Description
Creamy baked mashed potatoes elevate comfort food to gourmet heights with their luxurious texture and rich flavor profile. Silky potato perfection brings warmth and indulgence to family gatherings, promising a delightful side dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 pounds (2.27 kilograms) russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 8 tablespoons (113 grams) salted butter, melted
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) half-and-half, warmed
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter for topping
Seasoning and Garnish:
- 12 teaspoons salt, to taste
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- Optional: Fresh chives, finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Peel russet potatoes and slice into uniform cubes, ensuring even cooking. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to eliminate excess starch, preventing gumminess.
- Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge potato cubes and cook for 12-15 minutes until easily pierced with a fork, indicating perfect tenderness.
- Drain potatoes completely and return to the pot. Place on low heat for 2-3 minutes, allowing residual moisture to evaporate and preventing watery texture.
- Transfer potatoes to a mixing bowl or stand mixer. Mash gently on low speed, breaking down potatoes into a smooth consistency without over-processing.
- Gradually incorporate melted butter, blending smoothly. Add softened cream cheese, mixing until potatoes become creamy and luxurious. Adjust thickness by slowly introducing warm half-and-half.
- Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, tasting and adjusting flavors to personal preference.
- Spread mashed potatoes evenly into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Strategically dot remaining butter cubes across the surface for enhanced richness.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake potatoes for 40-45 minutes until the top develops a golden, crispy crust and edges become slightly caramelized.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped chives, adding a vibrant color and subtle onion-like flavor to the dish.
Notes
- Choose russet potatoes for their high starch content, ensuring a fluffy and creamy texture when mashed.
- Rinse potatoes thoroughly to remove excess starch, preventing gummy or sticky mashed potatoes.
- Steam out moisture after boiling to guarantee light and airy potato consistency.
- Avoid overmixing potatoes to prevent a gluey, dense result that lacks the desired creamy texture.
- Gradually add warm half-and-half to control the potato’s final consistency and prevent runny mashed potatoes.
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for smoother integration into the potato mixture.
- Use low-speed mixing to maintain the potatoes’ delicate structure and prevent breaking down their texture.
- Consider using a potato ricer for extra-smooth mashed potatoes with no lumps.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg