Foolproof Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipes

Steps:

• Lightly scrub the potatoes. Put them in a large stockpot, fill with cold water to cover by about 2 inches and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a strong simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender in the center, 50 to 55 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes in a colander in the sink. Let cool enough so that you can handle them, about 10 minutes. It is important that the potatoes do not cool too much because they will mash more easily when hot.
• Meanwhile, add the butter to the same pot that you used to cook the potatoes (no need to clean it). Melt completely over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Heat 3/4 cup of the cream in a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl until steaming and set aside.
• Holding the potatoes in a clean kitchen towel, gently peel the skins off with a paring knife. Quarter the potatoes and put them in the pot along with 2 1/2 teaspoons salt. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until smooth and fluffy (see Cook's Note).
• Add the cream and stir until combined. Season with pepper and additional salt if needed. Allow to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 3 months.
• To reheat refrigerated mashed potatoes: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spoon the mashed potatoes into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Drizzle with the remaining 1/2 cup cream. Stir until combined, making sure there are no pools of cream at bottom of the baking dish.
• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and gently stir the mashed potatoes. Cover again and continue to bake until the potatoes are hot and steamy, 20 to 25 minutes more. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• To reheat frozen mashed potatoes: Thaw the potatoes completely in the refrigerator and cook according to the same directions as refrigerated potatoes but do not add cream. The potatoes might seem watery at first but will thicken as they heat up.
• Transfer the hot mashed potatoes to a large bowl for serving.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Place potatoes in a large pot of lightly salted water. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, and mash.
• In a large bowl, mix mashed potatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, onion salt, and pepper. Transfer to a large casserole dish.
• Cover, and bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven.

Steps:

• Combine enough water to cover the potatoes (about 6 cups) with 2 teaspoons salt and vinegar in a large pot. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce the heat and add the potato slices. Cook just below a simmer for 30 to 35 minutes, until potatoes are tender when a fork is pressed into a slice. Drain and run cold water over the potato slices to cool them. Let them stand in water in the pot and add some ice. (You want to make sure that the potatoes are cool through before you mash them. This will help prevent gluey potatoes.).
• Drain well. Mash with an old-fashioned potato masher or large fork or run them through a ricer (don't use the food processor). When you have mashed fairly well, slowly stir in the cream. Stir the remaining 2 teaspoons salt and the pepper into the half-and-half, then stir into the potatoes until they are a little moister than you want the final dish to be. Taste; if necessary, add salt and pepper.
• Spoon potatoes into a large casserole (about 2 quarts) and cover with foil. Refrigerate overnight or hold at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Heat potatoes in the covered casserole for 40 minutes, then uncover and serve. Potatoes will stay hot for the entire meal.

Steps:

• Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 450 degrees.
• Microwave the potatoes on high for 16 minutes, turning them over once.
• Transfer potatoes to oven and place directly on the oven rack. Bake about 30 minutes, turning once, or until a skewer glides easily through the flesh.
• Remove from from oven and cut each potato in half lengthwise.
• Using an oven mitt or folded kitchen towel to hold the hot potatoes, scrape out the flesh into a large microwave-safe bowl.
• Use a fork, masher, or spatula, break the potato flesh into small pieces.
• Transfer half of the potatoes to a mixer bowl and beat on high speed with the paddle attachment until smooth, about 30 seconds. (I used a hand mixer with the standard beaters and it worked fine but definitely use a stand mixer if you have it.)
• Gradually add the rest of the potatoes to incorporate until no lumps remain, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Remove bowl from mixer and gently fold in 2 cups of the cream followed by the butter and 2 tsp of salt. (This will look way too wet at first but keep folding and it will all come together without being soupy).
• Fold in up to 1/2 cup more cream as needed to reach desired consistency.
• Once desired consistency is reached, fold in an additional 1/2 cup cream. The potatoes will be quite loose at this point but this is neccesary to prevent them drying out overnight. You may skip adding the additional cream if you want to serve the potatoes immediately.
• Add any additional seasonings you desire (I like adding parmesan and roasted garlic).
• TO STORE: Transfer the potatoes back to the large microwave-safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
• TO SERVE: Poke lots of holes in the plastic wrap and microwave at 75% power until the potatoes are hot, about 14 minutes, stirring gently halfway through.

Steps:

• Place the potatoes into a large pot, and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, and return the potatoes to the pot. Turn heat to high, and allow the potatoes to dry for about 30 seconds. Turn off the heat.
• Mash the potatoes with a potato masher twice around the pot, then add the butter and milk. Continue to mash until smooth and fluffy. Whisk in the salt and black pepper until evenly distributed, about 15 seconds.