Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Steakhouse style Mashed potatoes with cream cheese and ham are about the creamiest, tastiest, and easiest way to make a no fail mashed potatoes recipe for the crowd. Creamy, dreamy, and deliciously amazing.
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 394kcal
Equipment
- potato masher
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs potatoes russets are most common, buy can use Yukon golds as well
- 1/2 cup butter
- 4 oz cream cheese cubed
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 cup chopped ham optional
- chopped green onions optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and cube 2.5 lbs of your chosen potatoes. We recommend Russets. Place them in a saucepan with cold water, ensuring the water level is 1" above the potatoes. This helps in cooking them evenly.
- Boil: Heat the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Cook for 20-30 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and tender. Tip: Smaller cubes reduce cooking time!
- Mash: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pan. Add in 1/2 cup of butter and mash. I find that a manual potato masher works best as it allows you to achieve the perfect texture—fluffy yet slightly chunky.
- Creamy Mix: Stir in 4 oz of cubed cream cheese until well melted and mixed. Then, gradually add 1/2 cup of half-and-half to reach your desired consistency.
- Flavorful Add-ins: Mix in 1 cup of chopped ham (if using to create Steakhouse mashed potatoes) along with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
- Serve: Top your creamy mashed potatoes with chopped green onions if you like.
Notes
- How can I store leftovers? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of milk or half and half if needed to bring back moisture.
- Choosing Potatoes: The type of potato matters! Russets give you that classic fluffy texture, while Yukon Golds add a buttery richness.
- Boiling Tips: The size of your potato cubes can affect cooking time. Smaller pieces cook faster, saving you time!
- Mix-ins: Feel free to customize with other ingredients like minced garlic, fresh chives, or shredded cheddar cheese for a personal recipe.
- Mashing Caution: Avoid electric mixers to prevent overworking the potatoes, which can result in a gooey texture. In our experience, a manual masher keeps the texture perfect!
Nutrition
Serving: 1.25cups | Calories: 394kcal | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Potassium: 64mg | Vitamin C: 1mg