Description
Creamy garlic cream cheese mashed potatoes bring comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Rich, velvety potato perfection combines classic flavors with luxurious texture, offering pure satisfaction you can’t resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Dairy:
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup milk or heavy cream
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped fresh parsley or chives
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot and fill it with cold water, adding a pinch of salt. Gently drop cubed potatoes and whole garlic cloves into the water, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Position the pot over medium-high heat, allowing the water to reach a rolling boil. Reduce the temperature and let the potatoes simmer gently until they yield easily when pierced with a fork, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Carefully drain the potatoes and garlic in a colander, shaking off excess moisture. Transfer the cooked ingredients back to the warm pot or a spacious mixing bowl.
- Crush the potatoes and roasted garlic together using a potato masher or electric mixer, creating a smooth and fluffy texture. Work methodically to break down any remaining chunks.
- Introduce cream cheese, butter, and milk to the potato mixture. Blend thoroughly, ensuring all ingredients integrate seamlessly. Adjust the milk quantity to achieve a creamy, spreadable consistency.
- Season the mashed potatoes with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste carefully and fine-tune the seasoning to balance the flavors.
- Elegantly transfer the creamy potato mixture to a serving dish. Optional: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives on top for a vibrant garnish and enhanced presentation.
Notes
- Ensure potatoes are cut into even-sized cubes for uniform cooking and consistent texture.
- Start with cold water when boiling potatoes to help them cook evenly and prevent uneven softness.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for smoother blending and easier incorporation into the mashed potatoes.
- Avoid overworking the potatoes to prevent a gluey or gummy texture; mash just until ingredients are combined.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt or low-fat cream cheese to reduce overall calories.
- Create a dairy-free alternative by using plant-based butter and coconut milk or almond milk.
- Elevate the dish by roasting garlic beforehand for a deeper, more caramelized flavor profile.
- Experiment with additional herbs like rosemary or thyme to add complexity to the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg