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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Potatoes

    Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    Published: Dec 9, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free / Vegetarian
    Make ahead mashed potatoes with a text title overlay.
    Make ahead mashed potatoes with a text title overlay.

    A deliciously creamy mashed potato recipe that you can make in advance and store to save time and get ahead for big meals like Christmas dinner. Just reheat when you are ready to serve. Make ahead mashed potatoes are our ultimate Christmas dinner time saving hack.

    A bowl of mashed potatoes next to a towel and a pot of salt and pepper.

    We are BIG fans of any way we can save time and effort when making big meals like Christmas dinner or maybe a Sunday roast for a crowd. This make ahead mashed potato recipe is so easy to throw together and then just store it until you are ready to reheat and serve. Lots of different ways to adapt it with add-ins too.

    If you are looking for some more mashed potato recipes, why not try our Microwave Mashed Potatoes, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes?

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • Step by step
    • Health benefits of potatoes
    • Variations
    • What to serve with Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
    • Make ahead and store
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More potato recipes
    • Recipe

    Why you will love it

    • Time saving - You will have enough to do on Christmas day with all the other parts of the big meal. So save yourself some time with make ahead mashed potatoes.
    • Perfectly creamy - Don't worry, even though you are making these in advance they are still deliciously creamy. Plenty of butter and a little cream helps with that.
    • Versatile - What can't you serve mashed potatoes with? We have lots of suggestions as this is a versatile side dish.
    • Adaptable - There are so many different things you can add-in to make ahead mashed potatoes so you never have to have them the same way twice.

    Ingredients and substitutions

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • Potatoes - You can use any potatoes for make ahead mashed potatoes, however starchy and fluffy potatoes work the best. King Edwards, Maris Piper, Russets, Yukon golds, Desirée or Rooster work really well for making the perfect mashed potato.
    • Butter and Cream - This is what makes perfectly creamy mashed potato. The key to freezing and reheating mashed potatoes is that they have plenty of fat in them.
    • Salt and pepper - Generously season.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    Step by step

    One: Put the chopped potatoes into a pan (a). Cover in boiling water (b).

    TWo shot collage of chopped potatoes in a pan, then with water added.

    Two: Bring to the boil again. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.

    Potatoes boiling in a pan on a hob.

    Three: Once cooked, mash the potatoes to your desired consistency.

    Mashed potatoes in a pan.

    Four: Leave to cool and transfer to a bowl. Cover tightly and refrigerate. This will keep in the fridge for 2 days.

    A plate of cold mashed potato.

    Five: When you are ready to serve the potatoes, put the cream and butter into a pan (a). Gently heat until the butter has melted (b), about 2 minutes.

    Two shot collage of cream and butter in a pan, before and after heating.

    Six: Stir in the potatoes, continuing to heat gently.

    Mashed potatoes added to the cream and butter.

    Health benefits of potatoes

    Whilst we do love a good sweet potato mash, you just can't beat chips made with white potatoes. White potatoes have so many nutrients in them, they really shouldn't get a bad reputation.

    They are low in fat (although adding the cream and butter does change this), sodium and cholesterol, they have nearly half of your daily vitamin C and they are a great source of potassium - even more than a banana. They are full of fibre and magnesium, and they are filling too. On top of this, they are also suitable for almost any diet, from vegan to gluten free. I am not sure what more you could want!

    Variations

    All the flavour in these make ahead mashed potatoes comes from the cream and butter. Then you could add some flavour with some mature cheddar or cream cheese stirred in at the end. However, there are a few other flavour options as well.

    You could add in some rosemary or thyme, or if you wanted a summer version to these, then you could add basil and lemon. Parmesan is also a good alternative to cheddar.

    If you like a kick of heat in your food, then you can stir in some dried red chilli flakes. Want to make them really indulgent? When you add the cheese, stir in some cooked chopped bacon. Next. Level. Potatoes.

    For something a little different, pesto stirred in to mashed potatoes is really good. So are caramelised onions.

    A plate of sausages, peas and mashed potatoes.

    What to serve with Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    Mashed potatoes are such a versatile side dish, you can serve them with pretty much anything. We served ours with vegetarian sausages and Minted Peas then smothered it in Onion Gravy, but we love it as an alternative to roast potatoes with a roast dinner. Why not try our Slow Cooker Roast Beef or Perfect Roast Chicken?

    However, here are some of our favourite recipes that go perfectly with it too:

    • Homemade Fish Fingers
    • Stuffed Chicken Breast
    • Honey and Lime Chicken
    • Peri Peri Chicken
    • Halloumi and Vegetable Skewers
    • Lemon and Rosemary Chicken
    • Sausage and Lentil Stew
    • Easy Italian Chicken
    • Chicken Kiev

    Make ahead and store

    The whole appeal of this recipe is making it in advance and then reheating it when you needed, so here are the different ways that you can do that.

    Fridge: Leave the mashed potatoes to cool and transfer to a bowl. Cover tightly and refrigerate. This will keep in the fridge for 2 days.

    Freezer: You might be thinking "can I freeze mashed potato?", the answer is yes! If you are going to freeze mashed potatoes, then add the cream and butter first and freeze. Then add a little more butter and cream when reheating. So, make the mashed potatoes, with butter and cream, and once cooled put them in freezer bags and lay flat in the freezer. You can do this up to a month in advance.

    Defrost: You can defrost at room temperature and it will take about 5 hours.

    Reheat: When you are ready to serve the potatoes, put the cream and butter into a pan. Gently heat until the butter has melted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the potatoes, continuing to heat gently.

    If you are reheating frozen potatoes that already have the cream and butter in, then you can reheat it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and stir in some cream and butter before serving.

    Two small pats of butter melting on top of hot mashed potatoes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What to use to mash potatoes

    We use a really sturdy potato masher to mash our potatoes, as we are fine with a few smaller lumps. However, if you like your mashed potatoes super smooth, then get yourself a potato ricer. This gives you really smooth and creamy potatoes, and makes sure that they aren't overworked like they would be with a masher, which is key if you are going to use leftovers to make gnocchi.

    What to do with leftover mashed potatoes

    Whilst leftovers of this side dish is rare in our house, if you do have any leftovers then there are a few really good options to make sure that nothing goes to waste. You can make leftover mashed potato cakes by mixing them with an egg and a little flour, then forming into patties and frying. Or, you can make our Leftover Mashed Potato Gnocchi.

    How to make vegan mashed potatoes

    You will need to swap the cream and butter for plant based versions.

    How many potatoes do I need per person for mashed potatoes?

    We go with 200g/7oz of potatoes per person. Adults might have a little more and kids might have a little less.

    Can you peel potatoes ahead of time?

    If you don't want to cook the mashed potato ahead of time, but just prepare it, then you could peel and chop the potatoes and then keep them in a pan of cold water in the fridge until the next day.

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    Extra tips

    • Cut all the potatoes to the same size to ensure that they all cook the same.
    • If you prefer chunky mashed potatoes, then don't over mash them. We like ours really creamy and fluffy.
    • We find using a potato masher is fine, however if you like really smooth potatoes then you can use a potato ricer.
    • Add salt and pepper at the end to season, that way you can taste them and add more if you prefer.
    • You don't have to peel the potatoes, and leaving the skin on will save even more time and still keep the fibre.

    More potato recipes

    • Air Fryer Potato Slices
    • Microwave Mashed Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Jacket Potato

    If you’ve tried this easy mashed potatoes recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Make ahead mashed potatoes in a large round bowl.

    Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    A deliciously creamy mashed potato recipe that can be made in advance to save time. Make ahead mashed potatoes are our ultimate dinner time saving hack.
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    5 from 2 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: British
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 397kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 800 g Potatoes - peeled and diced
    • 200 ml Cream
    • 40 g Butter
    • 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper

    Instructions

    • Put the chopped potatoes into a pan. Cover in boiling water.
    • Bring to the boil again. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
    • Once cooked, return to the hob and let steam dry.
    • Mash the potatoes to your desired consistency.
    • Leave to cool and transfer to a bowl. Cover tightly and refrigerate. This will keep in the fridge for 2 days.
    • When you are ready to serve the potatoes, put the cream and butter into a pan. Gently heat until the butter has melted, about 2 minutes.
    • Stir in the potatoes, continuing to heat gently. Season to taste.

    Notes

    • Cut all the potatoes to the same size to ensure that they all cook the same.
    • If you prefer chunky mashed potatoes, then don't over mash them. We like ours really creamy and fluffy.
    • We find using a potato masher is fine, however if you like really smooth potatoes then you can use a potato ricer.
    • Add salt and pepper at the end to season, that way you can taste them and add more if you prefer.
    • You don't have to peel the potatoes, and leaving the skin on will save even more time and still keep the fibre.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 892mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 993IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

     

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    My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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