The Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Elevate family mealtime with the ultimate side dish – these mashed potatoes! Crafted from a straightforward and delicious recipe, they boast the title of the BEST mashed potatoes, tailored perfectly for large gatherings. With a rich and creamy texture, this crowd-pleaser is sure to steal the spotlight on your holiday menu.

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If I could only eat one type of food for the rest of my life, I’d easily choose potatoes. Potato chips, potato pancakes, potato gnocchi. There are just SO many possibilities. If we had to narrow it down though, mashed potatoes-specifically this recipe, would without a doubt be at the top of my list! 

Over the years, I’ve perfected my mashed potato recipe, before ending up with this thick, creamy, and indulgent recipe. I’ve taken inspiration from my mom, along with various TV chefs to end up with what I believe is the BEST recipe for homemade mashed potatoes. Friends and family across the globe would agree–here’s your chance to give them a try too! 

Creamy Mashed Potato Ingredients

Of course, the best mashed potatoes have to start with some of the tastiest ingredients!

• Potatoes: obviously, we’re starting with potatoes here. Russet potatoes are my go-to and typically best known as the star of the show for mashed potato and baked potato recipes. Their skin is great when roasted, but not my favorite in this type of recipe, so I highly recommend peeling them. For a mashed potato recipe that doesn’t require peeling, try these: Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
• Butter: Butter is a crucial component in mashed potato recipes, enhancing both flavor and texture. It adds richness, contributes to creaminess, and prevents dryness by providing moisture. Additionally, it helps balance the neutral taste of potatoes and has a long-standing tradition in creating comforting and satisfying mashed potatoes. 
• Cream cheese: Incorporating cream cheese into mashed potatoes elevates the dish by imparting a luxurious creaminess and a subtle tanginess. The cream cheese not only enhances the texture, making the potatoes velvety and smooth, but also contributes a rich flavor that complements the natural taste of the potatoes.
• Sour cream: Sour cream is a versatile addition that lends a touch of brightness to mashed potatoes, elevating them from a basic side dish to a flavorful and satisfying culinary delight. The sour cream not only adds a subtle zing that enhances the overall flavor profile but also contributes to the creaminess of the potatoes, making them exceptionally smooth.
• Grated Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese adds a savory depth to mashed potatoes, elevating their flavor profile with its distinctive taste. The cheese contributes a rich and nutty essence, enhancing the overall indulgence of the dish.

How to Make Mashed Potatoes

These mashed potatoes are fairly simple. Start by thoroughly rinsing, then peeling the potatoes. Chop the potatoes into pieces that are roughly an inch thick. Submerge the chopped potatoes in a pot of cold salted water, then bring the water to a boil.

While the potatoes are boiling, set out the remaining ingredients, if you haven’t already to allow them to soften. 

Once the potatoes are tender enough to be pierced by a fork, drain out the water, then add the potatoes and remaining ingredients to a stand mixer. Tossing them into a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, gets them smooth and fluffy.

If there are other dished that you need to work on, I recommend either leaving these until towards the end, since they come together easily. Alternatively, they can be made in advance, and reheated at meal time.

To reheat, place these mashed potatoes in an oven safe dish. Top with a few pats of butter, then cover with aluminum foil, and heat at a low temperature, until heated through. Or the microwave works fine too! 

When it comes to servings, if you’re wondering how many pounds of potato to prepare per person, I like to estimate about 1/2 pound per person. Keep that in mind if you plan to scale this recipe at all! 

These creamy mashed potatoes redefine the notion of a simple side dish, transcending the ordinary with each velvety spoonful. The marriage of butter, sour cream, and grated Parmesan adds layers of flavor and texture, transforming the humble potato into a culinary indulgence. 

Whether served at a festive holiday gathering or a casual dinner, these mashed potatoes promise to be the star of the table, delivering comfort and satisfaction in every bite. So, indulge your taste buds and elevate your meals with the irresistible richness of these creamy mashed potatoes. Your dining experience will never be the same again!

Are mashed potatoes your favorite Thanksgiving side dish too?

For another fantastic potato recipe, try my super easy Instant Pot Potato Soup or Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes!