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Close-up of creamy mashed potatoes recipe topped with butter and cracked black pepper.

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

This recipe provides a classic, creamy mashed potato base that you can customize with your favorite additions. It's perfect for any meal, from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.
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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 cheese. 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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