Quick & Fluffy Homemade Mashed Potatoes Recipe For All

Steaming, creamy homemade mashed potatoes promise pure comfort on your plate.

These silky spuds blend perfectly with butter and herbs for an irresistible side dish.

Every forkful delivers rich, velvety goodness that melts in your mouth.

Simple ingredients come together in minutes, creating a classic favorite everyone adores.

The secret lies in selecting the right potatoes and mastering the perfect texture.

Fluffy, whipped clouds of potato goodness await you at the end of this delightful culinary journey.

Grab your potato masher and get ready to create a crowd-pleasing masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.

How to Plate and Serve Your Mashed Potatoes

• Pair Creatively with Protein
• Serve these luxurious mashed potatoes alongside roasted chicken, grilled steak, or baked salmon for a hearty and satisfying meal that combines rich textures and flavors.
• Create Comforting Side Dish Combinations
• Complement the potatoes with steamed green beans, roasted carrots, or sautéed asparagus to add color, nutrition, and a fresh contrast to the creamy potato base.
• Transform into Gourmet Leftover Meal
• Repurpose extra mashed potatoes by turning them into crispy potato cakes, stuffing them into shepherd's pie, or using as a topping for savory casseroles to extend the deliciousness of your original dish.
• Elevate with Garnish Options
• Sprinkle chopped chives, crispy bacon bits, grated cheese, or a dollop of extra sour cream on top to add visual appeal and provide exciting layers of flavor and texture to your mashed potatoes.

Keeping Mashed Potatoes Fresh for Later

• Maximize Freshness: Store leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container, refrigerating within two hours of cooking to maintain quality and prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheat Wisely: Warm slowly in microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore creamy texture, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
• Freeze Smart: Pack cooled potatoes in freezer-safe containers, leaving slight headspace. They'll keep well for up to 2 months, perfect for quick future meals.
• Quick Remix Ideas: Transform leftover mashed potatoes into crispy potato pancakes, shepherd's pie topping, or creamy potato soup base for delicious second-life dishes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes Into Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes

• Half & Half: Silky liquid that adds luxurious richness and smooth texture to the potatoes.
• Sour Cream: Tangy ingredient that introduces depth and subtle complexity to the creamy blend.
• Butter: Golden fat that melts into potatoes, creating an indulgent, velvety mouthfeel.

• Potatoes: Starchy comfort food that transforms into a dreamy, cloud-like side dish; choose waxy or all-purpose varieties like Yukon Gold for best results.

• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that awakens the potato's natural earthiness.
• Black Pepper: Warm, slightly spicy condiment that provides a gentle kick and aromatic dimension.

Essential Tools for Preparing Mashed Potatoes

• Large pot: Essential for boiling and cooking potatoes evenly.
• Potato masher or ricer: Perfect for creating smooth, creamy mashed potatoes without lumps.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing half & half and sour cream.
• Cutting board: Needed for slicing potatoes safely.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for peeling and cutting potatoes into consistent slices.
• Colander: Helps drain potatoes after boiling.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for stirring and mixing ingredients.

How to Mash Potatoes Smoothly and Simply

• Potato Preparation

Select fresh, hearty potatoes with smooth skin. Wash thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.

• Cutting Technique

Slice potatoes into uniform chunks, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.

• Boiling Process

Place potato pieces in a spacious pot with cold water. Sprinkle salt generously. Heat gradually until water bubbles softly, creating a gentle cooking environment.

• Cooking Duration

Allow potatoes to simmer until they become incredibly tender. Test by piercing with a fork – they should yield effortlessly.

• Drainage and Resting

Carefully pour out water. Let potatoes rest momentarily, allowing excess moisture to evaporate naturally.

• Creamy Transformation

Add softened butter, creating a rich base. Pour dairy mixture slowly, mashing until potatoes reach a smooth, luxurious consistency.

• Flavor Enhancement

Season with black pepper. Taste and adjust flavors, ensuring a delightful balance of creaminess and seasoning.

• Serving

Transfer to a warm serving dish, presenting a cloud-like potato experience that promises comfort and satisfaction.

Mashed Potato Variations & Tips You Can Try

• Roast garlic cloves and mash them into the potatoes for a rich, complex taste that transforms the classic recipe.
• Use a potato ricer instead of a masher for ultra-smooth, luxurious mashed potatoes without any lumps.
• Fold fresh chopped herbs like chives, rosemary, or thyme into the finished potatoes to add bright, fresh aromatics.
• Stir in grated sharp cheddar, parmesan, or crumbled blue cheese for an indulgent, tangy variation that elevates the dish.

Velvety Mashed Potatoes Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy homemade mashed potatoes blend rustic comfort with silky elegance. Simple ingredients and classic techniques create a side dish people crave beside roasted meats or holiday platters.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) yukon gold potatoes, about 4 large potatoes
• 1 cup (240 ml) half & half
• 6 tbsps (90 grams) salted butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 3.5 tsps (17.5 grams) salt, plus more to taste
• ½ tsp (2.5 grams) black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Bring half & half and sour cream to room temperature in a mixing bowl.
2. Potato Processing: Peel russet potatoes, rinse thoroughly, and cut into uniform 3/4-inch chunks to guarantee even cooking.
3. Boiling Stage: Place potato pieces in a large stockpot, cover with cold water, add kosher salt, and heat until gently bubbling.
4. Cooking Process: Simmer potatoes for 25 minutes, testing with a fork for tender consistency, then drain completely in a colander.
5. Resting and Butter Integration: Return potatoes to warm pot, allow moisture to evaporate for 5 minutes, then add unsalted butter and let it melt seamlessly.
6. Creaming and Seasoning: Pour dairy mixture over potatoes, sprinkle freshly ground black pepper, and mash vigorously with a potato masher until achieving a smooth, creamy texture.
7. Final Touches: Adjust seasoning and creaminess by incorporating additional dairy mixture if needed, then transfer to a serving dish and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• Temperature Matters: Let dairy ingredients sit at room temperature to blend smoothly and create a creamy texture without lumps.
• Uniform Cutting: Slice potatoes into consistent 3/4-inch chunks to guarantee even cooking and prevent some pieces from turning mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Moisture Management: Allow drained potatoes to rest 5 minutes to evaporate excess water, ensuring a lighter, fluffier final texture.
• Seasoning Strategy: Taste and adjust seasoning gradually, adding dairy mixture incrementally to control creaminess and prevent over-saturating the potatoes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg