Go Back
–+ servings
A dish with mashed potatoes and gravy on it.
Print Recipe
4.33 from 34 votes

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe

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.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Author: Becky Hardin

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