Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

We don't shy away from a good block of cream cheese, and that even applies to mashed potatoes. Mashing the warm potatoes with softened cream cheese makes the final product unbelievably rich and creamy. Adding cream to fluffy whipped potatoes is certainly not a new technique. Mashed potatoes are always blessed with a hearty helping of butter, cream, milk, half and half, or some sort of combination. Adding cream cheese is essentially the same thing. The high fat content in the cream cheese will meld with the butter and milk to make the potatoes perfectly fluffy and creamy. Serve these in a holiday dinner spread or on a weeknight alongside oven-baked pork chops.

What kind of potatoes are best for mashed potatoes?

For the fluffiest mashed potato possible, opt for starchy, floury russet potatoes over a waxy red or golden potato.

Can I cook potatoes starting in hot water?

Nope! For the potatoes to cook evenly, it's best to start them off in cold water and let the water heat up around the potatoes.

Can I substitute sour cream for cream cheese?
Definitely! It will be tangier than if you use cream, but it will be equally delicious. You can also use mascarpone, Neufchâtel, of even plain full-fat Greek yogurt make great swaps for cream cheese.

What herbs can I use in mashed potatoes?

Chives are a classic pairing for mashed potatoes, but you're free to flavor how you want. For hard herbs like thyme or rosemary, toss a few sprigs into the milk while it heats to infuse some of the flavors into the mashed potatoes. For tender herbs like chopped parsley or dill, sprinkle it on top before serving.

These are already some of the easiest mashed potatoes to make, but if you need the extra stove space, Crock-Pot Garlicky Mashed Potatoes are here to save the day. 

Have you made this yet? Let us know how it went in the comments below! 

Editor's Note: The introduction to this recipe was updated on September 19, 2022, to include more information about the dish and a video.