I’ve officially cracked the code on the most creamy mashed potatoes recipe on the planet! You’re welcome. It involves a little thing called Mascarpone cheese (don’t let the name scare you off) which is my key ingredient to get these potatoes extra fluffy and creamy.
What is Mascarpone? Mascarpone is basically a very soft Italian Cream Cheese and the hero ingredient for my favorite mashed potatoes recipe. Lets dive in.
Mashed Potatoes are an essential part of Thanksgiving! They’re right up there with a Herb Roasted Turkey. As “important” as the turkey might be, we really need to really honest with ourselves… it’s all about the potatoes and the gravy. This Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes recipe is a game changer as they are fluffy, laced with cheese and taste like heaven… but imagine them doused with a giant spoonful of the Gravy from the Herb Roasted Turkey!!!! It’s like the most amazing date you’ve ever gone on in your life. Cheese, herbs, potatoes, and more cheese… I mean, what else in life could you possible ask for? Let’s cover the FAQ’s for this mashed potatoes recipe?
There are absolutely some tips and tricks to keep in mind when you’re whipping these up.
Mashed Potato FAQ’s:
How do you make simple mashed potatoes?
Good ingredients to start. Yukon Gold Potatoes and Mascarpone cheese. I also like to mash my potattoes with a potato ricer to get them extra fluffy and creamy. Otherwise if you stick to the recipe I list out below you really can not go wrong.
What is the best potato for mashing?
This mashed potatoes recipe calls for Yukon gold. If I could recommend one thing, its that you make your mashed potatoes with this type of Potato. They are available at every market and they are my favorite potato to use for this recipe because they don’t dry out when boiled and they are a bit creamier which obviously makes for better mashed potatoes.
How long do I boil potatoes?
Depends on how you cut the potatoes? For this mashed potatoes recipe I cut them into large chunks about 1-2 inches and those typically take 15 minutes to boil. You’ll know when they are done when you can easily pierce them with a knife and the knife goes right through. Be careful not to over-boil the potatoes!
Do I need a potato ricer?
You don’t NEED ricer, but it certainly makes it easier and smoother. I have this ricer and honestly it makes the best mashed potatoes and it’s inexpensive! It’s going to make your life easier, it’s going to make your potatoes perfectly smooth and it’s going to give you a slight arm workout which, in my mind, is much appreciated considering the amount of calories I consume at Thanksgiving dinner.
What makes this homemade mashed potatoes recipe so creamy?
For me it’s all about the Mascarpone cheese. It’s my secret to the best mashed potatoes on the planet. If you can’t find mascarpone cheese, cream cheese is a great substitute.
Can I make this mashed potatoes recipe ahead of time?
This mashed potatoes recipe is great to make ahead and hold really well, just skip the chives until you’re ready to serve. I like to make these a day ahead of time if I’m pressed on time, and re-heat them in a crockpot before dinner.
PS – are you thinking of putting this mashed potatoes recipe on your Thanksgiving menu? Check out the full What’s Gaby Cooking menu here along with the master prep schedule to keep things organized and on track!
Check out 4 of my favorite spins on the Traditional Mashed Potatoes:
- Cacio e Pepe – add an additional 1 cup of shredded parmesan cheese and 1-2 tablespoons of freshly cracked black pepper.
- Herby Olive Oil – add 1 cup of chopped parsley and chives and fold in 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil.
- White Cheddar – fold in 1-2 cups of shredded white cheddar
- Bacon and Scallion – add 4 strips of cooked and crumbled bacon and 4-5 thinly sliced scallions.
Looking for another recipe for easy mashed potatoes?
- Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Podcast S1 E10: Food Blogging 101, Mashed Potatoes and Mushrooms!!
- A Complete Guide to Thanksgiving Side Dishes
PS – are you thinking of putting this on your Thanksgiving menu? Check out the full What’s Gaby Cooking menu here along with the master prep schedule to keep things organized and on track!
And if you need more Thanksgiving Ideas check out this roundup of 80+ Thanksgiving Recipes and Ideas
The Best Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk, plus more if needed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons Mascarpone cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- freshly chopped chives
Instructions
- Peel and dice potatoes, making sure all are in about 1 inch cubes.
- Place in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to medium low to maintain a rolling boil. Cook until potatoes are fork tender and you can easily pierce them with a fork when touched.
- Remove the potatoes from the heat and drain off the water. Place the diced potatoes through a ricer and then place back into the warm pot. Alternatively, if you don't have a ricer, mash the potatoes with a masher and place back into the warm pot
- Add the cream, butter, Parmesan, mascarpone and garlic and stir to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper and fold in the chopped chives before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Prop Styling by Stephanie Hanes // Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking
These look amazing! Could I make ahead and then put them in a casserole dish and bake on low to reheat?
yes!
Help! Is heavy cream the same thing as heavy whipping cream?
yes!
Made this today and the flavor is amazing! Mine came out a little dry? Not sure how to describe it. I followed the ingredients and cooking to a t.Used a hand masher instead of a ricer. I may have (no I did) go a little extra with the fresh parm. So maybe not to a t. Do you think that’s why? But really the flavor is so good.
Follow up to my last comment. Face palm, face palm, face palm. I was trying to be savvy on the prep and had all the ingredients to add ready to the boiled potatoes EXCEPT the cream because I wasn’t sure if having them sit together would be bad. What is a way to add it back to make up for this?
you can just stir it in now if you have leftovers until it’s as creamy as you want!
Where can I find mascarpone cheese?
most grocery stores have it!
Can you reheat in oven the day of? If so, what temperature?
you can – i would re-heat in a crock pot with a little extra cream over medium heat
Can you leave the parmesan cheese out of this recipe? Would I need to substitute something for it? I usually make my potatoes a day ahead & this sounds great, just not sure about parmesan!
the parm is DELISH!! you should def add it. But you can omit if you want
Can you make great mashed potatoes liked this Keto without cauliflower
never tried it!
Is there anyway to make this dairy free but still creamy and delicious? My sister is gluten free/dairy free and trying to see if I could make this possible for her – otherwise she has other stuff on the menu that is acceptable.
I would also love to hear your thoughts on this! I was thinking maybe sub almond milk and a diary free (kite hill?) cream cheese?
Can’t wait to try these. My local store only has “gold” potatoes. Not “Yukon Gold”. Ok substitute or do you have another preference. My google research says gold and Yukon Gold aren’t the same! Thank you!
probably the same thing!!
OK, you are amazing!
Just made your mashed potatoes to reheat in my slow cooker tomorrow, sneaked a taste, they are beyond beyond!!!
I told my WSM daughter, Kathleen, that I am switching from the family make ahead to your version.
Love your website!
Thanks Anne! xx
Super creamy and delicious. A perfect everyday mashed potato recipe.
Hi Gaby! Would it be safe to make these tonight (Sunday) to be served on Tuesday? I wouldn’t add the chives until Tuesday and I would reheat in my slow cooker. Just wondering if 2 days in advance is too much?
ack! just seeing this! but yes you can prep ahead
I can’t wait for Thanksgiving!! And leftovers!!
What pans did you use for these?
Sound delish! Any advice for the best way to reheat and keep creamy after prepping the day before?
I owe you a gift basket. You always make me look good. These mashed potatoes were a hit, as well as your stuffing recipe. Thanks so much!!
I made these for thanksgiving and they were so delicious and creamy. I ended up roasting a whole head of garlic and adding that to them. Thank you for this yummy recipe!
This recipe looks amazing! Can you make them ahead of time and reheat?
you can!
Thank you, Gaby – I made these for Christmas and everyone loved them! I used a food mill since I don’t have a potato masher and they came out great.
I am making these 4-5 days a ahead should I freeze them and reheat in the oven in a rectangular foil pan?
I’d reheat in a slow cooker with a little extra liquid
Oh!Yeah,I will be making these Mashed Potatoes,for Thanksgiving Thank you Gaby for that tip, I’ve used cream cheese but not Marcarpone,I have a Ialian store that has that their all the time..Not to long ago, I had a chocolate cream cheese pie that was made with Macarpone cheese it was So delicious..Have a blessed Thanksgiving..I love to cook also..So this is alittle change for the potatoes, But I can say they will be great.
Can I substitute garlic powder for the roasted garlic and if so how much would you suggest?
I’d do about 1 tablespoon
These were so delicious and easy to make. Definitely my go-to mashed potato recipe now!
These are AMAZING! So easy, even without the potato ricer . I was a little shy on the milk and totally forgot the garlic (which is shocking considering I tend to over garlic everything at our dinner table) and they still turned out freaking delicious!! Thank you so much, can’t wait to make these again, WITH the garlic this time!