Description
Classic garlic cream cheese mashed potatoes elevate comfort food with rich, creamy goodness. Silky potatoes blend perfectly with tangy cream cheese and aromatic garlic for a side dish you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs (1.36 kg) Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup milk or heavy cream
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional)
Instructions
- Potato Preparation: Submerge cubed potatoes and whole garlic cloves in salted cold water, ensuring complete coverage in a large pot.
- Cooking Process: Bring water to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes become fork-tender, typically 15-20 minutes.
- Draining and Initial Mixing: Strain potatoes and garlic through a colander, then return to the warm pot and mash together using a potato masher or electric mixer until achieving a smooth, uniform texture.
- Creamy Integration: Fold in cream cheese, butter, and milk, blending thoroughly to create a luxuriously silky consistency. Modulate milk quantity to reach desired creaminess.
- Seasoning Refinement: Enhance the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting flavors to achieve a perfectly balanced profile.
- Presentation: Transfer the velvety potato mixture to a serving dish, optionally crowning with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives for a vibrant, elegant finish.
Notes
- Choose the Right Potatoes: Select starchy varieties like Russet or Yukon Gold for ultra-creamy, fluffy results that absorb flavors perfectly.
- Prevent Waterlogged Potatoes: Start with cold water and add salt before boiling to ensure even cooking and prevent potatoes from becoming soggy or falling apart.
- Master Smooth Texture: Use a potato masher or electric mixer on low speed to avoid overworking the potatoes, which can turn them gluey and dense instead of light and airy.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version, and use dairy-free cream cheese alternatives to accommodate lactose-intolerant or vegan diners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg