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A close-up of a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes topped with butter and parsley, part of Mashed Potatoes Recipes in 20 Minutes.

Mashed Potatoes Recipes in 20 Minutes: Weeknight Winner

This recipe makes creamy, delicious mashed potatoes in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. It's a simple, comforting side dish that the whole family will love.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Draining Time 2 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 327

Ingredients
  

For the Mashed Potatoes
  • 3 lbs gold potatoes may substitute russet
  • 1 gallon water or chicken broth for boiling
  • 0.5 cup salted butter softened
  • 1 cup whole milk or half and half warmed
  • 0.5 teaspoon table salt or fine sea salt plus additional for boiling and to taste
  • 0.125 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper plus additional to taste
Optional Add-ins
  • 0.25-0.33 cup full-fat sour cream
  • 0.5 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • Potato peeler
  • Large pot
  • Small saucepan
  • Potato ricer

Method
 

  1. Cut butter into 8 pieces and set aside to soften.
  2. Peel potatoes (if desired) and cut into 1 ½” pieces. Rinse under cold water for one minute.
  3. Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with cool water or chicken broth by at least ½”. Generously salt the water and bring to a boil over high heat.
  4. While potatoes cook, warm milk in a microwave or small saucepan.
  5. Boil potatoes until tender when pierced with a fork, about 10 minutes.
  6. Drain potatoes well and return to the pot. Let sit for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow steam to escape.
  7. Mash potatoes with a masher or ricer until smooth.
  8. Add softened butter to the potatoes and stir until melted and incorporated.
  9. Drizzle warmed milk over the potatoes. Add salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
  10. Stir in any optional add-ins until combined.
  11. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 6gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 1001mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 521IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 2mg

Notes

You can use water or chicken broth to boil the potatoes. For a richer flavor, half and half can be used instead of whole milk. Optional add-ins like sour cream or parmesan cheese can be stirred in for extra flavor.

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