Name: Make Ahead Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 5 pounds russet potatoes; 8 ounces cream cheese; 1 cup half and half; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1 teaspoon Lawry's seasoned salt; 1 teaspoon onion salt; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Make Ahead Creamy Mashed Potatoes are the perfect holiday side dish. Ultra indulgent, so creamy, and a great make ahead side dish.

Overhead shot of creamy mashed potatoes in a round white casserole dish, with a wooden spoon in the middle, and you can see how creamy it is, on a gray tray.

Make Ahead Potatoes

My mom made these make ahead potatoes for many family gatherings over the years. She had a VERY large group to feed, and was the ultimate planner who loved to prepare in advance. There were many Christmas celebrations where she and Dad hosted 25 of us, and preparing for all the activity at their house made her so happy. I can remember her going to their freezer in the basement and pulling out casseroles, breads, and treats galore. We always joked that Mom and Dad could survive a six month long famine if they needed to.

These Make Ahead Creamy Mashed Potatoes were usually made well in advance of the holidays. Mom doubled the recipe and stored two casserole dishes in the freezer prior to our family parties. Because what goes better with a big slab of prime rib than these creamy potatoes? Nada.

Other dishes that Norma Jean made?

green beans and bacon
stuffing
broccoli salad
some type of green salad
raspberry pretzel salad
bread, OF COURSE
and sweet treats and dessert galore

Overhead shot of creamy mashed potatoes in a round white casserole dish, on a gray tray with a wooden spoon.

Make Ahead means…

Make the potatoes, cover with foil, and store in the refrigerator up to two days in advance.
Want to freeze it? Just wrap tightly, and freeze for up to three months.

While you COULD cut back on the indulgent ingredients, or use a lighter version, I recommend you use the straight-up full fat version for your holiday side dish.

cream cheese
butter
half and half

Just go for it with no regrets.

To get these potatoes ultra creamy, do these two things.

Boil the potatoes until they are VERY tender. If some are still a little too firm, your result will be lumpy. Trust me, you don’t want lumps.
Use a large standing mixer, throw all the ingredients in, and let it mix until they are nice and creamy.

Overhead process shots of 1) whole baking potatoes, and the other ingredients laid out on a gray tray, and 2) the cooked potatoes in a silver mixing bowl.

Our Holiday table will most definitely include these mashed potatoes. Also, on the list – a turkey and a ham, Sweet Potato Casserole, Spinach Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing, my mom’s Chewy French Bread, Strawberry Pretzel Salad (that’s actually not really a salad!), and desserts – French Silk Pie, and Pumpkin Streusel Cake.

I LOVE the holidays. The friends and family gatherings, the surprises, the love, and of course, the FOOD. 🙂

Side angle of a large wooden spoonful of a serving of creamy mashed potatoes over a serving bowl, with the casserole dish in the background.

xoxo ~Sue