The Best Mashed Potatoes Recipes

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Generously salt the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Then lower the heat to medium and gently simmer until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 30 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot. Place the pot over low heat and let any residual water steam off, about 2 minutes. Mash the potatoes well with a potato masher. Fold in the butter with a spatula until melted, and then fold in the cream. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Lightly scrub the potatoes. Put them in a large stockpot, fill with cold water to cover by about 2 inches and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a strong simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender in the center, 50 to 55 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes in a colander in the sink. Let cool enough so that you can handle them, about 10 minutes. It is important that the potatoes do not cool too much because they will mash more easily when hot.
• Meanwhile, add the butter to the same pot that you used to cook the potatoes (no need to clean it). Melt completely over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Heat 3/4 cup of the cream in a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl until steaming and set aside.
• Holding the potatoes in a clean kitchen towel, gently peel the skins off with a paring knife. Quarter the potatoes and put them in the pot along with 2 1/2 teaspoons salt. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until smooth and fluffy (see Cook's Note).
• Add the cream and stir until combined. Season with pepper and additional salt if needed. Allow to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 3 months.
• To reheat refrigerated mashed potatoes: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spoon the mashed potatoes into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Drizzle with the remaining 1/2 cup cream. Stir until combined, making sure there are no pools of cream at bottom of the baking dish.
• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and gently stir the mashed potatoes. Cover again and continue to bake until the potatoes are hot and steamy, 20 to 25 minutes more. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• To reheat frozen mashed potatoes: Thaw the potatoes completely in the refrigerator and cook according to the same directions as refrigerated potatoes but do not add cream. The potatoes might seem watery at first but will thicken as they heat up.
• Transfer the hot mashed potatoes to a large bowl for serving.

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes; cook until tender but still firm. Drain and return to stove over low heat to dry for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add butter, Parmesan cheese, chives, cream cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Use a potato masher to mash until smooth, and serve.

Steps:

• For the mashed potatoes: Add the potatoes and 1 tablespoon salt to a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook over medium-high heat until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and set aside to dry.
• Whip together the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with a hand mixer on medium speed until thoroughly blended, about 2 minutes. Add the still-warm potatoes alternating with the half-and-half. Whip until blended. Add in the pepper and garlic and season with salt to taste.
• Grease a 9-by-14-inch glass baking dish with butter and pour the potato mixture into it. Bake right away, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
• When ready to bake and serve, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the topping: Pour the melted butter over the potato mixture and bake until bubbly and slightly golden, about 45 minutes. Garnish with the chives and parsley. The potatoes can be kept warm in a 200-degree oven or tented with foil until ready to serve, up to 2 hours.

Steps:

• Place peeled and cubed potatoes into a medium size saucepan.
• Cover with water,place on stove and cook on medium heat until fork tender, approximately 10 to 15 minutes depending on the size of cubes and type of potato.
• Remove from heat and drain any remaining water.
• Place potatoes into mixing bowl.
• Add butter and start to whip potatoes with mixer set on 7 or 8.
• Add sour cream slowly and whip until smooth and creamy.
• (The amount of sour cream may vary depending on the type of potato used, Yukon gold uses all, some other softer potatoes do not need all of the sour cream.) Pour potatoes into a cassole dish sprayed with cooking spray.
• Top with as much cheese as desired.
• Bake at 350 for approximately 20 minutes or until cheese bubbles and edges start to brown.
• Remove from oven and let sit for five minutes.
• If you are serving a meat that has a gravy, then leave off the cheese but still bake the potatoes until bubbly.