Easy Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Recipe (Rich and Creamy)
Mashed potatoes are already hard to say no to — add Gruyère, Parmesan, and cream cheese, and they become difficult to stop eating. This Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Recipe is straightforward to make, but I do have a few tips to make sure they turn out silky and full of flavor every time.
Ingredients
- 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 10 garlic cloves
- 3.5 oz (100 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, warmed
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream, warmed
- 1½ cup (150 g) Gruyère cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup (100 g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper (or white pepper)
Instructions
- Cook the Potatoes — Peel and cut the potatoes into roughly equal-sized pieces — about 1 to 1½ inches. Add them to a large pot or Dutch oven and cover completely with water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and the garlic cloves directly to the water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Drain and Dry — Drain the potatoes and garlic thoroughly, then return them to the pot over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes to let the excess moisture evaporate. Dry potatoes absorb butter and cream better.
- Mash with Butter — Add the butter directly to the warm potatoes and garlic and mash together using a handheld potato masher until mostly smooth. For an ultra-smooth, lump-free result, use a potato ricer or food mill instead. A hand mixer works too, but stop before it gets pasty; over-mixing activates too much starch and creates a gluey texture.
- Stir in the Cream Cheese — Add the room temperature cream cheese and stir until completely smooth and no streaks remain.
- Add the Dairy — Warm the whole milk and heavy cream before adding them to the potatoes — cold liquid stiffens the mash. Stir until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Fold in the Cheese — Add the shredded Gruyère and Parmesan cheese and stir until completely melted and smooth, folding gently to keep the texture light.
- Season, Garnish, and Serve — Taste and adjust the salt and black pepper. Finish with fresh chives, green onions, or a scattering of bacon bits and serve immediately while hot. Enjoy!