a stand mixer can make your potatoes gluey. No fun at all.
Mix up the seasonings. Add a flavored cheese in place of the cream cheese (I like the Boursin garlic/herb flavor).
How to tell if my potatoes are cooked properly?
You’ll know they are cooked if you can mash one against the side of the pot. You can use a knife or fork, too. They need to be soft all the way through (or you’ll have lumps!)
Should I soak my potatoes before making mashed potatoes?
You can, but I don’t. If you do – just soak them for 5 minutes and rinse. Doing so is a science thing – soaking cut potatoes removes excess potato starch. This means fluffy mashed potatoes (and not gluey!)
What can you put in mashed potatoes instead of milk?
Sour cream, half and half, yogurt – or just melted butter will all work if you don’t want to use milk.
What kind of potatoes are best for mashing?
I love Yukon Golds and Russet Potatoes.
What do do with leftovers
Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat until piping hot!
Substitutions/Additions
- Use sour cream or greek yogurt instead of half and half. Heavy cream can also be used
- A little garlic powder when mashing will make these super tasty.
Making ahead
If you are making these for a holiday – you can make them ahead. Simply pour the potatoes into a baking dish, and cover. Refrigerate. To serve – dot with butter, and bake in the oven until warmed through.
A crock pot/slow cooker will also keep these warm if you make them earlier in the day.
Equipment Needed:
Potato masher or potato ricer
How to Make Mashed Potatoes : Soaking Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes Recipe
FAQ
Should I soak my potatoes for mashed potatoes?
How long can potatoes sit in water before cooking for mashed potatoes?
How long should you soak potatoes for?
Can you boil potatoes after soaking them?
Do mashed potatoes need to be soaked?
When it comes to making mashed potatoes, there is some debate about whether soaking the potatoes is necessary. Some people believe that soaking the potatoes helps to remove excess starch, resulting in a creamier mash, while others argue that it’s an unnecessary step. So, do you soak potatoes for mashed potatoes?
Is mashed potatoes good for stomach ulcers?
A very recent study discovered that potatoes have an antibacterial compound that helps eliminate bacteria that cause ulcers and heartburn in the stomach. However, if a person has an ulcer, individual susceptibility and tolerance to mashed potatoes should be evaluated.
Why do potatoes need to be soaked before cooking?
In addition, this simple step will help potatoes cook more evenly. This is because soaking potatoes removes excess starch, which can build up and create a gummy and uneven texture. You can achieve the best results if you soak your potatoes, strain them, and then soak them again in fresh water.
Do mashed potatoes dry out?
Things happen, though, and you have a couple of options when they do. First, you can cover the mashed potatoes to help them retain heat, but this won’t help for long. Second, you can put them in the oven at a low temperature to keep them warm. However, anything longer than a couple of minutes may cause them to dry out.