Description
Creamy classic mashed potatoes elevate any dinner with pure comfort and rich flavor. Buttery, smooth, and irresistibly delicious, you’ll savor each comforting spoonful of this timeless side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes:
- 5 pounds potatoes (half Yukon Gold, half Russet)
Dairy:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- fine sea salt
- freshly-cracked black pepper
- chopped fresh chives or green onions
Instructions
- Prepare potatoes by cutting them into uniform 1-inch chunks, choosing to retain or remove skins based on personal texture preference. Yukon Gold varieties offer a delightful rustic appearance when skins are left intact.
- Place potato chunks in a large stockpot, adding whole garlic cloves and salt to cold water. Utilizing cold water ensures even cooking and prevents uneven texture. Bring liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer for 10-12 minutes until potatoes become fork-tender.
- Drain potatoes completely and return to the hot pot. Position over low heat for approximately one minute, gently shaking to eliminate residual moisture. This technique prevents watery mashed potatoes and concentrates their natural flavors.
- Employ a potato masher, ricer, or food mill to transform potatoes into a smooth consistency. Incorporate melted butter gradually, folding gently to maintain a light, airy texture. Add cream cheese in stages, mixing carefully to prevent dense, gummy results.
- Conduct a flavor assessment, adjusting salt levels to enhance the potatoes’ inherent richness. Proper seasoning elevates the dish from ordinary to extraordinary, transforming a simple side into a memorable culinary experience.
Notes
- Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the fluffiest, creamiest texture that absorbs butter and cream perfectly.
- For ultra-smooth potatoes, use a ricer or food mill instead of a masher, which prevents overmixing and potential gumminess.
- Always start potatoes in cold, salted water to ensure even cooking and deeply seasoned potatoes from the inside out.
- Swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a tangy, lighter version, or use sour cream for added richness without extra heaviness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg