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These are the BEST mashed potatoes that have become a holiday and family dinner staple – so creamy, buttery and beyond delicious.
All-TIME FAVORITE!
One of our all-time favorite foods in the whole entire world is Mashed Potatoes!
They’ve been a must-have side dish at every holiday for as long as I can remember and today’s recipe is the same one our mom made when she was first married. We’ve made a few tweaks and enhancements since then, but the result is always creamy, delicious, buttery mashed potatoes.
We’ve discovered a few tricks over the year to make sure they are always perfect, so we hope you enjoy them. If you’re as big of mashed potato fans as we are, be sure to also check out our Mashed Potato Casserole and Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Perfect side dish! They’re great with Best Roast Chicken or Roast Turkey and essential on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- So simple to make. This recipe is easy and no-fail. Anyone can do it, and the result is always creamy mashed potatoes.
- Make ahead + easy to reheat. This potato side dish can be made early for busy holidays and enjoyed for days later.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 20 minutes
COOK TIME: 35 minutes
- 5 pounds russet potatoes washed, peeled, and cut into cubes – or Yukon Gold potatoes are the best to use because of their high starch content. They make mashed potatoes more fluffy and smooth, and absorb flavors more easily.
- Avoid Red or white potato varieties since they are waxier and usually take a little more mashing to become creamy.
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup salted butter softened – We prefer salted, but unsalted can be used – you just may need more salt to the recipe. Check out this How to Soften Butter Quickly post as well.
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream – milk or half and half can also be used. Use room-temperature dairy so that it combines more easily.
- 1½ teaspoons garlic salt with parsley flakes – we love the added parsley flakes, but regular salt and garlic salt work well too.
- black pepper to taste
How to Make Best Mashed Potatoes
- POTATOES. Place 5 pounds of cut potatoes into a large pot and add enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring water to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain the water.
- SEASON. Transfer potatoes to a large bowl and add 4 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup butter, ½ cup heavy cream, and 1½ teaspoons garlic salt.
- MASH. Use a potato masher to mash potatoes until desired consistency and combine ingredients until they are the preferred consistency.
- SEASON. Season these best potatoes with more salt (garlic salt with parsley flakes is our favorite) and black pepper, if desired.
PRO TIP: KEEP YOUR POTATOES WARM
- Simply butter your slow cooker and add a few tablespoons of whipping cream. Place potatoes in the slow cooker and set to warm.
- Keep them in the crock pot for up to 4 hours, stirring before serving. Or keep them warm in a casserole dish in the oven.
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Best Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1½ teaspoons garlic salt with parsley flakes
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place cut potatoes into a large pot and add enough water to cover. Bring water to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain the water.
- Transfer potatoes to a large bowl and add cream cheese, butter, cream, and garlic salt.
- Use a potato masher to mash potatoes and combine ingredients until they are the consistency you prefer.
- Season with more salt and pepper, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Make uniform cubes so they cook at an even rate. Cubes around 1½ inches are perfect.
Cold water. Always add the cubed potatoes to cold water, then bring it to a boil. This helps create an even cook.
Mash the potatoes while they’re hot, using a masher or potato ricer, then blend in the remaining ingredients.
Don’t over mix as this will create a gluey texture (avoid an electric mixer, if possible).
Broth. Boil the potatoes in chicken broth. I like to place a chicken bouillon cube into the water
Cheese. Sprinkle with parmesan or cheddar cheese.
Bacon. Mix in cooked crumbled Bacon.
Fresh herbs. Try mixing in chives, parsley, thyme, rosemary, or sage. Remember a little goes a long way.
Add garlic. Crush 5-6 garlic cloves. Heat the heavy cream and garlic in a small saucepan until simmering. Mix the heavy cream with the potatoes as directed. You can even whip up a roasted garlic and butter mixture to stir into the mixture.
Garnish. Sprinkle green onions or chives on top.
GRAVY! Top with Mashed Potato Gravy.
A good rule of thumb is a serving size is ½ pound of potatoes per person. So 5 pounds of potatoes can feed about 10 people.
Potatoes taste the best when freshly made. Peel and cube potatoes beforehand and store them in cold water until ready to boil. Cover and store for a few hours on the stovetop or place them in the fridge overnight.
Store cooked homemade mashed potatoes recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.
As long as your potatoes have plenty of butter and cream, they’re great for freezing. We recommend placing them in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag, and laying them flat (it makes it easier to store and to reheat).
Microwave. The easiest and fastest way to reheat is to place them in a covered dish and heat them in the microwave at half-power for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stovetop. Let potatoes thaw overnight in the fridge, and place in a large pot on low to medium heat. Stir until heated through.
Slow cooker. Thaw potatoes overnight in the fridge and heat on low for 2-4 hours.
Add more cream cheese, whipping cream, or even sour cream to make it more creamy after reheating.
Your best mashed potato recipe is absolutely amazing! I’m not one to switch up tried and true, but this recipe is now my favourite. So creamy and delicious
Love this recipe! It reminds me of my grandmas mashed potatoes. So delicious!
Love this mashed potatoes recipe! I have been making this for every holiday and it’s always a great hit with family and friends.
Amazing!!
Love these mashed potatoes!!
I am an experienced cook. I have been cooking for over 40 years, but in the last couple of years, my mashed potato recipe has been turning out very disappointing. One afternoon I had just been searching for ideas for holiday meals and came across your web page and instantly loved it. I started to try different recipes from your Thanksgiving section. Your mashed potato recipe made both me and my family fall back in love with them. I like the step-by-step directions and pictures. Using the whipping cream was genius.
I love these mashed potatoes. They are so creamy and yummy!!
Until recently I had never added cream cheese to my mashed potatoes and then I see so many TV chefs adding, so I had to try. OMG, this just went to everyday mashed potatoes to the next level. This is my new way to make mashed potatoes!!
Everyone loves mashed potatoes and creamy is where its at. Love this recipe and it is great for everyday and elegant for holidays. Plan to serve anyday.
My family loves mashed potato and im making it every single day.
This is my go-to mashed potato recipe! It’s delicious!
Absolutely love adding cream cheese to mashed potatoes – total game changer! So creamy and decadent, especially for a Holiday meal. Love the idea of adding garlic salt – will definitely try this!
This is the best Mashed Potatoes recipe ever! My family loves it.
These are the best mashed potatoes hands down! Easy to make and they turn out terrific! Everyone loved them!
Definite 5- star recipe! So good, easy and the family raved. I love the part where I could make them in advance and keep them warm in the crockpot! Game changer Luna!
I really love old-fashioned Thanksgiving sides. So mashed potatoes will be my go-to for this year. I have never put cream cheese in my mashed potatoes. But it sounds like it would be delicious. Now, I have to try it.
i use your potatoe receipe all the time, it is delicious, we use alot of potatoes for our meals, and this is the biggest hit. thanks
Can’t wait to make these for Thanksgiving!!!
These mashed potatoes whip up light and fluffy! They are a must with ham, turkey and gravy for the holidays!
The mashed potatoes recipe is the side dish at my house that is a must with turkey and gravy. It mashes up light and fluffy, and is absolutely delicious!
We love mashed potatoes over Thanksgiving! There’s nothing better than mixing everything together along with the delicious gravy!!
I will be making these! Yummy!
It just isn’t Thanksgiving without these mashed potatoes!
We have a family joke after our oldest child asked what kind of potatoes we were having for Thanksgiving…..MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY… it’s not even truly Thanksgiving without them. This is a new recipe, as we normally don’t add cream cheese to ours, but they sound delish!
Adding my rating
These best mashed potatoes are a thanksgiving MUST!! Thank you for sharing!! Have a fantastic thanksgiving & enjoy the good food & family!!
These will be perfect for Thanksgiving. Yum!! With the extra ingredients to make the potatoes moist they can surely be made ahead of time. What a bonus!! My family will love these!!
I am so excited to try this mashed potato recipe for this Thanksgiving season. I will let you know how my family likes it.
So yummy, and perfect for a Thanksgiving side dish. Definitely a must, and wonderful at any time.
I can’t wait to try these mashed potatoes! I love a good mashed potato and making these for Thanksgiving seems like the perfect time! 😋
Best Mashed Potatoes ever. My family loves them.
Thanks so much for including the quantity guide, as well as the make-ahead instructions! I am the mashed potato maker for my extended family this year and I feel a lot more up to the task after reading your great recipe!
I’m a traditionalist. Mashed potatoes! YUM!!
I going to make these mashed potatoes for my side. They look amazing and I love mashed potatoes.
Mashed potatoes are an all time any time favorite in out household. This recipe looks phenomenal!!
Best mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving with gravy!
Our family is very traditional when it comes to our holiday feasts so we’re sticking with the classics. This looks like a simple twist on our favorite Thanksgiving side. I can’t wait to try it this year.
Thank you so much for the tip of mashing the potatoes and then stirring in the ingredients. I’ve never done that and I’m plagued with gluey potatoes no matter what other tips I try. I’m going to try this when I make these classic mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving this year. Thanks again!
Mashed potatoes are my comfort food, and my favorite part of our Thanksgiving dinner! Hi
I will definitely be making this for Thanksgiving. I love good old fashioned mashed potatoes but with the addition of cream cheese? This sounds WONDERFUL!
I really appreciate your serving guide on this post! So very helpful. Happy Thanksgiving.
Have yet to try this mashed potatoes recipe but mashed potatoes are my family’s favorite for Thanksgiving so I’m excited to try this recipe out this year. Can’t wait to see how the cream cheese tastes in this dish.
A great go-to mashed potato recipe. These are creamy and delicious. I liked the tip to keep them warm in the crockpot so I can make them ahead of time.
I love this mashed potatoes dish. The cream cheese makes it so creamy. Delish. I plan to make for Thanksgiving.
The mash potatoes is one of the side dishes that I will fix for Thanksgiving! My family loves the creamy potatoes with gravy on top.
I will definitely be making these for thanksgiving this year! Mashed potatoes are a favorite in my family!
Love mashed potatoes and turkey gravy
These are the best mashed potatoes! The creamy texture will be great for my turkey gravy this Thanksgiving!
Mashed potatoes are the best and especially good when cream and a little cream cheese and butter are added. If there are any leftovers (and that’s a big IF) I make a creamy potato soup with a little chicken boullion added and onion powder and garlic salt plus pepper. Makes me hungry just thinking about it! lol
The creamiest potatoes I’ve ever made. A must have for Thanksgiving….actually anytime!
The best mashed potatoes ever!!!
We are definitely having mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving!
Your recipe is the foundation of our Thanksgiving dinner. Mashed potatoes rule.
Great looking recipe. Love potatoes in any form but for Thanksgiving you gotta have mashed. Because the gravy don’t you know….
I plan on using some of your other yummy looking potato recipes.
Mashed potato’s are the best at Thanksgiving because it’s creamy, delicious with gravy or you can just have a bowl of mash potato’s and gravy in a bowl. Comfort food. Yummy!!
Love the idea of being able to make these ahead. This is my Thanksgiving vote!
Family fav from grandbabies to grandpas! Wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without these.
I have always had mashed potatoes as a side dish on Thanksgiving. It was only until I had kids of my own that I added the secret weapon…cream cheese. I also use heavy cream instead of milk.
Love your simple and delicious recipes can’t wait to try the Thanksgiving classic mashed potatoes with the cream
cheese.
just love mashed potatoes wiht gravy on it or cheese sauce on it so yummy
I will be making these for Thanksgiving! Interesting ingredients and I am sure they will be a crowd pleaser!
Love a good mashed potatoes and looking forward to making these!
oh i think ill try this one lools good andi like to try with the whipping cream and cream cheese better then plane ol tatters and i also will make your sweet potatos a must in .my family always have the two potatoes on the holidays thank you so much for your blog you have the most tasty reciped havea great holiday
Forgot to add the rating for the above.
Love these potatoes. Creamy and delicious!
Love these potatoes. Creamy and delicious!!
As an all American girl I love me some mashed potatoes, especially on Thanksgiving! Since this is my third Thanksgiving in Latvia, inviting Latvian friends to celebrate an American holiday I will be making as many traditional Thanksgiving dishes as my 6 month old’s demanding schedule allows. Needless to say, mashed potatoes will be on the menu!
A meal isn’t a meal without buttery mashed potatoes.
Lil Lunas way is the way I always make mine.
These mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple side dish!! My family can’t have turkey without them.
Thanks for a great recipe.
These ARE the best mashed potatoes! And I will be making these for my Thanksgiving potato dish this year. Thank you for providing the recipe!
Mashed potatoes are a must at our Thanksgiving table. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving for my oldest son without mashed potatoes!
Love mashed potatoes with extra butter. My kids really enjoyed it.
I’ve used this recipe twice and got rave reviews both times! Will definitely be making it for Thanksgiving gatherings this year. You can’t go wrong with classic mashed potatoes!
Buttery and creamy just the way I like my mashed potatoes! I love the little extra special touch of cream cheese to really make the dish for the holidays.
These look delicious! Can’t wait to try them!
I add milk, cream cheese and sour cream. Thanks for the great ideas for new things to cook and changing up my old recipes.
The red enchilada sauce and chocolate sheet cake I make at least a few times a month!
Yummy, smooth mashed potatoes! I love your tips too!
Mashed potatoes are our traditional kind of potatoes for Thanksgiving. So why not keep up our tradition.
YUMMY STUFF! Who doesn’t love Cream Cheese, especially in Mashed Potatoes?
Love this recipe for Mashed Taters.
I have been using a recipe similar to this for years. But, I love the addition of whipping cream. Your recipe is much creamery.
These mashed potatoes will hit the spot on Thanksgiving. Mashed potatoes are a definite must on Thanksgiving. They sound much better than just regular mashed by adding the cream cheese, Will definitely be serving these for Thanksgiving.
Thanks for a great recipe.
This sounds so Lovely can not wait to try it.
We always love mashed potatoes. A family tradition. Can’t go wrong!
These are my go to potatoes for thanksgiving and Christmas. So creamy and easy to make. They are a hit every time!
One of my families favorite go to sides for Thanksgiving. These mashed potatoes are so creamy and delicious.
This is the one I would make for Thanksgiving!
I plan on trying these potatoes this Thanksgiving. I just purchased a potato ricer and look forward to trying it out!
There is usually only 2 of us at dinner, and we cheat with potato flakes. This Thanksgiving we are having the real thing! This recipe is the real deal! I have made it before and we will do it again! Thank you!
The cream cheese and whipping cream make them so delicious
Love the addition of the cream cheese! It makes them so creamy and delicious!
Mashed is best!
I have been using this recipe for about 4 years. I stuck with this recipe because they are my favorite mashed potatoes!
Aw, thank you!! I’m so glad you love the potatoes!
We love these! They are so creamy!
Made these for Thanksgiving and they were a hit! Easy and delicious!
Best mashed potatoes 🥔 recipe ever. Delicious
Thank you!!
Made these mashed potatoes at thanksgiving and they were delicious!!
Made these for Thanksgiving! So easy and makes a very decent size portion!
I made these potatoes for thanksgiving this year and they were a huge hit. 15 lbs of potatoes were gone before I could get seconds! Perfect recipe for creamy delicious potatoes!
Made these for Thanksgiving. I’m not the best cook, haha, so I knew I needed a recipe for some amazing but easy mashed potatoes. These were perfect. Super yummy and easy to make. Love how creamy they were.
I love these mashed potatoes. They are my new favorite recipe for them.
These are the best Mashed potatoes lots of flavor and very creamy and easy to make. And it’s great for leftovers.
Great prep tips!
Our family favorite!! Love these potatoes!!
Oh my goodness just sounds so delicious I will be making this very very soon and posting it thank you so much
You are so welcome! I sure hope you like them!
I printed your thanksgiving planner and noticed there that your mashed potatoes were prepared two days prior and then warmed to serve on Thanksgiving day. Additionally, I saw in your recipe you stated they can be frozen. Do they come out just as nice as fresh mashed? I usually prepare the potatoes on Thanksgiving Day, and after all that peeling and mashing, I am nearly worn out! It would be such a blessing to be able to do it a couple of days ahead. Thank you for the help!!
Yes, they totally do! I know what you mean! I am all for making anything ahead that I can. Just place them in a zip lock bag, flat & then reheat whichever way you prefer. Enjoy!
These creamy mashed potatoes are shockingly good! This is my favorite recipe <3 thanks for sharing
You are welcome!! Glad you like them as much as I do!
I live for these Mashed Potatoes!! My absolute fav!!
These really do look like the best! They seem so creamy!
The Cream Cheese and Whipping Cream took these up about 100 notches! ABSOLUTELY delicious! Adding these to our Thanksgiving menu! Will be making them again before then though!
Everybody loves masHed potatoes. This version is so creamy and you’ll the addition of cream cheese and wHip cream. Yum!
Mashed POTATOES are a Sunday Dinner Staple. I haD never thought to add cream cheese to my mashed POTATOES and I have to say it was delicious ADDITION!
These potatoes look so fluffy!! We always need some kind of potato with our meals & mashed potatoes are our favorite!
I used this recipe for Thanksgiving today. It was delicious. Thank You!
Thank you so much for trying these!! They are my favorite!!
Would a kitchen aid mixer work? Every time ive tried mashed POTATOES they turn out lIke glue. I cant figure out what im doing wrong! Im hopeful in trying your recipe thoUgh!
Oh, man..I hope these work out for you!! I’ve honestly never made them in my kitchen aid, but I don’t see why not? Good luck! I’d love to know what you think!
Anytime I can make mashed potatoes, I’m doing it!! Can’t wait to try this recipe. Looks amazing.
So much yes to these mashed potatoes and simple tips!
YUM!! These make the perfect side dish for holiday dinners!
Those potatoes look delicious! I could make a meal on them!
You totally can!! They are my favorite!! Thanks so much!
Mashed potatoes are the best, and I don’t make them nearly often enough. I’ve never tried freezing them before, thanks for the tip!!