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    Recipes » Side Dish » Potato Sides

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    Published: Aug 9, 2023 by Marissa Stevens · 2 Comments

    Gluten FreeVegetarian

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Indulge in the decadence of these Cheesy Mashed Potatoes! Creamy Yukon Gold potatoes, steamed to velvety perfection, are mashed with a luscious blend of butter, sour cream, and sharp cheddar cheese. Topped with more cheese that's baked into a golden, gooey crust, they're simply irresistible.

    A scoop of Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with a white baking dish full of them below.

    Whether you're hosting a holiday gathering, or a cozy family dinner, this side dish is a guaranteed hit that will have everyone coming back for more. And with a make-ahead option, you can easily prepare them in advance and have more time to enjoy the festivities with your loved ones.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients to Make Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
    • Why You Should Steam Potatoes (instead of boiling)
    • Mistakes to Avoid
    • Recipe Options
    • How to Store and Reheat
    • What to Serve with Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
    • How to Make Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
    • Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients to Make Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Ingredients on a white marble board.
    • Yukon Gold Potatoes: Look for small to medium-sized potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin, and vibrant golden flesh. 
    • Butter: Your choice of salted or unsalted butter.
    • Milk: Choose whole milk for a rich and creamy consistency.
    • Sour Cream: Optimally full-fat sour cream for maximum creaminess. 
    • Cheddar Cheese: Use sharp cheddar for a strong, cheesy flavor or other good melting cheese like Monterey Jack, Fontina or Gruyère.
    • Fresh Chives: Look for vibrant green, aromatic chives. If you don't have chives on hand, thinly sliced green onions provide a similar oniony flavor.

    Why You Should Steam Potatoes (instead of boiling)

    Steaming potatoes for mashed potatoes offers some real advantages over boiling. When you boil potatoes, they can soak up too much water, which can make your mash runny or even gluey. With steaming, there's less water contact, so you get a fluffy mash with a creamy texture that still packs a strong potato flavor. 

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes in a baking dish photographed from the top.

    Mistakes to Avoid

    • Overcrowding the Steamer: As tempting as it might be to steam all your potatoes in one go, overcrowding can result in uneven cooking. This might leave you with some potatoes that are perfectly done, while others are undercooked. So if you're multiplying the recipe, boil the potatoes, but keep a close eye to make sure the potatoes don't overcook.
    • Using Unevenly Cut Pieces: When you're cutting your potatoes to steam, aim for consistency. If you have a mix of large and small chunks, they won't all cook at the same rate.
    • Not Checking for Doneness: Potatoes can vary in their cooking times based on their type and size. It's a mistake to rely solely on a set timer. Instead, periodically check the potatoes to ensure they're fork tender.
    • Letting Them Sit After Steaming: Once the potatoes are done, be sure to move on to mashing while they're still hot. Letting them sit and cool can affect the texture of your mash. (See recipe options below.)
    • Ignoring the Type of Potato: Not all potatoes are created equal! Remember that certain potato varieties mash up fluffier and smoother than others.
    • Steaming Without Checking: Keep an eye on your potatoes as they cook; watch for steam and listen for bubbling water. If your pot runs dry, you could end up with burned potatoes or a scorched pot.

    Recipe Options

    • Yukon Gold Potatoes are ideal for this dish with their naturally rich, buttery flavor and golden hue, but Red Bliss Potatoes are another good semi-waxy option. And if neither of those varieties are available, Russet Potatoes will also work.
    • For a richer version, consider using half-and-half or light cream.
    • Greek yogurt offers a similar tang and richness as sour cream.
    • Fresh parsley, dill, minced fresh garlic cloves, finely chopped leeks, or shallots can be alternatives to or added along with chives to give an herbaceous or stronger onion flavor.
    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes in a baking dish photographed from the top.

    How to Store and Reheat

    Cover leftover mashed potatoes tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days (or transfer to an airtight container). To reheat, spread potatoes into a buttered, oven-safe dish (if you've transferred them to another container). Cover with aluminum foil to keep the potatoes from drying out and warm in an oven preheated to 350˚F (175°C) for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the potatoes reach 165˚F. If the potatoes seem dry, you can mix in a small amount of milk to restore their creaminess.

    What to Serve with Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    These potatoes pair well with main dishes like:

    • Roasted Chicken
    • Pan-Fried Lamb Chops
    • Cast Iron Pork Chops
    • Garlic Butter Steak Bites

     And with side dishes like:

    • Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
    • Green Beans and Mushrooms

    How to Make Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Steam raw potato cubes over boiling water until tender, about 30 minutes.

    potato cubes in steamer.
    steamed potato cubes.

    With a potato masher, mash hot potatoes in a bowl with butter, milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper (or press through a potato ricer). Mix in half the cheese and chives.

    steamed potato cubes with butter sour cream and seasonings in a glass bowl.
    mashed potatoes with potato masher in a glass bowl.
    adding shredded cheese and chives to bowl.
    mashed potatoes ready to spread into prepared baking dish.

    Spread mixture into an even layer in the prepared dish. Top with the remaining cheese, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes until cheese melts. Serve hot.

    mashed potatoes spread into baking dish and topped with shredded cheese.
    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes in a baking dish photographed from the top.
    A scoop of Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with a white baking dish full of them below.

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    Marissa Stevens
    Creamy with butter, sour cream and chives, crowned with melted cheese. They're the ultimate side dish!
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 50 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 281 kcal
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    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ½ pounds Yukon Gold Potatoes cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 4 tablespoons butter ideally at room temperature, plus more for buttering baking dish
    • â…“ cup whole milk
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • â…› teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 6 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
    • ¼ cup minced fresh chives plus more for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Butter a 2-quart, rectangular baking dish.
    • Add raw potato cubes to a large steamer basket set over boiling water. Cover and steam until very tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
    • When potatoes are almost tender, preheat oven to 350ËšF. (see recipe note #1)
    • When tender, transfer potatoes to a large bowl. Add butter, milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper; mash until smooth with a handheld masher. Stir in half of the cheese and chives.
    • Transfer potato mixture to prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle remaining cheese over and bake, uncovered, until potatoes are hot and cheese is melted, 15-20 minutes. Serve hot.

    Notes

    1. These can be made a day or two in advance up to the point of baking. To make ahead, spread mashed potatoes into the prepared baking dish; allow to cool, then cover and refrigerate. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350Ëš and bake, uncovered, 25-35 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 281kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 9gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 492mgPotassium: 652mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 551IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 198mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword comfort food, decadent, easy, restaurant recipe
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Potato Sides

    • Rosemary Roasted Potatoes on a white platter.
      Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
    • Roasted Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts served in a white bowl and photographed from above.
      Roasted Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
    • Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes served on a white platter.
      Roasted Green Beans and Potatoes
    • Serving Cheesy Potatoes from a white ceramic baking dish with a silver spoon.
      Cheesy Potatoes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Valentina says

      August 10, 2023 at 6:33 pm

      Oh my, that bite in the first photo! My mouth is watering. Yukon Gold potatoes are my favorite. So rich and creamy, perfect for this deliciousness. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        August 11, 2023 at 8:58 am

        Thank you, Valentina! They're my favorite too - so naturally creamy and buttery.

        Reply

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