Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Ever wonder why mashed potatoes at steakhouses taste so divine? The secret to the best mashed potatoes? It’s cream cheese! Our Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, also known as “steakhouse potatoes,” are the epitome of creamy potato indulgence.

Each forkful is a melt-in-your-mouth experience, thanks to a blend of potatoes, rich butter, and smooth cream cheese. We show you why cream cheese is the secret ingredient in our homemade recipe.

The secret to steakhouse-mashed potatoes

Seasoned to perfection with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper and garnished with green onions, these mashed potatoes are anything but ordinary. We like to add in some chopped ham for an extra layer of flavor, but either way, you’ve got a side dish that turns any mashed potatoes recipe into the BEST mashed potatoes recipe.

Cream cheese also helps the mashed potatoes maintain a smooth consistency, making them more luxurious compared to using milk or butter alone.

Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Our favorite way to enjoy fresh homemade creamy mash.

Ingredients

• Fresh potatoes* see below what potatoes we recommend
• Dairy: Butter, Cream cheese, Half and half
• Seasonings: salt, garlic powder, black pepper
• Chopped green onions
• Chopped ham (optional)

How to make Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Prepare potatoes: Peel and cube 2.5 lbs of fresh potatoes. Place them in a saucepan, covering them with cold water 1 inch above the potatoes.

Cook potatoes: Heat the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil. Continue boiling for 20–30 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Drain and Mash: Once the potatoes are done, carefully drain the water and return the cooked potatoes to the pan. Add in 1/2 cup of butter and mash the potatoes until smooth.

Add Creaminess: Stir in 4 oz of cubed cream cheese until it’s fully melted, and mix well into the potatoes.

Mix in Flavors: Gradually add 1/2 cup of half and half, stirring continuously. Then, stir in 1 cup of chopped ham (optional), 1 teaspoon of salt, one teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.

Serve: Once everything is well mixed and heated through, serve the mashed potatoes while still hot, garnished with chopped green onions.

Best Potatoes for Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Choosing the right type of potato is key to achieving the perfect mashed potatoes.

Here are what we deem to be the best variety based on what type of recipe you are making.

• Russet Potatoes: Ideal for traditional mashed potatoes, russets break down easily and absorb flavors well, resulting in a fluffy and light texture. We also use Russets in recipes like Alfredo Potatoes.
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: These potatoes offer a naturally creamy texture and a rich, buttery taste, making your mashed potatoes extra flavorful and smooth. Yukons are my favorite for crockpot green beans and potatoes as well.
• Red Potatoes: With their waxy texture and ability to hold their shape, red potatoes are great for a heartier mash with skins included, offering a bit of sweetness. You use these most often in Smashed Potato recipes.

How long to Boil Fresh Potatoes?

Here is a short guide on how long to boil potatoes. If you’re pressed for time, I recommend chopping the potatoes into smaller pieces to speed up the cooking process.

• Whole Potatoes: 30–40 minutes
• Large Pieces: 20–30 minutes
• Small Cubes: 15-20 minutes

What to Put in Homemade Mashed Potatoes.

While ham is my go-to for adding a savory touch to steakhouse potatoes, especially as a tasty way to repurpose holiday leftovers, there are plenty of other options.

Our Expert Recommended Mix-Ins: Minced Garlic, Fresh Chives, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Fresh Bacon Pieces, or a Packet of Ranch Seasoning.

Why we Recommend Potato Masher for best texture

When it comes to creating the perfect mashed potatoes, the method you choose for mashing can change the texture and quality.

The Importance of Using a Manual Potato Masher

• Consistency: A traditional hand-held masher allows you to control the consistency more easily, helping you achieve that fluffy or slightly chunky texture, depending on your preference.
• Gentleness: Over-mashing can lead to the potatoes releasing too much starch, resulting in a gluey potatoes that are inedible.

We use one of these and you can buy one at Walmart or Amazon pretty cheap.

Caution with Electric Mixers for Homemade Mashed Potatoes

While electric mixers can speed up the process and ensure smooth consistency, they also come with the risk of overmixing.

• I have done it before and ruined an entire batch of holiday-mashed potatoes. It did not make me popular that year.

The high speed of an electric mixer can quickly break down the potato’s structure, releasing an excess of starch and lead to gooey, gluey mashed potatoes.

Trust me – you will know if you have done it.

Side Dishes to Serve with Creamy Mashed Potatoes

When serving potatoes of any kind, we recommend a vegetable side dish that can add to the color and nutrition of the dish.

No one likes a brown plate.

Try Parmesan Roasted Carrots , our readers highly rated for ease Green Bean recipe, or Roasted Asparagus for a well rounded plate. See other choices below. Love potato side dishes? Browse all of our Best Potato Recipes →