recipes

The best Mashed Potatoes

Name: The Best Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced (you can leave the peel on- personal preference) (2-2.5 lbs or 5 cups diced); Salt and pepper (to taste); 1/4 tsp garlic powder (to taste); 1/2 cup warm milk; 4 oz cream cheese (softened); 1/4 cup butter (add extra if you desire); crispy fried onions for topping

November 14, 2023

Creamy Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, seasoned to perfection and topped with crispy fried onions, are sure to become a festive favorite.

Creator: Leslie Stokes

Ingredients:

4 large Yukon Gold potatoes
Salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup warm milk
4 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup butter
Crispy fried onions

About how many cups of poatoes do I need?

For a recipe like this, you would generally need about 2 to 2.5 pounds of potatoes, which is roughly equivalent to 4 to 5 cups of peeled and diced Yukon Gold potatoes. This quantity should yield enough mashed potatoes to serve about 6 to 8 people, depending on portion sizes. Adjust the amounts based on the number of guests you’ll be serving and your preferences for leftovers.

What makes these poatoes so good?

This is a recipe I have cooked for over 10 years and I have to say, it’s a few simple things that make these potatoes so good, but the cream cheese is definetly the secret ingredient.

Start with Yukon Gold Potatoes- The choice of Yukon Gold potatoes adds a rich and buttery flavor to your mashed potatoes. Their creamy texture makes for a velvety-smooth dish that will complement your holiday feast.
Season to Perfection- Enhance the flavor profile with a touch of salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic powder. These seasonings will add depth to your mashed potatoes without overpowering the other festive flavors on your table.
Creamy Magic- Create a luscious texture by combining warm milk, softened cream cheese, and butter. This trio of ingredients introduces a luxurious creaminess that will have your guests reaching for seconds.
The Finishing Touch – Crispy Fried Onions Elevate your mashed potatoes by adding a delightful crunch. Crispy fried onions on top not only provide a textural contrast but also infuse a savory, aromatic note that perfectly complements the creaminess beneath
Baking for a Golden Finish- Take your mashed potatoes to the next level by baking them in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. This step not only warms the dish but also results in a golden-brown crust on top, enhancing both the presentation and flavor.

A few tips to get the perfect mashed poato-

Potato Selection: Choose Yukon Gold potatoes for their creamy texture and buttery flavor. This variety works exceptionally well for mashed potatoes.

Uniform Potato Size: Cut the potatoes into uniform sizes before boiling. This ensures even cooking, preventing some pieces from becoming too soft while others remain undercooked.

Seasoning Adjustment: Taste your mashed potatoes after adding salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Adjust the seasonings according to your preference. Remember, it’s easier to add more seasoning than to fix overly seasoned potatoes.

Creamy Consistency: While mashing or mixing, aim for a smooth and creamy consistency. If using a hand mixer, be cautious not to overmix, as this can result in gluey mashed potatoes.

Warm Milk Mixture: Warm the milk, cream cheese, and butter before adding them to the potatoes. This helps in achieving a consistent and smooth texture, preventing any lumps.

Crispy Fried Onions Timing: Add the crispy fried onions just before baking to maintain their crunch. This ensures they don’t become overly soft during the baking process.

Baking Temperature and Time: Preheat your oven to 400°F for a golden-brown finish. Keep an eye on the mashed potatoes while baking to prevent excessive browning. Adjust the baking time as needed based on your oven’s performance.

Serve Immediately: Mashed potatoes are best when served immediately after baking. The crispy topping and creamy interior are at their prime right out of the oven.

Customization: Feel free to customize the recipe by adding fresh herbs like chives or parsley for a burst of freshness. You can also experiment with different cheese varieties in place of cream cheese for a unique twist.

Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the mashed potatoes up to the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate. Bake just before serving to maintain the optimal texture and flavo

Making the potatoes ahead of time

Preparing these mashed potatoes ahead of time is a great time-saving strategy for Thanksgiving. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do the day before:

1. Complete the Mashing Process:

• Follow the recipe up to the point just before baking.

• Once you’ve combined the warm milk, cream cheese, and butter, and mashed the potatoes to the desired consistency, stop before adding the crispy fried onions or baking.

2. Cool and Store:

• Allow the mashed potatoes to cool slightly at room temperature.

• Once cooled, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight lid.

3. Refrigerate:

• Place the dish in the refrigerator overnight. This step allows the flavors to meld and intensify.

4. Baking on Thanksgiving Day:

• On Thanksgiving Day, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

• Take the mashed potatoes out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.

5. Add Crispy Fried Onions:

• Just before baking, top the mashed potatoes with crispy fried onions, cover with tin foil.

6. Bake:

• Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are heated through. Remove the tin foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes.

7. Serve:

• Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, and then serve your delicious mashed potatoes.

This method allows you to do the bulk of the work the day before, freeing up valuable time on Thanksgiving Day. Just remember to adjust the baking time if the potatoes are coming straight from the refrigerator.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal!