Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe (2024)

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Kimber Matherne

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These really are THE BEST Mashed Potatoes! Made with our special method, they come out extra creamy and are off the charts delicious with the addition of sour cream AND cream cheese.

These mashed potatoes are easy enough that they are our go-to for a family meal on a busy night, but special enough that we use them on the holidays as well! If you want perfect mashed potatoes, you found them!

this Recipe

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The Best Mashed Potatoes are EASY + Homemade!

When you find the recipe that is not only the best tasting but super easy and 100% doable on a busy night, you have a WINNER!

These mashed potatoes have been so well loved by our family over the years. When I serve them I constantly get asked for the recipe, so I am sharing it with you today!

The reason why these are the BEST Mashed Potatoes:

  1. EXTRA creamy and full of flavor
  2. EASY – no peeling, babysitting, or extra dishes, just one pot!
  3. Make Ahead– Can be made up to 3 days in advance when needed
  4. Scalable– these are just as easy to make for the holidays to feed a crowd as they are to make for a weeknight dinner for a family of 4.

I hope you enjoy this family favorite as much as we do!

How to Make Garlic Mashed Potatoes from Scratch!

This recipe is as simple and easy as promised. In this section I will walk you through my personal notes, tips, and tricks for this recipe.

Since we have readers with a variety of experience levels that use our recipes, I will add a lot of detail and hope to answer all of the questions that may arise when cooking. If I miss your question, please feel free to leave me a note in the comments.

Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe (2)

The Ingredients

These are a basic, yet flavor packed garlic mashed potato. We use simple, everyday ingredients to get the most flavor and the best creamy texture possible!

The Best Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes

The best mashed potatoes start right with your selection of potatoes. Yukon Gold or Red Potatoes definitely make the most creamy and delicious mashed potatoes!

It may seem like all potatoes are basically the same, but in reality potatoes have varying levels of starch content which can make the end result after cooking quite different.

Yukon Gold are my favorite pick because:

  • They boil well
  • The peel is tender and flavorful so no peeling is needed
  • They are naturally buttery
  • They mash without getting gummy

This recipe can be used with both yukon gold or red potatoes, as you can see in my photos, we make them with both!

The Garlic

These Mashed Potatoes use not one but TWO kinds of garlic to flavor them!

It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, our secret little method of boiling the garlic along with the potatoes, not only makes the process easier (no messy garlic presses) but also cooks the garlic perfectly to mellow the flavor.

The garlic powder gives it a little extra boost at the end, and you can add more or less to taste based on how garlicky you like your potatoes to be.

EXTRA CREAMY

The key to getting the potatoes to be extra creamy is the combo of:

  • Butter
  • Cream Cheese
  • Sour Cream

We don’t use milk in this recipe, but instead sour cream to make the potatoes even more creamy and give them a hint of tanginess! The cream cheese also adds tons of flavor and supports the texture of the mashed potatoes, while being able to melt right in.

How Long to Boil the Potatoes

This step is KEY!

How we boil the potatoes for mashed potatoes is a huge part of how they turn out in the end.

Always cut the potatoes before boiling. This will allow them to cook more quickly and evenly, resulting in a much creamier and tastier potato!

The potatoes should be cut into 1-2 in chunks as uniformly as possible. Depending on the size of your potatoes, this is usually cutting them into quarters or eighths.

Bring the water to a boil, then cook them for 8-12 minutes or until a fork can easily pierce them.

Dry The Potatoes

This sounds strange but is super easy and another key to what makes these the best mashed potatoes.

All you have to do is drain the potatoes in a collendar, then return them to the hot pot they came from and place them back on the hot burner (that you cooked them on but is now turned off.)

The residual heat from the pot will help the extra water evaporate from the potatoes which allows us to get creamier potatoes instead of watery potatoes.

Mash the Potatoes

Last but not least, we need the perfect mash.

I leave the potatoes on the burner and add the cream cheese, sour cream, butter, garlic powder, salt, pepper and oregano right on top.

Then I use a potato masher to mash the potatoes as I stir the ingredients into them.

Once you get the desired consistency (I like mine a little chunky) you can switch to a spoon and make sure everything is fully incorporated.

Tip: Avoid over mashing the potatoes. When they are over mixed or worked too much, they can start to become gummy.

Recipe Variations

These Garlic Mashed Potatoes are great because they have a flavor that meshes well with many other flavors and different dishes. They make an excellent base to expand on if you want to get creative and try something new!

Here are a few variations for the classic garlic mashed potato recipe.

  • Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes – Make as directed stirring in 1 cup of shredded parmesan cheese with the cream cheese and sour cream. Top with additional grated parmesan to serve.
  • Bacon Ranch Mashed Potatoes – Mix in 2 packages of dry ranch seasoning per 5 lbs of potatoes along with the cream cheese and sour cream. Once the potatoes are combined, stir in 1 cup of crispy crumbled bacon.
  • Fresh Herb Mashed Potatoes – Make as directed. Add 1 tbsp freshly chopped rosemary, 3 tbsp freshly chopped oregano, 3 tbsp freshly chopped basil, and 1 tbsp freshly chopped thyme to the potatoes at the end and stir them in to evenly distribute. Top with melted butter and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt.
  • Pesto Mashed Potatoes – Reduce sour cream to 1/2 cup and add 1/2 cup freshly prepared pesto when mixing in the cream cheese and sour cream.
  • Cilantro Cheddar Mashed Potatoes – Make as directed adding 1 cup (or more to taste) of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese when mixing in the cream cheese. Once the potatoes are mashed and mixed, stir in 1/2 cup (or more to taste) finely chopped fresh cilantro.
Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe (3)

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

If you want to get ahead for a busy week, or for a holiday meal, you can prepare these mashed potatoes ahead of time and simply reheat before serving.

Not all mashed potatoes work well for being made ahead, but the combination of using a low starch potato, preserved with dairy fat from the ingredients allows these potatoes to reheat well without becoming watery or grainy like other recipes.

Refrigerator Directions

You can make these mashed potatoes up to 3 days ahead of serving when stored in the refrigerator.

To make ahead:

  1. Make potatoes as directed in the recipe.
  2. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  3. Reheat per directions below.

Freezer Instructions

  1. Make as directed in the recipe.
  2. Scoop in single servings onto a cookie sheet and freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container.
    -OR-
    Freeze larger portions in a freezer bag. Scoop into the bag, squeeze out air and tightly close, then use a rolling pin to flatten so it can be stored flat and stacked.
  3. When ready to eat, thaw for 24-48 hours in the refrigerator.
  4. Reheat per directions below.

Reheating Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

When you are ready to serve the mashed potatoes you can reheat them on the stove top, or in the oven or even the microwave!

Stove top

  1. Place mashed potatoes in a pot.
  2. Heat over low-medium heat, stirring regularly.
  3. Stir in milk or cream a tablespoon at a time until they are are the desired consistency using up to 1/4 cup.

Oven

  1. Place mashed potatoes in an oven safe dish and cover with foil.
  2. Place in an oven preheated to 350˚F. Bake 10-20 minutes, or until heated through.
  3. Stir and add milk or cream as needed.

Microwave

  1. Place mashed potatoes in a microwavable dish and cover with a paper towel.
  2. Microwave for 1-2 minutes depending on how much is in your dish.
  3. Stir well, and continue to microwave in 30 sec-1 minute increments until the potatoes are heated through.
  4. Add milk or cream as needed to create the correct consistency.

How to Serve Mashed Potatoes

These homemade garlic mashed potatoes are delicious enough to be eaten on their own, but also flavor neutral enough to be served with white or brown gravy if that is your preference!

Topping options

Here are some other topping options that taste great with mashed potatoes:

  • Butter
  • Chopped green onions
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Bleu cheese
  • Crumbled bacon

Main dish pairings

Mashed Potatoes go well with holiday meals and every day meals! Here are some of our favorite entrees that go well with mashed potatoes.

Holiday dishes

  • Turkey
  • Ham
  • Prime Rib

Every Day Dinners

  • Chicken Marsala
  • Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Healthy Baked Chicken Tenders
  • Balsamic Pot Roast
  • Creamy Chicken and Asparagus

More EASY Side dish options

I really hope that you enjoyed my favorite mashed potato recipe as much as my family does! If you did, please take a moment to look through a few more of our side dish recipes and mark something to add to your next dinner!

  • Corn Casserole – Reader favorite!
  • Southern Squash Casserole
  • Creamy Chicken Piccata
  • Pressure Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup
  • PERFECT Oven Roasted Vegetables – My go-to recipe!
  • Homemade Buttermilk cornbread

Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe (4)

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

By: Kimber Matherne

4.50 from 4 votes

This Homemade Mashed Potatoes recipe is a family favorite! Made extra creamy with sour cream and cream cheese and perfectly flavored with garlic, these are packed with the best flavor!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

16 servings

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Ingredients

  • 5 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, (or red potatoes) cut into large chunks
  • 8 cloves garlic, fresh
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

  • Rinse potatoes and cut into large chunks. Place the potatoes and garlic cloves in boiling water and cook for about 8-12 min or until they are fork tender. (Cooking time will vary based on altitude)

  • Drain water from the potatoes and replace in the pot on hot burner and let sit 1-2 minutes. Add sour cream, butter, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and oregano.

  • Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes to the desired consistency combining with the cream cheese, sour cream and seasonings as you mash. Once they are at the right consistency, switch to a spoon and stir to make sure everything is incorporated evenly. Serve warm with butter or gravy! Enjoy!

Last step!Share a picture on Instagram and tag me at @easyfamilyrecipes!

Recipe Notes

Flavor

Both the garlic powder and salt can be scaled up or down to taste.

Potatoes can be topped with butter, gravy, chopped parsley, and/or chopped green onions or scallions.

Smaller Portion

To scale down for a family, use:

  • 2.5 lbs potatoes
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Instructions

These can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator or up to a month in advance when stored in the freezer.

  1. Prepare as directed.
  2. Refrigerate in an airtight container.
  3. When ready to serve, heat in a pot over medium heat stirring regularly for 5-10 minutes or until heated through. Stir in up to 1/4 cup milk or cream a little at a time, if needed to keep the potatoes the right consistency and creaminess.
    -OR-
    Heat in a microwave safe dish for 2 minutes. Stir and continue to heat at 30 sec-1 min increments stirring in between until potatoes are heated through. Stir in up to 1/4 cup milk or cream a little at a time, if needed to keep the potatoes the right consistency and creaminess.

Dietary Considerations

  • This recipe is naturally gluten free!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 212kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 19g (6%), Protein: 5g (10%), Fat: 14g (22%), Saturated Fat: 8g (50%), Cholesterol: 38mg (13%), Sodium: 413mg (18%), Potassium: 631mg (18%), Fiber: 4g (17%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 456IU (9%), Vitamin C: 17mg (21%), Calcium: 76mg (8%), Iron: 5mg (28%)

Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe (5)
Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe (6)

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Leave a Reply

  1. Elisabeth Smith

    Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe (7)
    The flavor was good, but I definitely feel it needs milk or cream.

    Reply

  2. kim

    Do you need too peel the potatoes first?

    Reply

    1. Kimber Matherne

      I don’t because we like the texture and extra nutritional benefits of the peel, but you can if you prefer completely smooth mashed potatoes.

      Reply

  3. Amy M

    Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe (8)
    Yummy! Picky eater kid said garlic amount was perfect, not too overpowering.

    Reply

  4. Kaylin

    Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe (9)
    Very good taste! I used frozen potatoes (Ore-Ida Steam ‘N’ Mash). They were definitely soft after boiling for 8 minutes. I don’t think I drained them enough, because my potatoes ended up runny. I added some parmesan to try to help thicken. Runny or not though, they still taste good enough to get seconds!

    Reply

  5. Kelsey

    I love this recipe! It was requested for thanksgiving.. I have to make 15 pounds worth. Do you think I could make it and then put it in the crockpot to keep warm for a few hours?

    Reply

    1. Kimber Matherne

      Absolutely! I’d add a little extra liquid because they get more solid as they sit. I actually just did this for my husband’s work.

      Reply

      1. Kelsey

        Awesome, thank you! Should I add more liquid while making the potatoes or after I make them and when I put them in the crock pot? Also, what liquid did you add?

        Reply

        1. Kimber Matherne

          I added it while making them so they were thinner than normal. I used heavy cream but milk would work also.

          Reply

  6. Kayce

    These mashed potatoes had great flavor. Works perfect as a side dish.

    Reply

  7. Mary Tristan

    Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe (10)
    Was amazing.

    Reply

  8. Dani Monique

    Are you to peel the garlic cloves? And then place whole garlic in with the potato chunks?

    Reply

    1. Kimber Matherne

      Yes you peel them and place them in whole. They will cook with the potatoes and then be soft enough that they get mashed when the potatoes do.

      Reply

  9. Mari

    Unsalted butter?

    Reply

    1. Kimber Matherne

      I always use salted but have tried the recipe with both and it doesn’t effect the taste much either way.

      Reply

Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is milk or water better for mashed potatoes? ›

Potatoes are like pasta, in that they leach starches into their cooking liquid. In the case of pasta, you want to reserve some of that liquid to give sauce a luscious shine and bind it to the noodles.

How long should you boil potatoes for mashed potatoes? ›

Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer, and cover. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until you can easily poke through the potatoes with a fork.

What can I add to my mashed potatoes? ›

Folding chives or scallions into mashed potatoes is a classic technique for a reason, but roasted garlic (garlic is also an allium), caramelized onions, or even a packet of Lipton's French Onion Dip, can all add unbeatable flavor to mashed potatoes.

What is the trick to thicken mashed potatoes? ›

You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.

Should I melt the butter before putting in mashed potatoes? ›

A word about butter: Don't melt butter before stirring it into the potatoes because the milk solids and fat will separate. You can add cold butter to your hot potatoes since the butter will melt as a whole and distribute the fat and milk solids evenly.

What should you avoid when making mashed potatoes? ›

Using the wrong type of potato.

Avoid waxy varieties like Red Bliss and fingerling when making mashed potatoes. Because these varieties have a low starch content, they don't break down or absorb dairy as well as other starchier varieties, and often result in a gluey or gummy texture when mashed.

Is it better to cut potatoes before boiling for mashed potatoes? ›

Drop a whole russet into the pot and by the time the outside has cooked through, the inside will still be raw. Larger potatoes should be cubed to ensure they cook evenly (peeled first if desired). Smaller potatoes tend to have thin skins and can be boiled whole, no peeling required.

Do you cover potatoes when boiling? ›

Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a bare simmer. Do not cover. (Covering changes the environment in the pot and can make the potatoes turn mushy.)

Why put salt in water when boiling potatoes? ›

Shower them with salt.

Dense potatoes don't absorb seasonings easily, so you'll need to salt the water liberally so that the water the potatoes do drink up also carries in seasoning. And because potatoes are so timid in flavor, they need that salt to bring them out of their shells. Pour some salt in, then keep going.

What makes mashed potatoes taste better? ›

Taste before serving: I like to add a scoop of Better then Bouillon chicken base for great flavor, or add more salt and pepper, sour cream, or melted butter, until you reach the flavor you want. nt to add more salt and pepper, or an extra scoop of sour cream, or a little melted butter.

How many potatoes per person for mashed potatoes? ›

Plan on 1/3 to 1/2 pound potatoes per person for your feast.

What happens when you put too much milk in mashed potatoes? ›

Runny potatoes can happen for a few different reasons. Too much liquid: This is the most common reason. In the mashing process you may have added too much milk or broth. Boiled too long: Boiling your potatoes for too long can make them water-logged, which (you guessed it) can contribute to runny mashed potatoes.

How do you make mashed potatoes fluffy and not gluey? ›

Removing the potato starch both before and after cooking ensures fluffy, not gluey, mashed potatoes.

What to do if you put too much water in mashed potatoes? ›

The best way to thicken runny mashed potatoes is to use a thickening agent, such as corn starch, potato starch, or tapioca starch. Add any of these one tablespoon as a time and stir into your mashed potatoes until you reach your desired consistency.

Is it better to boil potatoes in water or milk? ›

Milk is the best for mashed potatoes. (I will not get into lactose tolerance topic here) It makes it smooth and creamy. Water makes the potatoes brake…. It's like eating crashed boiled potatoes.

What is the most efficient way to mash potatoes? ›

A potato ricer is widely regarded as the best tool for mashed potatoes that are smooth and fluffy. Built like a big garlic press, it works by pushing cooked potatoes (one or two at a time) through a perforated grate, creating stringy, broken-down potato bits without releasing a ton of starch.

Should you use milk instead of water for instant mashed potatoes? ›

Most instant potato varieties call for you to combine the potatoes with water, but if you want your potatoes to taste a bit more indulgent, use milk instead. Whole milk will yield delightfully rich potatoes, but 2 percent milk works well too.

Is it better to use milk or heavy cream in mashed potatoes? ›

The best Creamy Mashed Potatoes consists of perfectly cooked russet potatoes, melted butter, heavy cream and a touch of tartness like crème fraîche.

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