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    Home » Side Dishes » Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    Published: Sep 27, 2021 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links, which means we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    mashed potatoes in white bowl with spoon.
    mashed potatoes in silver oval gratin dish.
    mashed potatoes in bowl with spoon.

    Hosting a big dinner or just want to get prep work done ahead of time? These creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes can be reheated in the slow cooker or oven making dinner a snap. It's the only mashed potato recipe you need!

    Slow cooker filled with mashed potatoes with melted butter on top. Salt and pepper shakers on side on white board. this recipe

    The biggest timesaver you can have for your Thanksgiving meal (and many events, holidays and even weeknight dinners) are these Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes.

    That's right, make the mashed potatoes the day before and reheat them in your slow cooker, which leaves your oven open for the rest of the feast's goodies.

    And if you don't need the extra space in your oven, simply reheat them in the oven in a baking dish. But it's always nice to have the work done ahead of time.

    After all, you can never have enough time. Am I right?

    Jump to:
    • Why this Mashed Potato recipe is unique
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Expert Tips for the best mashed potatoes
    • More side dishes
    • Recipe

    Why this Mashed Potato recipe is unique

    • Uses a combination of Yukon gold and russet potatoes to get the best, fluffy mashed potatoes!
    • Use a potato ricer to get smooth and creamy mashed potatoes easily.
    • Make them the day before serving to minimize prep and clean up the day of your meal.
    • Reheat in the slow cooker to free up precious oven space.
    Mashed potato in a stainless steel oval baking dish with melted butter, salt and pepper on top.

    Ingredients

    Mashed potatoes are made with just a handful of ingredients that are easy to keep on hand.

    potatoes, sour cream, butter, cream cheese on white board

    Ingredient Notes:

    • We used a combination of Yukon Gold and Russet potatoes, but feel free to use just one if you desire.
    • Room temperature cream cheese and sour cream make your potatoes really creamy!

    Instructions

    My favorite part of these mashed potatoes is that I can have them completely done ahead of time. Pans washed, potatoes mashed and all ready for the big day. Anything that makes dinner easy is a huge win in my book.

    Cubed potatoes in a pot of water.

    Peel and cube potatoes so they are all the same size. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Cook.

    Cooked potatoes drained in a colander.

    Strain potatoes in colander. Place potatoes back in pan and put over heat for 30 seconds to get rid of all of the water.

    Cooked potatoes being riced into bowl with sour cream and cream cheese.

    Rice potatoes into a large bowl. Add cream cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper.

    Mashed potatoes in glass bowl with spoon and in casserole dish with butter pats on top.

    Stir potatoes until smooth, but be careful not to over mix. Place potatoes in greased baking dish, top with two pats of butter, cover and refrigerate until baking time.

    Mashed potatoes in white bowl with melted butter on top.

    FAQs

    What are the best potatoes to use for mashed potatoes?


    There is a lot of discussion out there about which potatoes make the best mashed potatoes. I love to mix it up and use both Yukon Gold and Russet potatoes for my mashed potatoes.

    The Yukon Golds add a creamy buttery texture and the Russets are high in starch making them light and fluffy. Combining the two of them together gives you the best of both worlds. Who doesn't love getting everything they want in the same delicious bite?

    What is the best way to reheat mashed potatoes?


    You have a couple options here: You can reheat them in the oven, use a slow cooker or in a pinch, pop them in the microwave.

    How do you avoid gluey mashed potatoes?


    Room temperature ingredients will blend into the potatoes faster so you won't over mix your potatoes. Over mixing = gluey potatoes.

    Mashed potatoes in a silver baking dish garnished with freshly ground pepper and melted butter.

    Expert Tips for the best mashed potatoes

    Use these easy tips to make craveable mashed potatoes every single time.

    1. Cube the potatoes so they are the same size. Potatoes that are cut into small cubes work best for this recipe because they will cook evenly.
    2. Do not overcook your potatoes. Boil them for 9-10 minutes or until a fork goes into them easily. If you cook them too long you will end up with mushy potatoes.
    3. Drain them well! This is a BIG one. Drain, drain, drain and then pop them back in the pan and place on stove for 1 minute to get all of the excess water out of them. This critical step gives you fluffy potatoes!
    4. Invest in a potato ricer - This is the MOST important tip of all. One of my ALL time favorite kitchen gadgets is this potato ricer. The triangular shape makes ricing the cooked potatoes a snap and nothing gets stuck in the corners. (Amazon Affiliate Link)

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      Homemade Stuffing Recipe
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      Easy Yeast Rolls for Beginners
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      Oven Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes

    Change up your menu and add these Easy Air Fryer Asian Green Beans!

    Find all of our side dish recipes in our archives.

    
    
    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 
    
    Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers! 
    
    
    

    Recipe

    make ahead mashed potatoes in white bowl with melted butter.

    Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    Garnish With Lemon
    Creamy mashed potatoes that are made the day before and reheated in the oven, slow cooker or microwave. This is the only mashed potato recipe you need!
    4.70 from 85 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Additional Time 1 d
    Total Time 1 d 1 hr
    Course Side Dishes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 420 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Potato Ricer
    • Colander
    • 8x8" Baking Dish

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed (Yukon Gold + Russet mix)
    • 6 ounces room temperature cream cheese, light or full fat
    • 1 cup room temperature sour cream, light or full fat
    • salt and pepper
    • 2 tablespoons butter

    Instructions
     

    • Place potatoes in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender but still firm, about 9 minutes once the water starts to boil. Drain potatoes and then return to pan. Place pan on heat to get the last drops of water out.
      3 pounds potatoes,
    • Working in batches, scoop potatoes into ricer and rice into a large bowl. Add room temperature cream cheese and sour cream. Stir until just combined. Season with salt and pepper. Stir. (Be careful to not over mix or they will become gluey.)
      6 ounces room temperature cream cheese,, 1 cup room temperature sour cream,, salt and pepper
    • Place potatoes in a greased baking dish with two pats of butter in top. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
      2 tablespoons butter
    • One hour before baking, remove potatoes from refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
    • Bake in preheated 350°F degree oven for 30-45 minutes or until warmed through.

    Notes

    • Cube the potatoes so they are the same size. Potatoes that are cut into small cubes work best for this recipe because they will cook evenly.
    • Do not overcook your potatoes. Boil them for 9-10 minutes or until a fork goes into them easily. If you cook them too long you will end up with mushy potatoes.
    • Drain them well! Drain, drain, drain and then pop them back in the pan and place on stove for 1 minute to get all of the excess water out of them. This critical step gives you fluffy potatoes!
    • Invest in a potato ricer. This is the MOST important tip of all. One of my ALL time favorite kitchen gadgets is this potato ricer. The triangular shape makes ricing the cooked potatoes a snap and nothing gets stuck in the corners.
    Options for reheating:
    1.  Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. If your potatoes have been in the refrigerator, let them sit out for 60 minutes before you pop them in the oven as it will cut down on your baking time. Leave them in the oven until they are warmed through, about 30 minutes (or more depending on if your oven is full of other dishes that need to be cooked).
    2. Slow Cooker or Crock Pot: I love to use my slow cooker to reheat these, especially with big holiday dinners. Simply heat them on high for one hour or low for 2-3. Stir occasionally so the bottom doesn't burn.
    3.  Microwave: I'll use the microwave to reheat these in a pinch. Pop them in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and then stir. Repeat the process until heated through. Be careful when you touch the bowl, it will be hot!

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 8gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 203mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
    « Spiced Pumpkin Dip
    Cream Cheese Apple Dip »

    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tina says

      December 12, 2021 at 6:46 am

      Can this dish be frozen, defrosted tgen reheated as per your preheat instructions?

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        December 13, 2021 at 1:20 pm

        I have never done that but would think it would work. If you try it please let me know how it turns out!

        Reply
    2. Joy says

      November 24, 2021 at 4:49 pm

      Do i have to use a ricer

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        November 26, 2021 at 7:35 am

        Hi Joy- No, you don’t have to use a ricer. I always do because it is easier hut you don’t have to!

        Reply
    3. Lotetta says

      November 25, 2020 at 10:10 am

      Instead of sour cream. How much more butter can I use ?

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        November 25, 2020 at 10:21 am

        I haven’t tried them without the sour cream but I would start with 1/4 cup of butter and add more as necessary.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

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