Make rich, velvety mashed potatoes that bake to a golden finish. This recipe focuses on achieving maximum creaminess before baking for a comforting side dish.
Author:cookingbymia
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:45 min
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Side Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
3 lbs Russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 cup whole milk
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (for topping)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold, salted water.
Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes until they are fork-tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Drain the potatoes completely. Return them to the hot, empty pot over low heat for one minute to dry out any remaining moisture.
Remove the pot from the heat. Add the milk and butter. Mash the potatoes until smooth.
Add the softened cream cheese, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Whip the mixture until it is completely smooth and velvety. Do not overmix.
Spread the mashed potatoes evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top layer of potatoes.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the edges are lightly golden brown.
Remove from the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh chives before serving.
Notes
For an extra rich flavor, warm the milk and butter slightly before adding them to the potatoes.
If you want a crispier top, place the dish under the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
You can prepare the mashed potatoes completely, cover, and refrigerate them up to 24 hours before the final baking step. Add 10 minutes to the bake time if baking cold.