Description
Ina Garten’s Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes recipe features creamy Yukon gold potatoes blended with garlic, goat cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan for a rich, flavorful side dish perfect for holidays or any special meal. This recipe can be prepared in advance and baked when ready, ensuring stress-free entertaining with delicious, cheesy mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Garlic
- 3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 to 2 inch chunks
- 5 large garlic cloves, peeled
Dairy and Seasonings
- 7 to 8 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick)
- 1 & 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1/2 cup half-and-half (or milk)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes and Garlic: Fill a large pot with water, cover, and set it on the stove over high heat. Add peeled and chopped potatoes along with smashed garlic cloves, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to prevent boiling over and cook for 20-25 minutes, until potatoes are very tender.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit while potatoes finish cooking.
- Drain and Mash Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and garlic, then return them to the pot. Use a food mill if available, or an electric mixer or traditional masher to mash. Stir in the boiled garlic cloves thoroughly.
- Add Cheese and Cream: Stir in the garlic-and-herb goat cheese, butter, sour cream, half-and-half, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined and creamy.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the mashed potatoes to a 2-quart baking dish (about 8×11 inches) without greasing. Spread evenly and sprinkle the top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Make-Ahead Option: Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days if preparing in advance.
- Bake Same Day: Place the baking dish on a baking sheet to catch any overflow. Bake at 375°F for about 35 minutes, or until the Parmesan cheese is golden brown.
- Bake After Refrigeration: Remove the refrigerated dish and let it come to room temperature for at least an hour. Uncover and bake on a baking sheet at 375°F for 40-45 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for making ahead and reheating, especially for holiday meals like Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
- The combination of goat cheese and Parmesan adds a rich, cheesy depth to traditional mashed potatoes.
- Using Yukon gold potatoes ensures a creamy, buttery texture without needing extra butter or cream.
- If you don’t have a food mill, an electric mixer or potato masher works just fine to achieve a smooth texture.
- Be sure to place the baking dish on a baking sheet to avoid any mess from bubbling over during baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 506 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1159 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
