These Buttery smooth mashed potatoes are our Go-To potato side dish recipe for every dinner and holiday get together. They’re everyone’s favorite potatoes!
Mashed potatoes ALWAYS make an appearance at Sunday dinners and holiday meals. They’re usually accompanied by more favorite side dishes, like glazed carrots, green bean bundles, and of course homemade rolls!
favorite homemade mashed potatoes
There are few things in life that are better than a side of creamy mashed potatoes (name a better side dish – I dare you!)
Mashed potatoes are an iconic food in my life. I have so many great memories of sitting around the table with my family eating and enjoying mashed potatoes together.
Today’s recipe is our classic homemade mashed potatoes, but we also love our Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole, and Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes.
All you need to make these potatoes is a good masher, lots of butter/salt/pepper, and hot cooked potatoes. Then you already halfway there.
How to Make Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes, in general, are our favorite!! And making this recipe is easier then you think. You’re going to need 5 pounds of potatoes for this recipe which feeds about 10 people!
PREP POTATOES. Make sure to wash, peel, and cut your potatoes into chunks before starting.
Best kind of Potatoes for mashed potatoes?
You want to use potatoes with higher starches, like Russet or Yukon Golds. They make for the fluffiest and smoothest mashed potatoes and absorb flavoring more easily than other varieties.
Red or white potato varieties are more waxy and usually take a little more work and mashing to become creamy.
BOIL. Place the cut potatoes into a large pot. Add enough water to the pot to cover the potatoes. Bring the water to a boil, then let the water simmer until the potatoes are fork tender (about 20-25 minutes). Stick them with a fork to see if they are ready.
ADD INGREDIENTS. Drain the water form the pot. Add the cream cheese, butter, cream, and salt. If the cream cheese scares you, I promise you cannot even taste the cream cheese in this recipe. It just adds to the flavor and creaminess.
BLEND. Use a hand mixer to blend all of the ingredients together. Keep mixing until it’s as smooth as you want it. (I prefer smooth with no lumps!) Add any more salt and pepper and you’ll easy fall in love with this creamy mashed potatoes recipe.
SERVE. Add a few more butter slices on top before serving because a little more butter is always a good idea. Enjoy every last bite!
How to serve + Store mashed potatoes
How many potatoes should I prepare per person? You should plan on about ½ pound for each guest, so a 5 pound bag should feed 10 people.
- QUICK SERVING GUIDE
- 10 people – 5 pounds
- 20 people – 10 pounds
- 25 people – 12.5 pounds
- 40 people – 20 pounds
- 100 people – 50 pounds
To keep your potatoes warm while you serve them, here’s an easy trick: Butter your slow cooker and add a few tablespoons whipping cream to it. Keep slow cooker on LOW and transfer your potatoes to it – keep in there for up to 4 hours, stirring before serving.
LEftover mashed potatoes;
Stored properly in the fridge, these be stored in the fridge for 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).
How to reheat mashed potatoes:
- 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 occasionally until heated through.
- SLOW COOKER – Thaw potatoes overnight in the fridge and heat on low for 2-4 hours.
For all of these, add butter or dairy (sour cream or cream cheese) and additional seasonings, if needed when done.
Kids and adults alike will go crazy over these easy and yummy homemade mashed potatoes. We’ve enjoyed this recipe since I was little and hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
For more mashed potato recipes, check out:
- Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
- Mashed Potato Casserole
- Garlic Red Mashed Potatoes
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
For more potato side dishes, check out:
MORE COLLECTIONS: Side Dishes, Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 lbs potatoes washed, peeled, and cut into chunks
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Place cut potatoes into a large pot. Add water to pot, covering potatoes. Let water come to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until potatoes are tender (about 20-25 minutes).
- Drain water, add cream cheese, butter, cream, and salt. Using a hand mixer, mix all ingredients together until you reach your desired consistency. Season with any more salt and pepper.
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!!
Those potatoes look delicious! I could make a meal on them!
You totally can!! They are my favorite!! Thanks so much!
YUM!! These make the perfect side dish for holiday dinners!
So much yes to these mashed potatoes and simple tips!
Anytime I can make mashed potatoes, I’m doing it!! Can’t wait to try this recipe. Looks amazing.
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!
I used this recipe for Thanksgiving today. It was delicious. Thank You!
Thank you so much for trying these!! They are my favorite!!
These potatoes look so fluffy!! We always need some kind of potato with our meals & mashed potatoes are our favorite!
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!
Everybody loves masHed potatoes. This version is so creamy and you’ll the addition of cream cheese and wHip cream. Yum!
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!
These really do look like the best! They seem so creamy!
I live for these Mashed Potatoes!! My absolute fav!!
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 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!
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!
Our family favorite!! Love these potatoes!!
Great prep tips!
These are the best Mashed potatoes lots of flavor and very creamy and easy to make. And it’s great for leftovers.
I love these mashed potatoes. They are my new favorite recipe for them.
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.