Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Make holidays and even weeknight dinners easy on yourself with these make-ahead mashed potatoes. You can make them up to 2 days in advance.

Potatoes are my favorite vegetable. They are on every holiday table from Easter to Thanksgiving and Christmas plus many meals in between.

If you’ve never made mashed potatoes before they are relatively easy. The difficult part is to not add too much milk or cream.

For as long as I can remember my Mom used a ricer to make mashed potatoes. In fact, it was my grandmother’s ricer and now my brother has it.

A ricer truly makes the fluffiest potatoes. Using a handheld masher or mixer compresses the potatoes. I’ll never forget the day I heard Martha Stewart say the only way to make decent mashed potatoes was by using a ricer.

Something I knew all along. Even my husband, who had never even heard of a ricer before we got married, now believes it’s the best way to mash.

Tips for Making Mashed Potatoes:

• Cut the potatoes into even-sized cubes so they cook evenly.
• For the smoothest mashed potatoes, use a potato ricer. You can achieve this with a traditional masher but it’s more work.
• Always start potatoes in cold water. Put cubed potatoes in a pot and cover with an inch of cold water. Don’t drop them into boiling water because you will cook the outsides of the potatoes faster than the inside, leaving them unevenly cooked.
• Taste for proper seasoning. Don’t be afraid to add salt. 
• Do not use your stand mixer. Over whipping the potatoes will develop the gluten and make them gluey. Many people will tell you otherwise but you must babysit them. Can using a mixer make good mashed potatoes? Yes but be very careful. Don’t walk away and watch them like a hawk.

There truly is a potato recipe for everyone and every occasion. If mashed potatoes aren’t your thing try these easy herbed hasselback potatoes or twice-baked potatoes, which, OK are KIND of like mashed. This recipe, along with the twice-baked potatoes have been adapted from The Pioneer Woman.

Continue to Content

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Yield: 10 servings

Get a head start on a weeknight dinner or holiday meal with these creamy and delicious make-ahead mashed potatoes.

Print

Ingredients

• 5 pounds russet potatoes
• 1 cup butter, plus more for the top of potatoes
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup to ¾ cups half-and-half
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Peel and cut the potatoes into about 3-inch cubes so they are all about the same size. Add potatoes to a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 to 40 minutes until a sharp knife easily glides into the cubes.
2. Drain the potatoes in a large colander. Dry the pot before mashing the potatoes. If you use a ricer, rice potatoes into Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape, before adding in all the other ingredients.
3. Turn off the stove and add 1 ½ sticks of butter, the cream cheese, and ½ cup of half-and-half. If potatoes are still thick, gradually add more ½ and ½. Stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Stir well and place in a medium-sized baking dish. Throw a few pats of butter over the top of the potatoes. Just prior to serving, place them in a 350-degree oven and heat until butter is melted and potatoes are warmed through.

Notes

When making this dish a day or two in advance, take it out of the fridge about 2 to 3 hours before serving time. Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 20 to 30 minutes or until warmed through.

Recipe adapted from The Pioneer Woman

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Potato Ricer
• 
  OXO Stainless Steel Good Grips Potato Masher with Cushioned Handle, Single

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to hear about it! Please leave a comment below!

Friday Holiday Side Dish Recipes:

• Air Fried Green Beans with Crispy Onions by West Via Midwest
• Apple and Kohlrabi Slaw by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon by Lemon Blossoms
• Buttery Pearl Barley Mushroom Pilaf by Food Lust People Love
• Cheesy Asparagus Bake by The Fresh Cooky
• Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts by Shockingly Delicious
• Cranberry Pecan Cornbread Mini Bites by The Freshman Cook
• Creamed Corn by Savory Experiments
• Creamy Cheesy Brussel Sprouts with Bacon by Blogghetti
• Farro Salad with Apples, Arugula & Feta by Sweet Beginnings
• Lemon and Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts by Palatable Pastime
• Loaded Cauliflower Casserole by Cheese Curd in Paradise
• Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes by Family Around the Table
• Persimmon Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette by The Foodie Affair
• Rice Pilaf with Dried Cranberries and Almonds by An Affair from the Heart
• Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Roasted Carrots with Goat Cheese and Pecans by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples by Devour Dinner
• Sausage Stuffing by House of Nash Eats
• Wild Rice and Broccoli Casserole by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Wild Rice and Sprouts Pilaf by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures