Make Your Mashed Potato Recipe Ahead of Time

Streamline your holiday meal prep with this creamy and satisfying Make-Ahead Mashed Potato Recipe—perfect for stress-free entertaining! Featuring fluffy russet potatoes blended with rich cream cheese, heavy cream, and buttery goodness, these mashed potatoes are as indulgent as they are practical. This recipe allows you to prepare everything up to two days in advance, making it an ideal choice for busy gatherings. Simply bake the prepared dish in the oven before serving to achieve perfectly warm, velvety potatoes every time. Optional add-ins like garlic powder and fresh chives offer customizable flavor, while the make-ahead feature cuts down on last-minute kitchen chaos. Perfect for feeding a crowd, this comforting side dish pairs beautifully with everything from roast turkey to hearty stews.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 pounds russet potatoes
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Peel the russet potatoes and cut them into evenly sized chunks, about 2 inches in diameter.

Step 2

Place the potato chunks into a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water.

Step 3

Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium. Simmer the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.

Step 4

While the potatoes are cooking, in a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the cream cheese and heavy cream, stirring until the mixture is smooth and warm. Set aside.

Step 5

Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Place the pot back on the stove over low heat for 1-2 minutes to evaporate any extra moisture.

Step 6

Mash the potatoes using a potato masher or ricer until they reach your desired consistency.

Step 7

Gradually add the butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream mixture to the mashed potatoes, mixing until fully incorporated and creamy.

Step 8

Season the mashed potatoes with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, if desired. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 9

Transfer the mashed potatoes to an oven-safe dish and let them cool completely. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Step 10

When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the foil or plastic wrap and bake the mashed potatoes for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through.

Step 11

Sprinkle freshly chopped chives on top before serving, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2269.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3578.4

Total Fat 191.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 112.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 540.5mg	0%
Sodium 5420.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 406.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.0g	0%
Total Sugars 25.3g
Protein 60.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 413.6mg	0%
Iron 21.6mg	0%
Potassium 10366.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.9%

Protein: 6.7%

Carbs: 45.3%