I think that everyone who makes mashed potatoes has a favorite recipe that they return to again and again. Cream cheese mashed potatoes made with yellow potatoes is my family’s favorite and I think it will be yours as well! Creamy, smooth, buttery, and delicious. This is the only mashed potato recipe you will ever need.
Which isn’t to say I don’t make other mashed potato recipes, since I can never resist the lure of trying something new in the kitchen! There is something to be said, however, for a recipe that you know everyone loves and that you can depend on to be just right every time.
It’s also the recipe I made over and over again when I was trying to figure out how to make Loaded Mashed Potato Waffles.
And failing to make mashed potato waffles every time.
Guess what?
It turns out that my favorite mashed potato recipe for eating does not work for waffles! š Use some cream and butter for mashed potatoes on their way to waffles. However, we hardly ever have any left over and certainly not enough to justify pulling out the waffle maker, so it’s not an issue around here, and cream cheese mashed potatoes can keep their place of honor at our table.
While you can make the recipe with white potatoes or with russet potatoes, I vastly prefer the yellow potatoes. They have just the right balance of waxiness and flouriness to be creamy, but not heavy. And of course they add their buttery flavor to mix, which I always love!
Next up is the cream cheese. We like to add a fair amount of cream cheese to the recipe, enough to make them smooth and soft and little tangy. Yum!
Last is a little cream. I use heavy cream since I only need to add a little to get the flavor I want. I don’t like soupy mashed potatoes, so cream it is!
For mashing, while I do occasionally use a potato ricer, I usually use my Cuisipro Potato Masher. I love the short handle, which is easy to grip and push down, and the wide base for mashing makes short work of the potatoes. It’s also very study and all metal. I’ve had mine for many years and I wouldn’t part with it.
If you try my recipe for Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, I would love to hear from you in the comments with your experience and rating! And Iām happy to answer any questions you might have.
– Happy Eating, Annemarie
Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs yellow potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1 inch dice
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 oz heavy cream
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water.
- Add potatoes and kosher salt.
- Turn heat to high and bring the pot to a boil. Then lower the heat to a simmer and cook the potatoes for 12-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are easily pierced by a fork.
- Drain potatoes and put them back in the pot over the heat. Cook off some of the water in the potatoes, 2-3 minutes over medium while stirring.
- Move the pot to a hot pad on the counter.
- Add cream cheese and cream and mash the potatoes until smooth. If they are a little dry, add another splash (about 1 tablespoon) of cream.
- Taste and add more salt if needed. Serve.
Notes
- Cream Cheese Substitution: Feel free to use neufchatel cheese in place of cream cheese in the recipe. The texture and flavor are pretty much the same with either cheese.
- Waffles: Do not use these mashed potatoes to make Mashed Potato Waffles. Cream cheese and waffle makers do not mix.
- Equipment: I have the Cuisipro Potato Masher.
Marsha says
Cream cheese mashed potatoes are my favourite! Yum!
justalittlebitofbacon says
Thanks for the comment! š
Maria says
My husband loves loves mashed potatoes so we made them at Thanksgiving. he would love this recipe any other day too.
justalittlebitofbacon says
We don’t have them every week, but we definitely have them on other days too! (Always for Thanksgiving though.)
Peter says
I totally agree with you. I have tried a number of different mashed potato recipes and using cream cheese is right at the top.
justalittlebitofbacon says
At this point my daughter checks for cream cheese first when I say we are having mashed potatoes. And I don’t blame her. š
Suzie Hinaon says
My favourite with Lamb shank…making that tonight for dinner. The lamb is in the oven:)
justalittlebitofbacon says
Awesome! Enjoy your lamb and mashed potatoes. š
Lisa says
This looks so good. I’ll be the cream cheese sends it over the moon!
justalittlebitofbacon says
Thanks! Yep, it’s the cream cheese that makes these so wonderful. š
Lucy says
These look so indulgent and delicious! I’m imagining them with spring lamb chops on top. Mmmm.
justalittlebitofbacon says
Now I am too! I may need some lamb chops soon. š