Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

This recipe for make-ahead mashed potatoes will feed a crowd, perfect for your next holiday gathering.  

This recipe for mashed potatoes is perfect for busy holidays or those times when you are feeding a crowd and you don't want to be stuck in the kitchen mashing potatoes for a large crowd at the last minute. 

Usually, the most stressful time for the host at holiday dinners is right before dinner is served. Between slicing the turkey and making the gravy, mashing potatoes at the last minute is pretty stressful and labor intensive, especially during the high wire act of trying to get multiple dishes on the table. 

Bring on the serenity. These make-ahead mashed potatoes will help allay all (or most) of that stress. This is my "go-to" mashed potato recipe. 

Add make-ahead turkey gravy to your menu for even more convenience. The more you can make ahead, the better. 

Plus, you'd probably rather hang out with your family and friends. 

What you'll need:

To feed 15 to 20 people, you'll need about six pounds of russet potatoes. 

Additional ingredients include a brick of cream cheese, sour cream, and lots of butter. The cream cheese and sour cream add sort of a "twice baked potato" flavor. In my mind that's a good thing.

You'll also need garlic salt and pepper, along with paprika for topping before baking. I also toss a few chives into the mixture before baking. 

Tips for Great Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes:

1. Drain the boiled potatoes well before mashing them. After returning them to the pan, I like to return the pan to the stove and let any extra water evaporate by heating the pan for a minute or two over medium heat. 

2. Use a potato ricer or potato masher to mash the potatoes. If you use the masher, don't worry too much about lumps as they seem to dissappear during the second bake. 

3. Make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened before mixing them into the potatoes. 

4. I like to use a 13 inch by 9 inch cast iron casserole, or if I halve the recipe, a 9" square cast iron casserole because the cast iron retains heat after baking, keeping the potatoes piping hot. A ceramic, Pyrex, or even a foil pan are also fine for baking these potatoes. 

5. The potatoes can be made up to three days in advance and refrigerated. They also can be frozen for up to two weeks. In a pinch, especially if you only have one oven, they can be partially cooked in a microwave (if your pan is microwave safe), and then finished in the oven once you've removed the Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas roast.

6. For taking these potatoes to a potluck, the insulated Rachel Ray casserole carrier is wonderful for keeping them warm. I read about it in one of the America's Test Kitchen magazines, impulsively bought it, and I've used it way more than I expected. It is great for potlucks at work too. 

Some of my favorite holiday side dishes:

Creamed Lima Beans with Bacon

Cheesy Corn Casserole

Balsamic and Ginger Glazed Carrots

Roasted Cipollini Onions

Corn Soufflé

More Holiday Side Dish Recipes from Favorite Food Blogs:

• Beet Mashed Potatoes from The Spiffy Cookie
• Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Oyster Chowder from Art of Natural Living
• Root Vegetable Gratin from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Vegetarian Stuffing from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Whiskey Glazed Carrots from Palatable Pastime

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Yield: 16

Author: Karen's Kitchen Stories

Prep time: 1 HourCook time: 1 HourTotal time: 2 Hour

This recipe for make-ahead mashed potatoes will feed a crowd at your next holiday gathering.

Ingredients

• 5 1/2 to 6 pounds of russet potatoes
• 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened and cut into one-inch cubes
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 1 stick of butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt, plus more to taste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
• 2 to 3 teaspoons finely chopped scallions or chives - optional - plus more for garnish
• paprika - optional - for sprinkling over the top

Instructions

1. Peel and cut the potatoes into approximately 2 inch chunks.
2. Just cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil.
3. Simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the pieces can be pierced easily with a fork, but not falling apart.
4. Drain into a colander and return the potatoes to the pan.
5. Mash the potatoes with a masher in the pan.
6. Add the cream cheese, sour cream, half of the butter, garlic salt, and pepper.
7. Mash with a masher or mix with a large wooden spoon until fully incorporated.
8. Mix in optional scallions or chives.
9. Place the potatoes into a buttered 3 quart casserole and dot the top with the rest of the butter.
10. Sprinkle with paprika.
11. At this point, the dish can be refrigerated up to three days, or frozen prior to baking
12. Bring to room temperature and bake, covered, in a 375 degree F oven for 50 to 60 minutes.
13. Garnish with extra chives or green onions if you like.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

254

Fat (grams)

14 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

8 g

Carbs (grams)

30 g

Fiber (grams)

2 g

Net carbs

28 g

Sugar (grams)

2 g

Protein (grams)

5 g

Cholesterol (grams)

38 mg

https://www.karenskitchenstories.com/2012/11/make-ahead-mashed-potatoes.html

Karen's Kitchen Stories

mashed potatoes, make ahead

side dish

American

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @karenskitchenstories.com on instagram and hashtag it #karenskitchenstories

How to stay up to date with Karen's Kitchen Stories? 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook. Do you like taking photos of the food you make? You can also join my Facebook food photo sharing group (you don't have to be a blogger).

While you’re here please take a minute to follow me on Pinterest. I’m always pinning great recipes from fellow bloggers.

Check out my Amazon Store for some of my kitchen toys. 

Finally, please follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date on all the latest and greatest blog recipes.

Originally published 11/2012. Updated 11/2023.