Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Sharing is caring!

Perfect Mashed Potatoes. Creamy and rich mashed potatoes pull together the meal! This classic recipe combines potatoes, cream cheese, and garlic for the perfect blend! 

This post contains the recipe for the most PERFECT mashed potatoes you will ever eat. You can thank me later. Of course, cream cheese had to be one of the stand out ingredients of this tasty dish. Finding the balance was where it got a little tricky. Not enough and you are not able to taste the creamy goodness, but too much and it overpowers the delicate flavor of the potatoes. I also decided to add a little garlic but that was met with mixed reviews. What it comes down to is this…

If you love garlic, like I do, then add it in. If you feel like your family might not love the zing it adds you can leave it out. Simple, right?

Recipe Features:

• Easy Recipe: Less than 30-minutes and you’ll have a great side dish!
• Comfort Food:
• Versatile Side Dish:

What You’ll Need:

For a full list of ingredients and their measurements see the recipe card below.

• Potatoes- See note below
• Butter- I recommend salted
• Parmesan Cheese- Fresh grated- Not the kind in a can.
• Milk- Whole milk or cream
• Cream Cheese
• Chives and Garlic
• Salt and pepper

I love how adaptable this recipe can be. Add or takeaway a few ingredients and you have a completely new flavor.

Pair this homemade garlic mashed potatoes recipe with an easy turkey gravy for an easy side dish that is sure to impress. Whether this is going to be served for Thanksgiving, Sunday dinner, or just any ol’ occasion… You will not be disappointed.

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Peel and cut the potatoes into even sizes. Boil until you can easily pierce with a fork, about 20 minutes depending on the size.
2. Drain and place into a large bowl.
3. Add the butter, parmesan, milk, cream cheese, chives, and garlic.
4. Mash until smooth.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tips and FAQ’s:

This creamy mashed potatoes recipe is fairly simple once you have made it a time or two. Below are some of the most common questions I’ve been asked.

Why are my mashed potatoes lumpy?

Lumps in your potatoes typically are caused by not cooking the potatoes long enough. Make sure they are soft to a fork prick, but not too soft that they mush.

Mashed Potatoes are too dry:

This is the easiest fix. Sometimes your potatoes will soak up the moisture and end up a little dry. Add a dash more of milk or cream.

What to add to mashed potatoes for flavor:

Remember when I mentioned how easy this recipe is to adapt? Here are a few additional mix-ins or substitutions we suggest.

• Swap the milk for cream
• Play with seasonings- Garlic salt, onion powder, Italian seasoning. Use what you like.
• I like parmesan, but we have also used cheddar or pepper jack!
• Sprinkle with bacon.

Related Recipes:

Like this recipe? You will love my:

• Funeral Potatoes
• Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
• Cheesy Dutch Oven Potatoes
• Creamy Dill Potato Salad
• Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup