Description
These creamy and luscious Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes combine the rich flavors of cream cheese, butter, and milk for a velvety texture. Perfect as a comforting side dish, they are easy to make and can be garnished with fresh chives to add a pop of color and mild onion flavor. Ideal for cozy family dinners or holiday meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Dairy & Fats
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Place the peeled and cubed potatoes into a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add a pinch of salt to the water, then bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook Potatoes: Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until they are fork-tender, meaning a fork can easily pierce through them.
- Drain and Dry: Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot. Let them sit for 1-2 minutes to allow any excess moisture to evaporate, which helps maintain a creamy texture.
- Add Ingredients: Add the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, whole milk (or heavy cream), salt, black pepper, and optional garlic powder to the potatoes in the pot.
- Mash Potatoes: Using a potato masher or hand mixer, mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy. If the consistency is too thick, gradually add more milk until the desired creaminess is achieved.
- Season to Taste: Taste the mashed potatoes and adjust the salt, pepper, or garlic powder as needed to suit your preference.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving dish and garnish with chopped fresh chives, additional butter, or a sprinkle of black pepper. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Using Yukon Gold potatoes yields a creamier texture, while Russet potatoes provide a fluffier mash.
- Softening the cream cheese and butter before adding helps them incorporate more easily.
- Adjust milk quantity to your preferred mashed potato texture.
- Optionally add garlic powder for a subtle garlic flavor or omit for plain mashed potatoes.
- Fresh chives add a mild onion taste and a lovely green garnish.
- For richer mashed potatoes, substitute whole milk with heavy cream.
