Description
Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes are a creamy and comforting side dish perfect for any meal. Made with tender Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, rich cream cheese, butter, and milk, these mashed potatoes have a smooth and velvety texture enhanced by subtle seasonings. Garnished with fresh chives, this recipe offers a delicious twist on traditional mashed potatoes, providing a luxurious taste and creamy mouthfeel that pairs well with a variety of main dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Dairy and Seasonings
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 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
- Boil 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 to cook the potatoes evenly.
- Simmer until Tender: Once boiling, reduce the heat to let the potatoes simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. Check tenderness by piercing them with a fork; they should be soft and easy to mash.
- 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, ensuring a fluffier mash.
- Add Cream Cheese and Seasonings: To the warm potatoes, add softened cream cheese, butter, milk or heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder if using. These ingredients add flavor and richness.
- Mash the Potatoes: Using a potato masher or hand mixer, mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk gradually to achieve your desired consistency.
- Season to Taste: Taste the mashed potatoes and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed to suit your preference.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving dish and garnish with chopped fresh chives or a pat of butter for an extra touch of flavor and presentation. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Using Yukon Gold potatoes results in naturally creamy mashed potatoes due to their buttery texture, but Russet potatoes work well too.
- For a richer flavor, heavy cream can be used instead of whole milk.
- Make sure to soften the cream cheese and butter before mixing to ensure smooth incorporation.
- Adjust the amount of milk or cream gradually to avoid overly runny mashed potatoes.
- Optional garlic powder adds a subtle depth of flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Fresh chives or extra butter on top enhance flavor and presentation, making it great for special occasions.
