By Jill Baird · Published September 16, 2023 · Updated March 3, 2024 · 2 Comments
Jump to Recipe
This simple Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes recipe is fluffy, buttery, and can be made up to 3 days in advance. Make ahead potatoes are the perfect holiday side dish that can be easily reheated in a variety of different ways.
Jump to:
- Best Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Ingredients for Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- How to Make Mashed Potatoes Ahead of Time
- Recipe Variations for Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storing Make Ahead Potatoes
- Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Here are some more simple potato recipes that we love!
Best Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe
When you’ve got a full menu to prep, it’s good to have as many of these make ahead recipes in your back pocket as possible. These Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes are absolutely delish and so easy to throw together and toss in the fridge. They are loaded with creamy goodness making it completely impossible for them to be anything short of perfection.
Whether you like your mashed potatoes creamy or lumpy, skins-on or skins-off, this recipe provides you tips and step-by-step instructions to assure you mashed potato success. No gummy, flavorless mashed potatoes here!
Ingredients for Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
- Potatoes - we love using red potatoes for this recipe, but you can also use Idaho potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes.
- Salted Water - salting your water will season the potatoes lightly as they cook.
- Cream Cheese - you want your cream cheese to be at room temperature so it will mix into the mashed potatoes more easily.
- Sour Cream - either lite or full fat will work.
- Milk - we suggest using either whole milk or even subbing heavy cream.
- Butter - you can use salted or unsalted, just be aware of how much additional salt you add if you choose salted butter.
- Salt and Pepper - we like to use sea salt and ground black pepper.
- Onion Powder and Garlic Powder have a more sweet and mild flavor compared with the fresh versions. They are also great for adding to something creamy, such as mashed potatoes, as they won’t change the texture.
- Parsley - This is an optional garnish. If you choose to use it, you will want fresh parsley as it adds a nice color and beautiful fresh flavor.
How to Make Mashed Potatoes Ahead of Time
- Wash the potatoes, peel them (optional), and cut them into 1" cubes. Place the potatoes in a large pot, add 1 Tablespoon of salt, and add water to cover. Bring to a boil and boil potatoes for 20-30 minutes or until they are fork-tender.
- Drain the water, then add the potatoes back to the pot. Mash potatoes to your desired consistency using a hand masher or potato ricer, then add in your cream cheese, sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. Mix until well combined.
- Spread the mashed potato mixture into a 9 by 13" casserole dish and let the potatoes cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and foil and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- When you're ready to reheat, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. At the same time, remove the potatoes from the fridge to allow the baking dish to come to room temperature (at least 30 minutes).
- Before putting in the oven, remove the plastic wrap, cover with foil and bake for about 40-50 minutes, or until a thermometer reads 160 degrees.
- Once your mashed potatoes are warmed through, scoop into a large bowl, add a couple tablespoons of butter and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations for Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Make-ahead mashed potatoes are a time-saving and convenient side dish for any meal. Here are a few simple variations that you can make:
- Loaded Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes: Add crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions to your mashed potatoes for a loaded, hearty side dish.
- Make-Ahead Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Combine regular potatoes with sweet potatoes for a unique flavor profile. Sweet potatoes add a natural sweetness, and you can enhance the savory side with garlic, butter, and herbs.
- Make-Ahead Garlic Ranch Mashed Potatoes: Mix ranch seasoning and roasted garlic into your mashed potatoes for a creamy, tangy, and slightly tangy flavor. It's a great accompaniment to roasted or grilled poultry.
- Caramelized Onion Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes: Add caramelized onions for a sweet, savory, and slightly smoky flavor. The slow-cooked onions complement the creamy mashed potatoes perfectly.
- Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes with Truffle Oil: Drizzle a touch of truffle oil over your mashed potatoes for a luxurious and earthy flavor. Finish with chopped fresh chives for a gourmet touch.
- Make-Ahead Pesto Mashed Potatoes: Stir in a spoonful of your favorite pesto sauce for a herby and flavorful twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you thicken mashed potatoes?
There are a couple ways to thicken runny mashed potatoes. First, stir them gently allowing more steam to escape while they cool a little. Second, add in some cheese. A hard cheese like parmesan is especially good if you want to soak up some excess moisture. Third, try adding dehydrated potato pearls to mashed potatoes.
What's the best way to mash potatoes?
If you want the lightest and fluffiest mashed potatoes, I highly recommend using a potato ricer. They are inexpensive and easy to use and are perfect if you like your mashed potatoes super smooth.
You can also use a hand potato masher, which is probably the simplest method and great for lumpy mashed potato lovers. This way, you can mash your potatoes directly in the pot or bowl and you have a lot of control over how chunky or creamy you want them.
A third method is to use a standing electric mixer with the paddle attachment. This is the fastest way, but just be careful not to overmix or you will end up with a gummy mess. Gummy mashed potatoes are often the result of overmixing, so keep a close eye on them if you go this route.
Should you peel potatoes before mashing them?
Whether you use unpeeled or peeled potatoes is completely up to you. I love making them both ways! Just be sure to always scrub the potato skins well if you choose to keep them on.
How to reheat mashed potatoes?
Oven- To reheat potatoes in the oven, stir in butter, cream or any other desired flavorings. Spread the potatoes out on a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 20-3- minutes or until the potatoes are warmed through and reach 165º F.
Microwave- Place the potatoes in a covered microwave safe dish. Heat them at 50% power for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through. Once warm, stir well and add in dairy, butter, or your favorite toppings.
How to freeze mashed potatoes
Add a layer of butter and cream on the top of the mashed potatoes to make them freezer mashed potatoes. The butter and cream add a protective layer that will keep the potatoes soft and creamy when reheated.
Can you make ahead mashed potatoes ahead of time in the slow cooker?
Yes! If you want to make mashed potatoes from start to finish in the crockpot, check out our Crockpot Mashed Potatoes recipe. Otherwise, you can use a slow cooker to reheat your mashed potatoes by adding them and warming on low for about 3-4 hours. Stir a couple of times during the warming process and add a little more milk and butter if needed.
Storing Make Ahead Potatoes
- Refrigerator:store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer:store in an airtight container or freezer bags in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating in a slow cooker: about 3-4 hours before you plan to serve the meal, transfer your mashed potatoes from the baking dish to your crockpot.Cover and heat on low for 3-4 hours, stirring a couple of times throughout.Add a bit more milk (or heavy cream) and a few tablespoons of butter towards the end of the warming time, then serve whenever you are ready!
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe
These simple Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes with cream cheese are fluffy, buttery and can be made up to 3 days in advance. They make the perfect holiday side dish that can be easily reheated in a variety of different ways.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 40 minutes minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes minutes
Total Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 177kcal
Author The Carefree Kitchen
Ingredients
- 5 lbs Red Potatoes Idaho or Yukon gold work great, too.
- 1 Tablespoon Salt for Boiling Water
- 6 oz Cream Cheese room temperature
- 8 oz Sour Cream lite or full fat are both fine
- ½ Cup Milk can also use heavy cream
- 3 Tablespoons Butter Plus another 2-3 Tablespoons to garnish (optional)
- 1-2 teaspoons Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
Instructions
Wash the potatoes, peel (optional) and cut into 1" cubes. Place the potatoes in a large pot, add 1 Tablespoon of salt, and add water to cover. Bring to a boil and boil potatoes for 20-30 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
Drain the water, then add the potatoes back to the pot. Mash potatoes to your desired consistency using a hand masher or potato ricer, then add in your cream cheese, sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. Mix until well combined.
Spread the mashed potato mixture into a 9 by 13" casserole dish and let the potatoes cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and foil and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
When you're ready to re-heat, preheat oven to 325 degrees. At the same time, remove the potatoes from the fridge to allow the baking dish to come to room temperature (at least 30 minutes).
Just before putting in the oven, remove the plastic wrap, cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160 degrees.
Once your mashed potatoes are warmed through, scoop into a large bowl, add a couple tablespoons of butter and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
Tips:
- You can leave the peels on or take them off, whichever you prefer, just make sure to wash them
- Start with cold water covering your potatoes, then bring to a boil. They will cook more evenly this way.
- Salting the water you boil your potatoes in seasons them as they cook.
- A hand potato masher will you give you a great rustic mashed potatoes texture.
- Cutting your potatoes smaller will make them cook faster!
Nutrition
Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 1298mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 618IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg
Here are some more simple potato recipes that we love!
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Red Potatoes
- Oven Baked Potatoes
- Garlic Herb Cheesy Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Red Potatoes
- Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes
- Bacon and Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- Warm Potato Salad
- More Potato Recipes
- Best Potato Recipes
If you're looking for more of the Best Holiday Recipes, be sure to try our...
- Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Gruyere Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Cheese Ball
- Oven Baked Jalapeno Poppers
- No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
- No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
- More Holiday Recipes
If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you. It helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest, feel free to leave a comment and photo there too. Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!
These simple Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes are fluffy, buttery and absolutely delicious. They are loaded with creamy goodness and so easy to throw together and toss in the fridge.
« Wassail
Cranberry Salsa »
« Wassail
Cranberry Salsa »
Reader Interactions
Comments
Lori
Excellent and a time saver!
Reply
Gina
When there is so much to cook this is a real time saver! The mashed potatoes are delicious and creamy and I know I will be making them this way again this year!
Reply
