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A close-up of a bowl of fluffy mashed potatoes topped with a pat of butter and melted butter, seasoned with cracked black pepper.

The Only Mashed Potatoes Recipes Recipe You’ll Need (2025)

Discover the ultimate mashed potato recipe, perfect for home cooks and food enthusiasts looking to elevate their comfort food game. This recipe offers a classic base with options for healthy twists and creative variations.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 257
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Mashed Potatoes
  • 2 pounds baking potatoes peeled and quartered
  • 3 cloves garlic peeled, or to taste (Optional)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • to taste salt and ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Small saucepan
  • Potato masher or electric mixer

Method
 

  1. Gather all ingredients.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and garlic, lower heat to medium, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
  3. When the potatoes are almost finished, heat milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat until butter is melted.
  4. Drain potatoes and return to the pot. Slowly add warm milk mixture, blending it in with a potato masher or electric mixer until potatoes are smooth and creamy.
  5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with extra butter and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 257kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 6gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 76mgPotassium: 763mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For a cheesy variation, add up to 1 cup of shredded Cheddar or Parmesan. Extra delicious topped with crispy fried onions or crumbled bacon. For a fancy holiday presentation, pipe into a casserole dish and bake until lightly browned on top.

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