The BEST Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Name: The BEST Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 kg Maris Piper potatoes (peeled and chopped); 30 ml full fat milk; 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper; 75 g butter (chopped); 2 tbsp creme fraiche

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One thing that everyone should know how to make is the BEST Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Smooth (or with lumps if that is what you like) and creamy potatoes are a classic side dish that are so easy to make. Really versatile, as you can serve them with anything, and you can even repurpose leftovers. This recipe also includes 15 ways to flavour mashed potatoes.

Mashed potatoes on a blue plate topped with sliced spring onions.

We are potato lovers. Or potato obsessed that should be. If we had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of our lives, it would probably be potatoes because there is so much to do with them. But mashed potatoes might be our favourite.

Smooth and creamy mashed potatoes is total comfort food. It reminds me of being a kid and getting to mash the potatoes myself and then smothering them with gravy. I have spent the past 20 years perfecting this mashed potato and sharing all my tips here.

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Why should you try it?
Step by step
How to make perfect mashed potatoes
Mash potato add-ins
Best potatoes to use
Making them vegan
FAQs
More potato recipes
Recipe

Why should you try it?

A creamy and delicious side
Ready in just 30 minutes
Family friendly
Easy to adapt
Can be frozen

Step by step

One: Add the potatoes to a pan of boiling water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 13-15 minutes. The time depends on the size you have chopped the potatoes.

A saucepan containing chunks of chopped potatoes.

Two: Drain and mash the potatoes and then add the milk, butter and creme fraiche and season.

A saucepan containing mashed potato, butter and cream.

Three: Serve topped with chives and chopped spring onions (scallions); (optional)

A plate of mashed potato with herbs and green onions.

How to make perfect mashed potatoes

Fluffy, rich and velvety mashed potatoes is exactly what you will find here. But what is the secret? No secret, but plenty of butter! Sorry if you were looking for a healthy mashed potato recipe, as this is deliciously indulgent.

To get that rich and creamy flavour, we have used lashings of butter, and a dollop of creme fraiche too.

Mash potato add-ins

Add a punch of garlic by roasting a bulb of garlic first and then adding that to the mash.
If you want to add some extra fibre to this side, then you can mash them skin on.
Cream cheese (garlic, herb, or plain all work)
Fresh herbs (chives and parsley are nice and fresh, but woody herbs like thyme and rosemary are delicious too)
Onions: shallots, spring onions, brown onion. You can add these to the water when cooking, or just chop and mash in.
Olive oil: use this instead of butter for a creamy vegan mashed potato
Add some veg by cooking some cauliflower with the potatoes and mashing them together. This works with parsnip and carrot too.
Cheese and chopped cooked bacon - total comfort food
A spoonful of pesto in mashed potato is amazing.
Like things spicy? Add a spoonful of chipotle paste. It makes it a great colour too.
Add some greens with some finely chopped spinach.
A pinch of smoked paprika adds lots of flavour.
Another vegan way to make creamy potatoes is with hummus.
A spoonful of horseradish is another way to make it spicy.
For some Spanish flavour, add some chopped cooked chorizo.

Best potatoes to use

Floury and fluffy potatoes like Maris Piper and King Edwards are best for mashing. Desiree potatoes also make delicious creamy mash. You want to avoid waxy potatoes, as these are difficult to mash as they hold together well.

Making them vegan

Potatoes are naturally vegan, however the creamy additions we have used aren't. But there are still lots of ways to make creamy vegan mashed potatoes. You can add a splash of almond milk and a spoonful of plant based butter alternative. You can also use olive oil or hummus to make it creamy.

FAQs

What to do with leftover mashed potato.

It's not a problem we usually have in our house, as we can eat a lot of mashed potato. But, if you make too much, then the leftovers can be used to make mashed potato "cakes".
Simply mix the mashed potato with some cheese, eggs and milk and form in to patties. Fry them in a little oil for 3-4 minutes each side until nice and crispy.
The leftovers could be used as the topping for a pie, or you could make croquettes or gnocchi with it. Lots of options.

Can mashed potatoes be frozen?

Yes, mashed potato freezes really well. Of course it will always taste better fresh, but it is definitely freezeable. Once mashed and cooled down, put them in to freezer bags, flatten down and then lay flat in the freezer. You can keep it there for about 2 months. Defrost them at room temperature (this will take around 6 hours).
To reheat the mashed potato, put it in a pan with a little more milk and butter to stop it drying out and heat through, stiring regularly.

More potato recipes

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