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    Home / Side Dishes

    Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes | Easy Low Calorie Option

    By Leave a Comment

    These Creamy Mashed Potatoes have been my favorite mashed potato recipe since forever. Literally. My mom has been making these as far back as I can recall. And they're still hands down the best mashed potatoes I've ever had. I love the secret ingredient of green onions, they add that sweet spice and a slight crunch. Plus, making them the night before allows the flavors to really marry and intensify! When you make the night before you save yourself lots of time in the kitchen!

    Jump to Recipe
    Make the day before creamy mashed potatoes. Delicious side dish for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas!
    Pin me!
    Make the day before creamy mashed potatoes. Delicious side dish for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas!

    Make your mashed potatoes the night before!

    Literally, the best thing in the world is being over-prepared for a holiday lunch or dinner, right? Well, these mashed potatoes are whipped up the day before. You can eat them right away if you must, but refrigerating overnight gives them this indescribable texture and taste. I just love it! I simply pull them out while the oven heats up and then pop them in there for about 40 minutes until they're super hot all the way through. Smooth, hot mashed potatoes really make your meal.

    Make the day before creamy mashed potatoes. Delicious side dish for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas!

    Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas

    I make these every year for Easter. They are a delightful combination with honeyed ham and a side of green beans. Plus, we always host Easter at our house, so making these ahead of time is a life saver!

    Obviously mashed potatoes are a total necessity for Thanksgiving, and let me tell you, these potatoes really elevate the typically bland turkey. I wish you could scoop your little mitts right into this picture and taste how amazing these mashed potatoes really are!

    Christmas dinner is a big deal around our house. We like to mix it up with our main dish, but I always make these potatoes. Again because I can make them the day before and that only makes them more delicious and makes my life easier! Win, win!

    Make the day before creamy mashed potatoes. Delicious side dish for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas!

    Let's make these creamy mashed potatoes!

    To make these mashed potatoes, you'll need about 45 minutes and 1 pot. I'm all about minimal dishes folks.

    Peel and cut potatoes into 2" pieces.

    Boil enough water to cover potatoes and give them room to dance around. Once boiling, put your potatoes in and let them cook until fork tender, about 15-20 minutes.

    Drain water and return potatoes to pot.

    Now, I like to use my Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer (I love this thing! It's lasted forever and works great!) to start breaking down the cooked potatoes for about a minute.

    Add the cream cheese, sour cream, butter and salt and mix on medium speed until fully combined and only small lumps remain.

    Stir in the green onions for that awesome pop of flavor! And then you're done!

    Pour into your casserole dish and cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

    When you're ready to scarf these down, heat the oven to 350°F and bring the potatoes out of the fridge (if refrigerated) and allow to start coming to room temp.

    Heat uncovered on middle rack for 40-45 minutes until piping hot all the way through the center. ENJOY!

    Creamy Mashed Potatoes - Make ahead dish perfect for holidays. So creamy and flavorful and super simple to throw together the day before! I love how easy this recipe is!

    Cutting back on the calories is super easy!

    If you're feeling like all the creamy goodness is a bit heavy, it's really easy to cut back on the calories without sacrificing flavor! Simply purchase the low fat cream cheese and sour cream! Easy! Both of those cut the fat by about two thirds. So then these mashed potatoes become a side dish you can indulge in without any guilt!

    Love these creamy mashed potatoes? Try these other great side dish recipes!

    • Bake your own homemade french fries. So crazy easy and so delicious! Million times better than freezer fries, and super easy!
      Seasoned Fries and Blue Cheese Aioli
    • Quinoa spinach bacon and breadcrumb side dish warm and healthy
      Healthy Spinach & Bacon Quinoa
    Make the day before creamy mashed potatoes. Delicious side dish for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas!

    Creamy Mashed Potatoes

    Seriously the creamiest and most amazing mashed potatoes ever!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

    Ingredients 

    • 6 medium or large potatoes - russet
    • 8 oz cream cheese - room temperature
    • 1 C sour cream
    • ½ C unsalted butter - room temperature
    • 2 eggs - beaten
    • 2 teaspoon salt - more to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper - more to taste
    • ½ C sliced green onions
    • paprika - to sprinkle on top (optional)

    Instructions

    • Cut potatoes into quarters or smaller. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes; drain.
    • Mash potatoes using a potato masher or electric beater. 
    • Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until no lumps remain. Place in buttered 1 ½ quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with paprika (if desired). Cover and refrigerate overnight or until cooking time. 
    • When ready to bake, heat oven to 350°F. Let potatoes rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake for 35-40 minutes or until hot through.

    Notes

    These are the best potatoes to make ahead of time! Perfect for Thanksgiving, Easter or any gathering!
    Make the day before creamy mashed potatoes. Delicious side dish for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas!

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      Restaurant Style Refried Beans | Instant Pot

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