Cheesy Mashed Potatoes With Roasted Nuts

The perfect side dish for the holidays, this recipe for Cheesy Mashed Potatoes uses cream cheese and mozzarella for the easiest, creamiest and cheesiest results. 

Honestly, who doesn’t love Cheesy Mashed Potatoes? The humble potato is a crowd pleaser in any form, but when mashed and mixed with milk it instantly becomes the star of any dinner. Add cream cheese and mozzarella and you have yourself a mega hit. Whether you’re making this for a weeknight dinner like our favorite Lemon Chicken Wings or a holiday celebration, it’ll be the most popular dish on the table.

How to Make

Mashed potatoes are super easy to make and require very little active cooking. First, you’ll need to boil the potatoes. Although there are multiple ways to do this, I find that it’s best to boil them whole rather than cut into pieces. The potatoes cook more evenly when whole, which results in a smoother texture in your mashed potatoes. You can also choose to peel the potatoes before boiling or after. Either works and this is completely up to personal preference.

When you boil the potatoes, you can also add cauliflower and mash it together with the potatoes once they’re cooked. Or try adding a few peeled garlic cloves to make cheesy garlic mashed potatoes.

Which Cheese?

My cheesy mashed potato recipe is a little unusual because it does not use butter. Instead it utilizes two types of cheese for an extra creamy texture: cream cheese and mozzarella. Make sure the potatoes are still hot when you add the cheese. This will ensure that the cheese melts and fully incorporates. In the same vein, it’s important that the milk is warm when added. The warmed milk will stop the potatoes from getting cold and will make for a smoother texture.

Another great twist to this recipe is the topping. Crumbled walnuts are sautéed in olive oil until fragrant and sprinkled on top of the finished dish. Toppings add a visually appealing touch as well as great flavor and crunch. If you want to go the extra mile, try adding cooked, chopped bacon to the nuts before sprinkling over the potatoes.

How To Store

Mashed potatoes will keep in an airtight container in the fridge, for up to three days. I recommend stirring in an extra splash of milk when it’s time to reheat. They can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to a month. When you’re ready to eat, simply leave the container in the fridge until fully thawed.

Ways to Use Up Leftovers

If you’re anything like me, it’s very unlikely that you’ll have leftovers after this dish has been on the table. But if you do, there are lots of great uses for these Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, aside from eating them straight out of the bowl.

Try using them to top mini shepherd’s pies or make super quick and easy mashed potato waffles by mixing in a little flour and some green onions. Mashed potato pancakes and croquettes are also great ways to utilize leftovers and prevent food waste. And if all else fails, try your hand at mashed potato soup.

If you love to serve side dishes at dinner, check out Roasted Red Potatoes, Sweet Potato Gratin and Whipped Butternut Squash

More Side Dishes

Thanksgiving Bread Recipes

• Savory Pumpkin Cornbread
• Easy Bread Recipe No Yeast
• Soft Roll Recipe

As always: If you make this recipe, let us know what you think by rating it and leaving a comment below. And post a pic on Instagram too—tag @give_recipe so we can see!

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