Fluffy Make-Ahead Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Ultimate Comfort Side Dish 🥔✨

Do-Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe 🥔🍽️

Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Description:

Indulge in the creamy goodness of Do-Ahead Mashed Potatoes, a comforting dish perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or a festive gathering, this recipe promises fluffy, flavorful mashed potatoes that can be prepared in advance, allowing you to savor every moment with your loved ones.

Ingredients:

9 potatoes
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup margarine
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Instructions:

Scrub Potatoes: Begin by thoroughly scrubbing the potatoes to remove any dirt or debris.
Prepare Potatoes: You have the option to leave the skins on for added texture and nutrients, or peel them thinly, removing any eyes. Cut the potatoes into large pieces, ensuring they are relatively uniform in size for even cooking.
Boil Potatoes: In a 3-quart saucepan, bring about 1 inch of water to a boil. If desired, add salt to the water for extra flavor. Carefully add the potato pieces to the boiling water, then cover the saucepan and allow the potatoes to cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
Drain Potatoes: Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them thoroughly. You can gently shake the pan over low heat to help dry the potatoes slightly, ensuring a creamy consistency in your mashed potatoes.
Prepare Milk Mixture: In a separate 1-quart saucepan, combine the milk, butter, margarine, salt, and pepper. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is fully melted and the ingredients are well combined.
Mash Potatoes: Measure out 1/4 cup of the prepared milk mixture and set it aside in the refrigerator for later use. Gradually add the remaining milk mixture to the cooked potatoes in a medium-sized bowl, mashing them using a potato masher or an electric mixer after each addition. The amount of milk needed may vary depending on the type of potatoes used, so add it in small amounts until the desired consistency is achieved. Beat the potatoes vigorously until they are light and fluffy, ensuring there are no lumps.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Assemble Casserole: Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Spoon the mashed potatoes into the prepared casserole dish, spreading them evenly.
Chill or Bake: At this point, you have the option to bake the mashed potatoes immediately, or cover the casserole dish and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours, allowing you to prepare ahead for your meal.
Bake Potatoes: If refrigerated, remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator and pour the reserved milk mixture over the mashed potatoes. Bake the uncovered casserole in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are heated through and slightly golden on top.
Serve: Just before serving, give the mashed potatoes a gentle stir to ensure they are evenly heated and creamy.

Variation:

Garlic Lover’s Twist: For a flavorful variation, peel and finely chop 1 or 2 cloves of garlic and add them to the potatoes before mashing, infusing your dish with aromatic garlic goodness.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

Calories: 352.3
Fat Content: 18.1g
Saturated Fat Content: 11.3g
Cholesterol Content: 54.1mg
Sodium Content: 403.7mg
Carbohydrate Content: 43.4g
Fiber Content: 5.3g
Sugar Content: 1.9g
Protein Content: 6g

Keywords:

Vegetable, Canadian, Weeknight, Oven, Stove Top, Less than 4 Hours, Easy