Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes for a Crowd
Effortlessly feed a crowd with this creamy and indulgent Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes recipe, perfect for holidays or large gatherings. Featuring fluffy Russet potatoes blended with a rich combination of butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and a hint of garlic powder, these mashed potatoes are pure comfort food at its finest. Designed for convenience, this dish allows you to prepare it up to two days in advance—simply bake it in the oven before serving for a golden, warmed-to-perfection finish. The optional garnish of fresh chives adds a pop of color and a mild, zesty flavor. With instructions that are easy to follow and enough to serve 12, these crowd-pleasing mashed potatoes are an essential addition to your entertaining menu.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 5 pounds Russet potatoes
- 1 cup Unsalted butter
- 8 ounces Cream cheese
- 1 cup Sour cream
- 0.5 cup Milk
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh chives (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Peel the Russet potatoes and cut them into evenly-sized chunks, about 2 inches wide.
Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water.
Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook the potatoes for 20-25 minutes or until they are fork-tender.
Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Let them sit for 1-2 minutes over low heat to evaporate any residual moisture.
Add the unsalted butter, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper to the pot with the potatoes.
Use a potato masher or a hand mixer to mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy. For a chunkier texture, mash less thoroughly.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more salt or pepper to taste.
Transfer the mashed potatoes to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Let the potatoes cool completely, cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, and refrigerate for up to 2 days if making ahead.
When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the foil and bake the mashed potatoes for 30-35 minutes, or until heated through.
If desired, garnish with freshly chopped chives before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
438 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 26.9 g | 34% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.8 g | 84% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 74 mg | 25% | |
| Sodium | 416 mg | 18% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.2 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.4 g | ||
| Protein | 7.5 g | 15% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 84 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 1.3 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 1014 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
