This is my mom’s PERFECT mashed potatoes with red potatoes recipe. It is the BEST side dish you’ll ever meet and it goes great with any meal, any time of the year.
Why This Recipe Works
I talk all the time about how my mom is such an amazing cook. She is not an extravagant cook by any means and has always used approachable methods and ingredients to make her recipes.
Somehow her food contains magic, though, and it’s the reason I believe in mom magic. She and I can make the same recipe with the same ingredients and hers will always taste better.
She made these mashed potatoes a lot growing up and still does today. This recipe has the perfect amount of butter, creaminess and flavor. My mom taught me that red potatoes are always best for a super rich, creamy end result. I like them so much, I also enjoy preparing this instant pot red potatoes side dish too then serve them with lemon and garlic!
One of her trademarks is to leave the skins on, but feel free to remove them if that is more your style.
50+ Make-Ahead Recipes For Your Holiday Table
Do you feel overwhelmed just thinking about planning a holiday menu? Then you anticipate the exhaustion that comes after the meal has been eaten?
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Recipe Ingredients
Red potatoes – Replace with Russet potatoes if desired, but the flavor will be less buttery.
Garlic – Use fresh garlic!
Butter – Salted butter will help flavor pull out of the combined ingredients.
Cream cheese – Creaminess will be taken up a notch with butter and this cheese.
How To Make Mashed Potatoes with Red Potatoes
Step 1
Cut potatoes (6 medium red or 10 baby red) into chunks and quarter 4 cloves garlic. Place into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Step 2
Reduce heat to medium and cover and cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, or until fork tender. Drain.
Pour the potatoes and garlic into a large mixing bowl. Add the following:
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Warm milk
Mash with a potato masher. Serve warm with extra butter, salt and pepper!
Recipe Notes
- Leaving the skins on adds a unique and delicious flavor and texture, but feel free to peel the potatoes first for a creamier end result.
- Especially with soft potatoes like red and yukon gold, be careful not to over mash or the texture can become gluey. (No blenders or electric mixers!)
- Add up to 1/4 cup sour cream for an even creamier texture and flavor.
What To Do With Leftover Mashed Potatoes
- Freeze them! (See note above for freezing instructions.)
- Use them to make your next Shepherd’s Pie.
- Serve pot roast over top of them.
- Throw them into a Thanksgiving Stromboli along with the rest of your leftovers!
What To Add To Perfect Mashed Potatoes
My favorite ingredients to mash with potatoes are butter and garlic. Here are a few other delicious options:
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt and/or milk
- Salt and Pepper
- Cream Cheese
- Chopped chives
- Cayenne pepper
- Paprika
- Shredded cheddar or Feta crumbles
Mac and Cheese Recipes for Thanksgiving – 13 Delicious Ideas!
Mac and cheese is a Thanksgiving staple! Read on for some scrumptious mac and cheese recipes for Thanksgiving that you can make this year! You’ll find a ton of options to choose from in this roundup.
FAQ About Potatoes
Potatoes, eaten in moderation, are good for you. They contain fiber which can help you feel fuller longer. They also help keep cholesterol and blood sugar levels in check.
Minus the butter and any other toppings that might get incorporated into your creamy side dish, 1 cup of plain mashed potatoes contains approximately 35 grams of carbohydrates.
Minus the added ingredients, regular mashed potatoes are completely safe for dogs to consume unless your dog has diabetes.
Stir in butter and/or sour cream before freezing in order to retain as much of that fluffy texture as possible. Allow the mashed potatoes to completely cool before freezing. Place in a shallow container in an even layer and wrap tightly with foil. Place into a resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to enjoy, allow the potatoes to thaw in the fridge overnight. Place in a saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, adding a small amount of milk and/or sour cream to add moisture. Heat until warmed through.
Delicious Thanksgiving Sides
- This is the BEST Homemade Cranberry Sauce! It is super easy to make and way surpasses the canned version in flavor. Delicious side dish for your Thanksgiving or holiday table!
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are creamy, smooth, delicious and easy to prepare. No boiling or saucepan/stovetop cleaning required with this side dish.
- Classic Sweet Potato Casserole is great on your Thanksgiving table and also a perfect side dish that can be enjoyed any time of the year.
- This is the Best Green Bean Casserole for your table! It is a traditional holiday staple, but also great any time of the year as a delicious side dish.
- Instant Pot Stuffing comes together quickly and easily. This traditional side dish is savory and packed with flavor and texture.
- Tater Tot Hotdish is the perfect comfort food. Whether it’s the main dish or a side, everyone at the table will be satisfied. Great for your Thanksgiving table!
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Mashed Potatoes with Red Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 medium red potatoes or 10 baby reds, cubed
- 4 cloves garlic quartered
- 1/2 cup butter
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Place potatoes and garlic into a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until fork tender. Drain.
- Pour the potatoes and garlic into a large mixing bowl. Add butter, cream cheese, salt, pepper and milk. Mash with a potato masher. Serve warm with extra butter.
Notes
- Leaving the skins on adds a unique and delicious flavor and texture, but feel free to peel the potatoes first for a creamier end result.
- Especially with soft potatoes like red and yukon gold, be careful not to over mash or the texture can become gluey. (No blenders or electric mixers!)
- Replace with Russet potatoes if desired, but the flavor will be less buttery.
- Add up to 1/4 cup sour cream for an even creamier texture and flavor.
Heavy cream!