Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese

5.0
(3)
3 Reviews

Replace your traditional recipe with these mashed potatoes, and you'll never go back.

By
Stacey Ballis
Stacey Ballis
Stacey Ballis
Stacey Ballis is a freelance consultant, author, and journalist in the culinary sphere. She is the author of ten novels and a digital cookbook. Her food writings, product reviews, chef profiles, and recipes have appeared in over twenty print and digital outlets. Stacey is a writer and recipe developer for Southern Living.
Southern Living's editorial guidelines
Published on March 30, 2023
Southern Living Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese in a serving bowl
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
55 mins
Servings:
12

When it comes to mashed potatoes, while it can be fun to experiment with add-ins and toppings—or sneak in different root vegetables, or bring in some fun new spices—sometimes you just want that classic creamy mash, one that is smooth and comforting and super simple to prepare.

This is that mashed potato recipe, made a bit more decadent by replacing the usual milk or cream with cream cheese and sour cream. These ingredients provide a bit of tang and a texture that is velvety and rich.

You can mash by hand if you want the potatoes more rustic, or use a ricer for a smoother, puree-style mash. This version brings chives to the party, but you could use parsley or chervil or none at all.

Ingredients

  • 5 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into one-inch chunks

  • 2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. Kosher salt

  • 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into cubes and at room temperature

  • 4 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

  • 1/2 cup sour cream

  • 1/4 cup minced chives or sliced scallion greens, plus more for garnish

  • 3/4 tsp. ground white pepper

Directions

  1. Cook cubed potatoes:

    To start, gather your ingredients and set them up so they're easy to reach when you're cooking.

    Southern Living Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese ingredients

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Place cubed potatoes in a large pot, and cover by one inch with cold water. Add 2 Tbsp. kosher salt to the water; stir to dissolve.

    Southern Living Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese potatoes in the pot covered with water

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Bring water to boil over medium-high heat, and cook until potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes.

    Southern Living Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese cooked potatoes in the pot

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Drain potatoes, mash:

    Drain the potatoes, and return them to the pot. Cook over low heat 1 to 2 minutes, until they have dried out. 

    Southern Living Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese potatoes back in the pot after draining

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


    Put the butter and cream cheese in the bottom of a large bowl.

    Southern Living Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese butter and cream cheese in a bowl

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Transfer the potatoes to the bowl with the cubed butter and cream cheese, and mash with an electric mixer on medium low speed until smooth. (If you like a chunkier mash, you can also mash by hand).

    Southern Living Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese potatoes mashed in a bowl

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Once the butter and cream cheese are fully incorporated, fold in the sour cream.

    Southern Living Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese folding in the sour cream

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Add minced chives, remaining 2 tsp. salt, and pepper.

    Southern Living Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese adding the chives and salt and pepper

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    If desired, place a couple pats of butter on top of the potatoes to melt before serving. 

    Southern Living Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese finished in the mixing bowl

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox


    If not serving immediately, transfer to an oven-safe dish and place in a 200°F oven, or to a slow cooker set to WARM. Garnish with additional chives, if using.

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