Description
This Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe offers a smooth, rich, and comforting side dish made from tender russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. Enhanced with butter, milk, and optional sour cream, it creates a perfectly creamy texture ideal for any meal. Simple to make in about 30 minutes, it’s a classic favorite garnishable with fresh herbs for added flavor and presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 2 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
Dairy and Fat
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Garnish
- Fresh chives or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Place the peeled and chopped potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Add a pinch of salt to the water to season the potatoes as they cook.
- Boil Potatoes: Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer the potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are fork-tender and easily pierced.
- Drain Potatoes: Carefully drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the empty pot to prepare for mashing.
- Mash Potatoes: Add the cubed butter, milk or cream, salt, and black pepper to the potatoes. Using a potato masher or hand mixer, mash the mixture until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Enhance Creaminess: Stir in sour cream if desired to increase richness and adjust texture. Add additional milk or cream as needed to achieve preferred consistency.
- Season to Taste: Taste the mashed potatoes and adjust seasoning with extra salt and black pepper as necessary to suit your palate.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped chives or parsley on top for garnish and serve the mashed potatoes warm, ready to complement your meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor and creamier texture, substitute milk with heavy cream.
- Sour cream is optional but adds a nice tang and luxuriously creamy texture.
- Use a hand mixer for ultra-smooth potatoes, or a traditional masher for a chunkier texture.
- Russet potatoes yield fluffier mash, while Yukon Gold produces a creamier, buttery taste.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like chives or parsley for color and subtle fresh notes.
