Go Back
–+ servings
Close-up top view of Best Ever Mashed Potatoes with cream cheese in an oval dish with thyme leaves and a pat of butter.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 35 minutes

Ultimate Mashed Potatoes Recipe (with Cream Cheese!)

Our very favorite mashed potato recipe. A special ingredient, cream cheese, makes them extra creamy and oh-so delicious.
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 pounds russet potatoes about 10 medium potatoes; peeled
  • 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature is best
  • 1/2 cup butter 1 stick; plus more for serving; room temp is best
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Carefully add peeled potatoes.
  • Boil over high heat until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 25 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and drain potatoes in a colander. Put drained potatoes back in the pot and put back on the stove over low heat.
  • Add the cream cheese, butter, 1/2 cup of the milk, and a hefty pinch salt and pepper.
  • Mash the potatoes with a potato masher until they reach desired consistency, adding more milk a little at a time until they're the texture you'd like. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if you like.
  • Spoon into a large bowl and top with a generous pat of butter and some fresh herbs if you like. Serve.

Notes

Vegan/Dairy-Free Option:

Swap the butter, cream cheese, and milk for plant-based options. Unsweetened oat milk is especially nice in mashed potatoes.

Make-Ahead

Make these mashed potatoes up to two days ahead of time. Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge, then warm them up either in a slow cooker on warm (stir every 30 minutes or so), over the stove top, or in the oven, covered so they don't dry out. You can also heat them in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.

Can I Freeze Mashed Potatoes?

You can freeze mashed potatoes with cream cheese up to one month ahead of time. Place them in an airtight container, then thaw overnight in the fridge. Warm them up in one of the ways listed above in "make-ahead ideas."

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1g, Calories: 372kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 344mg, Potassium: 904mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 775IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 85mg, Iron: 2mg