Food and Recipes Side Dishes Potato Side Dishes Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese 4.7 (3) 2 Reviews Cream cheese and sour cream make these mashed potatoes ultra rich. By Southern Living Test Kitchen Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on October 30, 2023 Rate PRINT Share Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 5 mins Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Servings: 10 This easy make-ahead mashed potatoes recipe uses cream cheese and a container of sour cream to add flavor and create an extra-creamy texture. We love that this potato side dish can be made up to two days ahead and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake, making these mashed potatoes with cream cheese the perfect side dish for holiday entertaining or church potlucks. They're also great to prepare ahead on the weekends so on busy weeknights all you have to do is pop them in the oven. Just take them out of the refrigerator, and let them stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed. If you have it on hand, you can garnish with fresh parsley or paprika if desired for color and flavor. Learn how to make mashed potatoes with cream cheese and sour cream, and replace your tired old mashed potatoes recipe. Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living What Are the Best Potatoes To Use for Mashed Potatoes? When it comes to making mashed potatoes, choosing the right potato may be subjective. When it comes to the top choices, Russets are a starchy potato that easily soak up butter and other inclusions for pillowy, flavorful mashed potatoes every time. Less absorbent, Yukon Golds are less likely to become gummy if overworked, break down less easily for tender chunks (if that’s your preference), and are rich and buttery. Combined, the two can often be the perfect blend. Ingredients for Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese To make these mashed potatoes, you'll need: Baking potatoes: Russet or Yukon Gold are preferred. Cream cheese: Use full-fat for a rich, luxurious texture. Sour cream: Adds a subtle tanginess and creamy texture. Butter or margarine: Softened to work easily into the potatoes without overmixing. Milk: Adds moisture and helps thin the potatoes for a perfect consistency when baked. Onion salt: Seasons the mixture. Fresh parsley or paprika: Optional, for garnish. How To Make Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese Creamy and rich, these potatoes are formulated to bake up like a dream. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started: Step 1. Cook peeled, cubed potatoes in boiling water to cover until tender; drain and transfer to a large bowl.Step 2. Add next 5 ingredients; beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Spoon into a lightly greased baking dish.Step 3. Bake, covered, at 325°F for 50 minutes or until hot throughout. Garnish and serve. Secrets to Great Mashed Potatoes For mashed potatoes that will have everyone asking for your secret, keep these tips in mind: Peel the potatoes: For a smooth texture throughout.Chop evenly: For even cooking, potatoes should be roughly the same size.Don't overcook: Cook the potatoes just until tender, and drain thoroughly to avoid excess moisture.Use room temperature ingredients: To mix easily into the potatoes without overworking them.Don't overmix: Overmixed potatoes can become gummy.Season to taste: Add seasonings and flavorings as desired, to taste. How To Store and Reheat Leftover Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese Refrigerate leftover mashed potatoes well-wrapped for up to three days. Bring to room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes, then stir in an additional splash of milk if needed. Bake, covered, in a 350°F oven until hot throughout before serving. Ways To Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes Want to repurpose those leftover mashed potatoes into something new? Mashed potato cakes or fried mashed potato balls might be just the recipes you're looking for. You can also use them to top a shepherd's pie, turn them into a cheesy mashed potato bake, or even transform them into a loaf of bread. More Mashed Potato Recipes You'll Love When it comes to mashed potatoes, variety is the name of the game. Keep everyone happy with these flavorful recipes: Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes Mashed Potato Casserole Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes Rutabaga-Sweet Potato Swirl Caramelized Onion Mashed Potato Bake Bacon and Blue Mashed Potato Bake Tasty Tex-Mex Mashed Potato Bake Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse. Ingredients 5 lbs. baking potatoes 6 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 (8-oz.) container sour cream 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1/2 cup milk 2 tsp. onion salt Paprika or chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional) Directions Prepare oven and baking dish: Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 13- x 9-inch or 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Peel and cut potatoes: Peel potatoes, and cut into 1-inch cubes. Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living Boil potatoes: Cook in a medium saucepan in boiling water to cover 15 to 20 minutes or until tender; drain and place into a large mixing bowl. Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living Blend potatoes and cream cheese: Add cream cheese and next 4 ingredients; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy (do not overbeat). Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living Add potatoes to baking dish: Spoon into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch or 3-quart baking dish. Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living Bake mashed potatoes: Bake, covered, at 325°F for 50 minutes or until thoroughly heated; garnish, if desired. Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living Unbaked mashed potatoes may be chilled up to 2 days. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes, and bake as directed. Frequently Asked Questions What else can I add to mashed potatoes with cream cheese? Ramp up the flavor of these mashed potatoes by adding shredded cheese, herbs, cayenne pepper, or other spices to the mix before baking. Why are my mashed potatoes gummy? The more potatoes are worked, the more starch is released and the gummier they become. Be sure to beat only until the ingredients are combined for the fluffiest mashed potatoes. Why put potatoes in cold water for mashed potatoes? For the most even cooking, start potatoes in cold water and bring to a boil. This will ensure that the inside and outside of the potatoes cook at an even rate. Rate It Print Additional reporting by Katie Rosenhouse Katie Rosenhouse Follow us Katie Rosenhouse is a pastry chef and food writer with over 15 years of experience in the culinary arts. She's worked as a pastry chef in some of the finest restaurants in New York City, as a culinary instructor, and as a recipe developer. learn more