Our Best Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipes

MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

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.

TO DIE FOR MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Boil potatoes until tender.
• Beat softened cream cheese and sour cream in mixing bowl.
• Add hot potatoes and beat until smooth, adding small amounts of milk as needed.
• Add butter, chives, salt, pepper and onion powder and beat until well-mixed.
• Add garlic, green onions, and marjoram and beat until well-mixed.
• Pour into either casserole dish or crockpot.
• Dot with additional butter and sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake for 25 minutes in 350°F oven or cook on low in crockpot for 2-3 hours. If cooked in crockpot, add a few additional drops of butter and stir, just before serving.
• Sprinkle with Bacon Bits or crumpled bacon just before serving.
• NOTE: Can be refrigerated overnight in either casserole dish or crockpot.

MAKE AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until tender, 15-20 minutes. Drain. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add potatoes; beat until light and fluffy. Beat in butter, seasonings and, if desired, chives. Transfer to a greased 2-1/2-qt. microwave-safe dish. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before heating. Microwave, uncovered, on high 10 minutes, stirring once. Stir in milk. Microwave until heated through, about 5 minutes.

MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES RECIPE

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large stockpot and add enough water to cover potatoes.
• Bring water to a boil, cover with lid, and reduce heat to medium and let cook for about 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain the water.
• If preferred, peel the potatoes (I usually just leave the peels on). Put the cooked potatoes in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher.
• Mix in butter, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, and salt until completely combined.
• Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop mashed potatoes into the prepared pan.
• If desired, brush the top of the potatoes with additional melted butter, fresh parsley, and paprika.
• If you are making these mashed potatoes for later, cover the potatoes and refrigerate (these are fine made up to 24 hours in advance).
• When you are ready to bake these mashed potatoes, let the potatoes sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before putting them in the oven.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake uncovered for about 25-30 minutes or until the potatoes are heated all the way through.

MAKE AHEAD MASHED POTATOES (RESTAURANT TRICK)

Steps:

• Peel and cut the potatoes into large chunks.
• Bring a pot of water to the boil, then add the potatoes. Cook for 20 minutes until soft and starting to fall apart.
• Drain then tip back into the pot placed over the stove (turned off). Allow to steam dry for a few minutes.
• Mash to your taste. Do NOT use a hand held mixer, blender or food processor - it will activate the starches in the potatoes and make it gluey.
• To make ahead, transfer to a bowl and cover with cling wrap, pressing onto the potato to remove as much air as possible. Refrigerate up to 2 days until required.
• On the day of, place the cream and butter in a pot and bring to a boil. Turn the stove off but leave the pot on the stove. Add the potatoes and stir into the cream.
• If you want to make your potatoes creamier, push them to the side, add more cream/milk, turn the stove on, bring to a simmer then stir.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve warm, garnished with chopped chives, a drizzle of olive oil and pepper.

CREAMY MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F and adjust an oven rack to the middle position.
• Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack (alternatively, you can place them on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet). Bake until very soft, 50 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. (Err on the side of overcooking rather than undercooking them.)
• Remove the potatoes from the oven. While they are still hot, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Using an oven mitt or a folded kitchen towel to hold the hot potatoes, scoop out all of the flesh from each potato half into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (*see note below on using a potato ricer, food mill or hand-held electric mixer). The flesh near the skin gets a little tough, so be sure to leave it behind. Break the cooked potato flesh down into small pieces using a potato masher, fork, or rubber spatula. Beat on low speed until completely smooth and no lumps remain, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. (Note: it's important to mash the potatoes while they are still hot, otherwise you'll end up with lumps.)
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream and 6 tablespoons of the butter to a simmer.
• Remove the bowl from the mixer stand and, using a large rubber spatula, gradually fold in the hot cream and butter mixture. It will take a few minutes to mix it all in; keep folding until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Stir in the salt, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a large microwave-safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap (the bowl should be large enough that the potatoes don't touch the plastic wrap). Refrigerate for up to 2 days. (DO NOT FREEZE)
• To reheat, use the tip of a knife to poke about 10 holes in the plastic wrap, and microwave at medium-high (75 percent) power until the potatoes are hot, about 14 minutes, stirring halfway through the reheating time. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving dish, top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, and sprinkle with the chives. Serve hot.
• Notes: For perfectly smooth potatoes, pass the potato flesh through a potato ricer or food mill before adding them to the mixer. If you don't have a stand mixer, you can use a hand-held electric mixer. If you don't have an electric mixer, pass the potatoes through a food mill or potato ricer and then whip by hand with a wooden spoon.

CREAMY MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a Dutch oven; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, 10-15 minutes or until tender., Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; drain., Drain potatoes; return to pan. Mash potatoes, gradually adding cream cheese, sour cream and butter. Stir in milk and seasonings. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with cheese, green onions and bacon. Refrigerate, covered, up to 1 day., Preheat oven to 350°. Remove potatoes from refrigerator and let stand while oven heats. Bake, covered, about 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until heated through.

OUR BEST MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in boiling water in saucepan 25 to 30 min. or until tender; drain.
• Mash potatoes in microwaveable bowl; stir in remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until just before serving time.
• Re-heat in microwave on HIGH 5 to 7 min. until heated through, stirring occasionally.

MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel and dice potatoes; boil in salted water until soft but not mushy. Drain well, return to pot, and mash roughly. Continue mashing while adding cream cheese, butter, and sour cream; mix until smooth. Season with salt and pepper; fold in chives. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Reheat about 45 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven or until hot.;

MAKE AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a saucepan; add water to cover and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 25 minutes or until pototoes are tender.
• Drain.
• Peel potatoes; place in a large mixing bowl, and mash with a potato masher.
• Add 2 tablespoons butter, cream cheese, sour cream, milk and 3/4 teaspoon salt.
• Mix until all ingredients are blended.
• Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 12X8X2-inch baking dish.
• Brush top of mixture with melted butter; sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake immediately, or cover and refrigerate.
• If refrigerated, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
• Bake at 350F, uncovered for 30 minutes or until hot.

MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Place potatoes in a large pot of lightly salted water. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, and mash.
• In a large bowl, mix mashed potatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, onion salt, and pepper. Transfer to a large casserole dish.
• Cover, and bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven.

OUR FAVORITE CREAMY MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Cover potatoes, garlic, and 1 Tbsp. salt with cold water in a large pot. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer (do not boil) until potatoes are very tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife but not falling apart, 20-25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat milk, thyme, and 3/4 cup butter in a small pot over medium, stirring, until butter is melted. Remove from heat; set aside.
• Drain potatoes and garlic; return to pot. Toss over low heat until moisture evaporates, 1-2 minutes. Using potato ricer or food mill, immediately press potatoes and garlic into a large bowl (do not let cool).
• Discard thyme from milk mixture and gradually stir into potatoes, reserving about 1/2 cup if you plan to make in advance (see Do Ahead). Season with 2 tsp. salt and 3/4 tsp. pepper. Fold in sour cream and stir with a spoon until incorporated and very smooth (do not overmix or potatoes will become gummy). Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve topped with remaining 2 Tbsp. butter and more pepper.
• Do Ahead
• Mashed potatoes can be made 2 hours ahead; cover and store at room temperature. Or chill, covered, up to 8 hours; reheat over medium with reserved 1/2 cup milk mixture.