Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Make ahead mashed potatoes offers that rich traditional creamy taste of the holidays, along with the gift of extra time... Just when you need it most!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword How Do I Make Mashed Potatoes, How To Make Mashed Potatoes, Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1 10

Total Time 1 30

Servings servings

Calories 370kcal

Author Kathleen

Ingredients

5 pounds potatoes, Russets or Yukon gold
4 cloves fresh garlic, peel and whole
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped

Topping:

1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Peel potatoes then cut into 1-inch cubes.
In a large pot, cover the potatoes (5 pounds) with 1-inch of water. Add the whole garlic cloves (4) to the potatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes.
Drain potatoes and garlic in a colander. Allow to sit in colander until all water is drained off and evaporated.
Add cream cheese (1 package) and the next 6 ingredients; using a hand-held electric mixer, beat at medium speed, until smooth and fluffy (do not over-beat).
Spoon potatoes into the prepared baking dish.
Bake, covered, at 325°F (163ºC) for 50 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Topping:

Pour 1/4 cup melted butter over the top of the potatoes and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of fresh chives. Serve.

Notes

Cream Cheese: Not a fan of cream cheese? Sorry guys but the cream cheese is an integral ingredient to the finished texture. It, of course, adds that yummy flavor but it also keeps the potatoes creamy when they’re reheated. Bottom line, this won’t work as a make ahead mashed potatoes without cream cheese casserole rec ipe!
Sour Cream: The make ahead mashed potatoes pioneer woman makes is one of the few that excludes sour cream. I love sour cream in these potatoes. It adds lots of richness and creaminess.
Cheese: Cheeses can be a wonderful addition to this classic dish. The make ahead mashed potatoes ina garten penned uses both herbed/ goat cheese, and parmesan, wonderful additions if you ask me. I didn’t add them to our recipe because I wanted to give you a more traditional mashed potato. One that goes best with a big scoop of gravy! If you’re making these for other types of meals, and I really hope you do, you can stir in 1-2 cups shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese to shake things up a bit.
Half and Half: Again, I just miss its qualities when it’s omitted. Lower fat options just don’t hold up to the richness half and half brings to this recipe.

Nutrition