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A dish with mashed potatoes and gravy on it.

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 655kcal
Author: Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie
Prep, mash, and mix your potatoes ahead of time, so you can have creamy and delicious mashed potatoes ready for Thanksgiving with ease!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Equipment

  • 8x8-inch Baking Pan

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter room temperature and divided (1½ sticks)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature (1 brick)
  • ½ cup half-and-half or whole milk
  • ½-1 teaspoon seasoned salt or kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried chives optional

Instructions

  • Spray a 2-quart casserole with cooking spray and set aside for now.
  • Peel the potatoes, remove any eyes, and cut them into 3-inch cubes.
    5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
  • Steam (or boil) the potatoes just until fork tender, but not falling apart, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Drain the water and place the potatoes in a saucepan; mash the potatoes for one minute over medium-low heat to remove the excess moisture/steam from the potatoes. Remove potatoes from heat.
    Mashed potatoes in a pot on a white background.
  • If the saucepan is large enough, leave the potatoes in the pan, and add ½ cup of butter, cream cheese, half-and-half, and seasonings. (If the saucepan is too small, place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl to mash.) Mash the potatoes until they are light and fluffy. Season to taste.
    ¾ cup unsalted butter, 8 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup half-and-half, ½-1 teaspoon seasoned salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried chives
    Mashed potatoes in a metal bowl.
  • Spoon potatoes into the casserole dish and bake immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
    Mashed potatoes in a white dish on a table.
  • When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Cut the remaining ¼ cup butter into smaller pieces and scatter them around the top of the potatoes.
    Mashed potatoes with cubes of butter in a white dish.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes or until potatoes are hot.
    A dish of mashed potatoes on a plate.

Video

Notes

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman.
  • This dish can be made up to two days in advance. If making the potatoes ahead, remove them from the fridge 2-3 hours before cooking. Add an additional 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Storage: Once baked, store these mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 655kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 351mg | Potassium: 1689mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1577IU | Vitamin C: 77mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 3mg