There's something heartwarming about a bowl of Mashed Potato Puree. The creamy texture, the rich flavor of the russets, the salty tang of the butter, and the smoothness of the cream cheese and heavy cream all come together to create a side dish that's nothing short of heavenly.
This dish is a gourmet take on the classic mashed potatoes and is also known as pommes purée. It’s simple yet sophisticated, making it an ideal choice for both weekday dinners and special occasions. Plus, it’s a fun and delicious way to incorporate potatoes, a staple ingredient in many households, into your meals.
What makes this mashed potato puree recipe stand out is the attention to detail in every step, from peeling and boiling the potatoes to mashing them with the right ingredients. The use of room temperature butter and cream cheese guarantees a smooth and creamy texture, while the addition of heavy cream gives the puree a rich, delightful feeling.
Want to learn how to make this mashed potato puree recipe? Then keep on reading.
Table of Contents
- What is Mashed Potato Puree?
- What Makes This Mashed Potato Puree Recipe Special?
- What You Need to Make Mashed Potato Puree
- How to Make Mashed Potato Puree Step by Step
- Tips for Making the Best Mashed Potato Puree Ever
- Serving Suggestions for Mashed Potato Puree
- Recipe Variation Ideas for Mashed Potato Puree
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Leftover Mashed Potato Puree
- Similar Recipes You'll Love
- Recipe Card
- Creamy Mashed Potato Puree (Easy with Classic Flavors)
- Comments
What is Mashed Potato Puree?
Mashed potato puree is a smooth, creamy, and flavorful side dish that goes beyond your typical mashed potato recipe. It’s creamier, heartier, and absolutely delicious.
What sets this recipe apart is the use of cream cheese and heavy cream, which give this dish a unique, luxurious feel and a depth of flavor that traditional mashed potatoes often lack.
The process of boiling the potatoes, then mashing them and beating in the butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream, is an interesting cooking technique resulting in a wonderfully creamy texture. It’s a recipe that demands a little more time and attention, but the result is well worth the effort.
Plus, it’s a dish that's sure to impress at dinner parties, yet simple enough for a weeknight meal. The taste is simply divine, with the cream cheese and heavy cream providing a rich, buttery flavor that beautifully compliments the natural starches in the potatoes.
Once you try it, it’ll become your new go-to mashed potato recipe!
What Makes This Mashed Potato Puree Recipe Special?
- Easy to make: This homemade mashed potato puree recipe is straightforward and simple. With only a few basic ingredients like russets, butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream, it is an effortless dish that anyone can whip up.
- Family-favorite: This mashed potato puree is a hit with families everywhere. Its creamy texture and rich flavor, thanks to the butter and cream cheese, make it a comfort food that everyone from the kids to the adults will love.
- Versatile: This mashed potato puree can be served alongside a variety of main dishes, from steak to chicken. It is the ultimate versatile side dish that compliments any meal.
- Crowd pleaser: Whether it’s for a family dinner or a holiday feast, this mashed potato puree is sure to please the crowd. It’s a side dish that's both satisfying and flavorful, making it a hit at any gathering.
What You Need to Make Mashed Potato Puree
All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this mashed potato puree recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:
- Russet Potatoes: Russets are the go-to potatoes for mashed potatoes due to their high starch content. This will give your mashed potatoes a fluffy and light texture.
- Salt: A key ingredient in bringing out the flavor of the potatoes. It also helps to balance the creaminess of the other ingredients.
- Salted Butter: The fat source in our recipe, it imparts a rich, buttery flavor to the mashed potatoes.
- Cream Cheese: This adds a tangy flavor and extra creaminess to the mashed potatoes, making them irresistibly smooth and delicious.
- Heavy Cream: This ingredient is used to add a rich and velvety texture to the mashed potatoes. It helps make the potatoes creamy and enhances the dish's overall flavor.
How to Make Mashed Potato Puree Step by Step
Making this incredible mashed potato puree is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:
How to Prepare the Ingredients
Start by gathering all your ingredients. This includes cream cheese, heavy cream, butter, and russets or Yukon gold potatoes.
Cut the butter into small pieces and let it sit on the countertop along with the cream cheese. Allowing these ingredients to reach room temperature will make them easier to combine with the potatoes later on.
How to Prep and Cook the Potatoes
Next, fill a large bowl with cold water. Peel your potatoes and place them in the water. This not only cleans the potatoes but also prevents them from browning due to exposure to air. Once peeled, cut the potatoes into quarters and give them another good rinse.
After washing the potatoes, place them in a large pot and fill with water until all the potatoes are submerged. Add a tablespoon of salt for flavor.
Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. You might notice some white foam forming on top of the water. This is just the starches from the potatoes, and it is best to remove this with a spoon. Let the potatoes simmer, rather than maintain a rolling boil, to guarantee that they cook evenly without falling apart.
Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small opening for steam to escape. This will also help prevent the potatoes from overcooking and becoming too soft. After about half an hour, or when you can easily slice through a potato with a knife, drain the potatoes.
While the potatoes are boiling, heat the heavy cream for about thirty seconds in the microwave. This will make it easier to combine with the other ingredients.
How to Mash the Potatoes
Once your potatoes are cooked and drained, transfer them to a large bowl. Add the softened butter and use a hand mixer or a potato ricer to mash the potatoes until they're smooth.
Now it is time to add the softened cream cheese. Beat the mixture again for about a minute, or until the cream cheese is well incorporated.
The final step is to add the hot heavy cream to the potatoes. Continue to beat the mixture for another two to three minutes. This will give your mashed potatoes a light, fluffy texture and a luxurious, creamy flavor.
Your mashed potato puree is now ready to serve! This dish makes a great side for steak or any other main course. Enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Mashed Potato Puree Ever
- Use room temperature butter and cream cheese: Before starting the recipe, cut the butter into small pieces and let it sit on the counter along with the cream cheese. This will allow them to reach room temperature and blend smoothly into the mashed potatoes.
- Prevent browning with cold water: After peeling the potatoes, place them in a bowl of cold water. This will prevent the potatoes from browning and help to remove any excess starches.
- Don't over-boil your potatoes: Keep an eye on your pot once the potatoes start to boil. Reduce the heat to low and let them simmer. This will guarantee your potatoes are tender without falling apart.
- Drain well: After boiling, drain your potatoes well. This will prevent them from becoming water-logged and guarantee a fluffy texture in your mashed potatoes.
- Heat your heavy cream: Before adding it to your potatoes, heat the heavy cream for about thirty seconds in the microwave. This will help it to blend more easily into the potatoes and make your puree creamier.
- Mash then mix: Start by using a potato ricer or a hand mixer to mash the potatoes. Once they are mashed, then add in your butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream. This will give your mashed potatoes a smoother texture.
- Take your time: Don't rush the mashing and mixing process. The more time you take to thoroughly mash and mix your potatoes, the creamier your puree will be.
Serving Suggestions for Mashed Potato Puree
- Serve this mashed potato puree as a side dish with a juicy steak. The rich, creamy texture of the potatoes makes a wonderful contrast to the savory steak.
- Looking for a way to add more fiber to your diet? Mashed potato puree is a great choice. Pair it with a salad or a bowl of roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.
- For a delicious breakfast, spoon some mashed potato puree onto a plate and top it with crispy bacon and chives. It is a hearty way to start your day!
- For a twist on the classic recipe, stir in some sour cream and garlic into your mashed potato puree. It adds a tangy flavor that's absolutely irresistible.
- For a comforting meal, serve this mashed potato puree with a hearty stew or casserole. The potatoes will soak up the delicious juices and enhance the overall flavor.
- Use this mashed potato puree as a topping for a shepherd's pie. The creamy potatoes meld perfectly with the meaty filling, creating a deliciously satisfying dish.
Recipe Variation Ideas for Mashed Potato Puree
This delicious mashed potato puree recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:
- Add Garlic: For a sophisticated twist on the classic mashed potatoes, try adding a couple of cloves of crushed garlic to your pot as you boil your potatoes. The garlic will infuse into the potatoes, giving them a subtle yet rich flavor. This variation is perfect for garlic lovers and pairs well with steak as a side dish.
- Add some Bacon: Who doesn't love bacon? For a savory spin on the recipe, fry up some bacon until crispy, then crumble it on top of your mashed potato puree. The crunch and saltiness of the bacon add a delicious contrast to the creamy texture of the potatoes.
- Make it Creamy with a Stand Mixer: For a smoother texture, try using a stand mixer or potato ricer to mash your potatoes. This can create a silky puree that's perfect for a fancy dinner.
- Boost the Fiber: If you want to add some extra fiber to your meal, leave the peels on your potatoes. The peels not only add fiber but also give the mashed potatoes a rustic texture. Just be sure to wash the potatoes well before boiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best potatoes for this recipe are russets or Yukon golds. They have the right amount of starches to give the mashed potatoes a fluffy texture.
Adding salt to the boil helps flavor the potatoes from the inside as they cook. This way, every bite of your mashed potatoes will be full of flavor.
Cream cheese adds a delicious creaminess to the mashed potatoes. It also contributes to the rich flavor of this side dish.
Allowing the butter and cream cheese to reach room temperature guarantees that they will blend smoothly with the potatoes. It also helps to create a creamy and smooth texture in the final puree.
Heating the heavy cream makes it easier to incorporate into the mashed potatoes. It also helps keep the potatoes warm.
How to Store Leftover Mashed Potato Puree
If you have some leftover mashed potato puree, don’t worry. Mashed potato puree can be stored in the fridge quite easily.
Simply transfer the leftover puree into a bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or a lid, and place it in the refrigerator. It should last for up to three to five days. Just remember, the fresher the ingredients you use, the longer it will last.
Plus, you can also freeze them. To do this, spoon the puree into a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Make sure to leave some room at the top as the puree will expand a bit when it freezes.
You can store the mashed potatoes in the freezer for up to three months. However, due to the heavy cream and butter in the recipe, the texture may change slightly upon thawing. It is always best to use frozen mashed potatoes within a month or two for the best flavor and texture.
When you're ready to enjoy your mashed potatoes again, there are a couple of options for reheating. If you've stored your puree in the fridge, you can simply place it in a pot, add a bit of butter or cream to keep it moist, and simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula until heated through.
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Recipe Card
Creamy Mashed Potato Puree (Easy with Classic Flavors)
Ingredients
For the Mashed Potato Puree
- 5 lbs. – Russet potatoes
- ½ tbsp. - salt (or to taste)
- 4 tbsp. – salted butter
- 2 tbsp. – cream cheese
- ½ cup – heavy cream
Instructions
How to Prepare the Ingredients
- Start by gathering all your ingredients. This includes cream cheese, heavy cream, butter, and russets or Yukon gold potatoes.
- Cut the butter into small pieces and let it sit on the countertop along with the cream cheese. Allowing these ingredients to reach room temperature will make them easier to combine with the potatoes later on.
How to Prep and Cook the Potatoes
- Next, fill a large bowl with cold water. Peel your potatoes and place them in the water. This not only cleans the potatoes but also prevents them from browning due to exposure to air. Once peeled, cut the potatoes into quarters and give them another good rinse.
- After washing the potatoes, place them in a large pot and fill with water until all the potatoes are submerged. Add a tablespoon of salt for flavor.
- Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. You might notice some white foam forming on top of the water. This is just the starches from the potatoes, and it is best to remove this with a spoon. Let the potatoes simmer, rather than maintain a rolling boil, to guarantee that they cook evenly without falling apart.
- Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small opening for steam to escape. This will also help prevent the potatoes from overcooking and becoming too soft. After about half an hour, or when you can easily slice through a potato with a knife, drain the potatoes.
- While the potatoes are boiling, heat the heavy cream for about thirty seconds in the microwave. This will make it easier to combine with the other ingredients.
How to Mash the Potatoes
- Once your potatoes are cooked and drained, transfer them to a large bowl. Add the softened butter and use a hand mixer or a potato ricer to mash the potatoes until they're smooth.
- Now it is time to add the softened cream cheese. Beat the mixture again for about a minute, or until the cream cheese is well incorporated.
- The final step is to add the hot heavy cream to the potatoes. Continue to beat the mixture for another two to three minutes. This will give your mashed potatoes a light, fluffy texture and a luxurious, creamy flavor.
- Your mashed potato puree is now ready to serve! This dish makes a great side for steak or any other main course. Enjoy!
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This recipe was originally posted on November 24, 2015 (original picture below). I updated the pictures and the post for a better user experience. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
Sophie says
It was delicious thanks
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for your feedback. 🙂
Sophie says
Wow, that's quite a story you have of your Grandfather. Have you read "Sergei" by Sergei Kourdakov? Its a biography that tells of the persecution Christians suffered in the USSR. It's one of my very favorite Christian books and I find Russian history so interesting. You've got a great blog by the way 🙂 I've just made the pumpkin, honey roll it's waiting in the fridge to be ready to eat
valya'stasteofhome.com says
No, I didn't read it. I'll try to find the book. Let me know how you like it. I love to have it for breakfast with coffee.