You can’t beat a good creamy mashed potatoes recipe. The affordable, crowd-pleasing side dish pairs well with virtually anything, whether you’re hosting a fancy dinner party, bringing a dish to a church potluck or just prepping a weeknight family dinner. You may already have a good recipe for how to make creamy mashed potatoes in your repertoire, but we want to suggest a new way to make mashed potatoes: cream cheese mashed potatoes.
Traditional mashed potato recipes call for heavy cream or milk, but cream cheese imparts the same smooth creaminess—plus it lends a bright, tangy flavor that balances the richness of the spuds.
If you’re just learning how to make creamy mashed potatoes, we have a few secrets for success. First, be careful not to overcook the potatoes, which can make them absorb so much water that they won’t properly soak up the cheese and butter. For the same reason, be sure to drain the cooked potatoes completely before mashing. Finally, use the right type of potato (more on that in a moment). That’s it!
Mashed potatoes are one of the easiest potato recipes to make, so have fun and feel free to play with the recipe and make these spuds your own.
What are the best potatoes for mashing?
Classic russet potatoes are high in starch, so they mash nicely and absorb plenty of butter and cream. You can also use other types of potatoes, such as Yukon Golds, which have a naturally buttery flavor and mash just as well as starchy potatoes. Just avoid waxy types, like red potatoes, which will turn gummy when mashed.
Ingredients for Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Russet potatoes: This creamy mashed potato recipe calls for a lot of russet potatoes—8 pounds! Luckily, this type of potato is often sold in large bags. Look for firm, heavy potatoes and avoid spuds with blemished, bruised or greenish skins.
- Cream cheese: You can use full-, low- or nonfat cream cheese. Allow it to soften before adding it to the potatoes.
- Butter: Butter both flavors and enriches the potatoes. You can use a meltable vegan butter brand if you prefer.
- Salt and pepper: This cream cheese mashed potatoes recipe calls for the simplest seasonings, which allows the classic, comforting flavors of potato and dairy to shine.
- Green onions: A garnish of green onions lends a fancy finish and pleasant brightness. If you don’t enjoy the flavor of onions, feel free to omit them.
Directions
Step 1: Boil the potatoes
Peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes. Place the potatoes in a large stockpot, and add water to cover. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat. Cook, uncovered, until the potatoes are tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes.
Editor’s Tip: You’ll know when the potatoes are finished cooking if they’re tender enough to pierce with a fork.
Step 2: Mix together the seasonings
With a mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup melted butter, the salt and the pepper until smooth.
Step 3: Cream the potatoes
Add the potatoes to the mixer bowl and beat until light and fluffy.
Step 4: Garnish
If desired, top the mashed potatoes with additional melted butter. Sprinkle with green onions.
Recipe Variations
- Scale the recipe down (or up): This creamy mashed potatoes recipe calls for 8 pounds of potatoes—enough to feed a crowd! Feel free to make a smaller or larger batch.
- Change up the dairy: If you want a more classic mashed potato, replace the cream cheese with heavy cream. It is just as rich as cream cheese and makes very creamy mashed potatoes. You can also use half-and-half or milk, but the potatoes won’t be quite as creamy.
- Use sour cream: For creamier, softer mashed potatoes that still have a bit of tang, swap in sour cream for the cream cheese. You can use any type, including low-fat sour cream.
- Make it dairy-free: Swap in a rich dairy-free milk alternative like cashew milk and use vegan butter to create a cozy vegan side dish.
- Add cheese: Gild the lily by adding your favorite cheese. Most types of cheese will work, including shredded cheeses like cheddar, Gruyere, pepper jack or Havarti. Crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese work too.
- Include flavorful mix-ins: Bacon bits, roasted garlic, scallions or caramelized onions are delicious mix-ins for mashed potatoes.
How to Store Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Leftover cream cheese mashed potatoes should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll keep for up to five days. They may dry out a bit over time, but you can rehydrate them by stirring in a dash of milk, sour cream or yogurt. Reheat the mashed potatoes in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop.
Can you make creamy mashed potatoes ahead of time?
Absolutely! This creamy mashed potato recipe is a great make-ahead side dish for a crowd. You can make the spuds earlier in the day and keep them warm in a slow cooker for up to two hours. Or prepare the recipe a day ahead and reheat it in a saucepan on the stovetop. Add a dash of milk, if needed, to ensure a creamy texture.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes Tips
Should you cook whole or cut potatoes for mashed potatoes?
You can cook potatoes whole, halved, quartered or cut into chunks. Smaller pieces will cook much more quickly, so that’s usually what we suggest. It saves time and energy, and it’s easier to mash the smaller-sized potato pieces.
Whole potatoes take at least 30 minutes to boil, while smaller potatoes may cook in as little as 10 minutes. Test them by piercing them with a fork or knife. When the tip slides through easily, they’re done.
What can you serve with creamy mashed potatoes?
A better question might be, what can’t you serve with a creamy mashed potatoes recipe? They taste good with almost anything! Cream cheese mashed potatoes fit in at fancy events and holiday dinners, especially when served alongside our favorite Thanksgiving sides. They’re also welcome at a homey Sunday night supper as a side for meatloaf or a side for fried chicken.
Cream cheese mashed potatoes also make a cozy side dish for vegetarian dinners. Because their flavor is mild, they play well with other vegetable side dishes, like roast mushrooms or asparagus, and they’re rich enough to elevate simple microwaved frozen vegetables.
How can you use leftover mashed potatoes?
There are dozens of ways to use up leftover mashed potatoes! First, you can keep it simple: Reheat them in a covered dish in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop, and serve them plain. Or, get creative and discover how to make creamy mashed potatoes into a new dish, like bacon-cheddar potato croquettes, shepherd’s pie, easy potato rolls or even sweet Swedish doughnuts.
