Who doesn't love a good mashed potato recipe? This Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe features the creamiest potatoes that are mashed to perfection and then mixed with the right level of heavy cream.
Plus, this recipe is absolutely perfect for the holidays because we'll be making this recipe in an Instant Pot which not only makes it super quick and easy to make, but you can also make it ahead of time!
I've tried making it ahead of time, and kept it in the pot on a warm cycle for literally hours! It tasted perfect even after 3 hours!
And you know how creamy mashed potatoes are usually tasty, but they can be pretty bland if you don’t add some flavorings?
Table of Contents
- What is Creamy Mashed Potatoes?
- What Makes This Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe Special?
- What Variety of Potatoes To Use for Creamy Mashed Potatoes?
- What to Need to Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes at Home
- How to Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes (Step-by-Step)
- What Else Can I Add to This Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe?
- How to Store Leftover Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Can You Freeze Mashed Potatoes?
- More Potato Recipes
- Recipe Card
What is Creamy Mashed Potatoes?
Creamy mashed potatoes are a delicious potato side dish that features mashed potatoes mixed in with delicious heavy cream for the perfect level of creaminess. You could say they're mashed potatoes but taken to the next level!
Mashed potatoes can be made with butter and milk. Creamed (or whipped) potatoes are beaten using an electric mixer or one of those old-fashioned hand-held manual mixers to achieve a smoother, creamier texture. They also contain some kind of cream to get a lighter texture.
Creamy mashed potatoes are also a little different than whipped potatoes.
The difference between the two is that whipped potatoes have air whipped into them while creamed potatoes have the cream added after the potatoes are cooked and they're beaten to achieve a smooth texture, but not necessarily to incorporate air into the potatoes.
Creamy mashed potatoes are truly the perfect source of carbohydrates and can complete any dinner meal as a perfect side!
What Makes This Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe Special?
Is there anything more comforting food than a good Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe? Mashed potatoes are also said to be a secondary bread for most people, especially in the countryside I was born.
It was as common as bread because kids love it and it's very filling. It never gets old at our house as well. I really wanted to post this quick version of it before Thanksgiving to save you time in the upcoming holiday cooking!
After discovering making mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot I rarely make it now on the stovetop anymore. Why?
For one, it means there's no need to boil your potatoes in a large pot, it's all done in the same inner pot we'll use!
And the other reason is that it only takes 8 minutes to cook! After the first 10 to 15 minutes for the pot to come to pressure, depending on how much potato is in the pot. So quick and easy!
And you know what is the most important thing I absolutely love about making mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot?
Once you mash the potato with a hand mixer (or a potato masher) it can be kept in the pot on a warm cycle for hours! Yes, you heard me right! Once I left it for as long as 3 hours just to test this concept out. The taste and texture were just as if it was freshly mashed!
Just mix the cooled top layer into the rest of the mashed potato to fluff it up, and one main course is done.
You guys, that's a huge time saver, especially during a major holiday! And when you're expecting guests and you have gazillion other things to do. Give it a try, you will thank me later!
What Variety of Potatoes To Use for Creamy Mashed Potatoes?
The star ingredient in this recipe is definitely the potatoes, so making sure we pick the right variety is really important! It makes a big difference in the end as to what kind of flavor, texture, and consistency your homemade mashed potatoes will have.
My favorite ones are russet potatoes because they always give you a light and fluffy result. Yukon gold potatoes are another great choice because they're dense, yet smooth.
Both these kinds of potatoes have a delicious, buttery texture which works perfectly in a mashed potatoes recipe! Pick either one of these readily available varieties and you'll have the tastiest creamy mashed potatoes ever!
What to Need to Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes at Home
Making this delicious creamy mashed potatoes recipe at home is easier than you think! This has got to be the easiest recipe out there and you'll need only four ingredients for it! Let's look at what they are:
- Potatoes: Of course, we'll first need some potatoes! I have a whole section in this post above to help you pick the right variety of potatoes for this recipe. I've used russet potatoes here but you can also go for Yukon Gold potatoes.
- Butter: We'll also need some butter to add a delicious flavor and consistency to our creamy mashed potatoes! I've used salted butter here.
- Salt: To add the right level of seasoning, we'll be using some sea salt in this recipe. If you prefer using unsalted butter you'll need to add an additional teaspoon of sea salt before cooking the potatoes.
- Heavy cream: To make these mashed potatoes nice and creamy, we'll be using some heavy whipping cream as well.
- Garnish: I've also used fresh dill in this recipe as a garnish. Check out the section below to learn other ideas for garnishes!
How to Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes (Step-by-Step)
This is, honestly, the easiest creamy mashed potatoes recipe you'll ever come across. After discovering this method of making these potatoes, I've never gone back to the traditional way. Here's how you can make creamy mashed potatoes step by step:
How to Cook Creamy Mashed Potatoes in an Instant Pot
Start by peeling and rinsing potatoes. Chop each potato into smaller chunks in a large bowl. I've cut the medium potato into 4 pieces and the large ones into 6 pieces.
Rinse once more and then add chopped potatoes into the Instant pot inner pot. Add just enough water to cover all potatoes. Finally, add 1 tsp. of sea salt.
Close the instant pot lid, and turn the valve to 'Sealing'. Click on the 'Pressure Cook' button and set the cooking time to 10 minutes.
It takes about 10 to 15 minutes for the Instant pot to pressurize. Then the instant pot will beep when heated and a 10-minute cooking time will start.
While the potatoes are cooking, cut butter into smaller pieces.
Next, rinse and chop fresh dill, and heat the cream in a small saucepan.
How to Mash Cooked Potatoes
After the potatoes are done cooking, using a kitchen glove turn the valve to 'Venting'. Make sure not to lean over the instant pot or the coming out steam will burn your face.
After the stem is released, open the Instant pot lid and use gloves to remove the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Carefully drain potatoes by dumping them into the strainer.
You'll have perfectly cooked, fork-tender potatoes that are ready for us to mash!
As soon as the water is drained transfer the potatoes from the strainer back into the Instant Pot inner pot. Place the inner pot back into the Instant Pot.
How to Cream Mashed Potatoes
Spread out cubed butter over drained potatoes and then using a hand mixer, potato masher, or potato ricer, cream the potatoes well.
Next, add heated cream and beat the potatoes some more until it's all well combined.
Cover the Instant pot back with a lid. Click on the keep warm cycle and adjust the timer to the preferred time (the picture below shows the timer set for 2 hours).
That's it! Your potatoes will stay fresh and warm. Alternatively, you can also keep them warm in the oven but letting them stay in the instant pot is so much easier!
Before serving sprinkle mashed potatoes with fresh dill and place some little pieces of butter if you'd like. Your delicious Creamy Mashed Potatoes are ready to be served!
What Else Can I Add to This Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe?
This homemade mashed potatoes recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to add more things to it, here are some ideas to try out:
Garnishes: Instead of fresh dill, you can also go for parsley, chives, thyme, rosemary, chopped roasted garlic cloves, or some chopped green onions.
Spices: You can add whichever spices you like to change up the flavor! Try a little pepper for some heat!
Cheese: You can also melt some cheese on top before serving. Cheddar cheese goes great with mashed potatoes.
Cream: Instead of heavy cream, you can also add sour cream or cream cheese to your creamy mashed potatoes.
How to Store Leftover Creamy Mashed Potatoes
You can also leftover creamy mashed potatoes in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Just stir in some heated cream and melted butter while reheating your mashed potatoes for the perfect flavor and consistency.
If you are preparing these creamy mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving but have limited stovetop space, you can leave them in the instant pot to stay warm. I've tried doing it for up to 3 hours and they tasted absolutely fresh.
Can You Freeze Mashed Potatoes?
Yes, you absolutely can! Thanks to the butter and cream, mashed potatoes made at home freeze quite well. Simply place it in a large Ziploc bag and freeze it for up to three months.
Alternatively, make smaller single-serving servings on a cookie sheet coated with parchment paper. Freeze until firm, about 4 hours, then store in a ziplock bag!
Simply bring to room temperature in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat as you normally would.
More Potato Recipes
- Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Ranch Potatoes Recipe
- Braised Potatoes with Beef
- Seasoned Baked Red Potato Wedges
- Bacon and Chive Roasted Potato Wedges
- Rich N’ Creamy Potato Casserole Recipe
- Onion Roasted Potatoes
- Scalloped Potatoes with Carrots
If you don't own an Instant Pot you can make this delicious Creamy Mashed Potatoes on the stovetop.
Recipe Card
Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe (Super Quick and Easy!)
Ingredients
What you Need to Make Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- 5 lbs. – Russet potatoes
- 1 tsp. – sea salt + 1 tsp. add during mashing
- 3 oz. – salted butter + 1 tbsp. butter for topping
- ½ cup – heavy whipping cream
- Organic dill for garnish
Instructions
How to Cook Creamy Mashed Potatoes in an Instant Pot
- Start by peeling and rinsing potatoes. Chop each potato into smaller chunks in a large bowl. I've cut the medium potato into 4 pieces and the large ones into 6 pieces.
- Rinse once more and then add chopped potatoes into the Instant pot inner pot. Add just enough water to cover all potatoes. Finally, add 1 tsp. of sea salt.
- Close the instant pot lid, and turn the valve to 'Sealing'. Click on the 'Pressure Cook' button and set the cooking time to 10 minutes.
- It takes about 10 to 15 minutes for the Instant pot to pressurize. Then the instant pot will beep when heated and a 10-minute cooking time will start.
- While the potatoes are cooking, cut butter into smaller pieces.
- Next, rinse and chop fresh dill, and heat the cream in a small saucepan.
How to Mash Cooked Potatoes
- After the potatoes are done cooking, using a kitchen glove turn the valve to 'Venting'. Make sure not to lean over the instant pot or the coming out steam will burn your face.
- After the stem is released, open the Instant pot lid and use gloves to remove the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Carefully drain potatoes by dumping them into the strainer.
- You'll have perfectly cooked, fork-tender potatoes that are ready for us to mash!
- As soon as the water is drained transfer the potatoes from the strainer back into the Instant Pot inner pot. Place the inner pot back into the Instant Pot.
How to Cream Mashed Potatoes
- Spread out cubed butter over drained potatoes and then using a hand mixer, potato masher, or potato ricer, cream the potatoes well.
- Next, add heated cream and beat the potatoes some more until it's all well combined.
- Cover the Instant pot back with a lid. Click on the keep warm cycle and adjust the timer to the preferred time (the picture below shows the timer set for 2 hours).
- That's it! Your potatoes will stay fresh and warm. Alternatively, you can also keep them warm in the oven but letting them stay in the instant pot is so much easier!
- Before serving sprinkle mashed potatoes with fresh dill and place some little pieces of butter if you'd like. Your delicious Creamy Mashed Potatoes are ready to be served!
Notes
- If you need to make 10 lbs. of potatoes for a Thanksgiving gathering or any party really, simply double the ingredients. For 10 lbs. of potatoes you must use an 8-quart size Instant Pot.
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