My Aunt Shirley is famous for her creamy mashed potatoes! They are SO fluffy, creamy, and have TONS of flavor. They are like soft pillowy clouds that melt in your mouth. I could describe them forever but you’re just going to have to make them! A very unique recipe. Originally posted November 7, 2017.
Table of Contents
- This Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe is a family favorite!
- Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes: A Thanksgiving staple
- Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese
- How to make Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
- What to pair with the Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- How to store this Mashed Potatoes Recipe with Cream Cheese
- More great potato recipes to try out!
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe with Cream Cheese Recipe
Did you know that Costco has FREE home delivery?? Did you know that the delivery person will even bring you a portion of the free food samples that you missed at the store??
Just kidding. I had you there for a minute, didn’t I? Come on don’t lie.
I went through all the things they brought me and thought, man, this is super boring. No hidden chocolate covered pretzels? No fancy bread from the bakery? Just bulk ground beef and 25 pounds of flour? Boo.
I was pretty excited about the delivery option but now I’m thinking I’ll probably still go to the store most of the time. Sure, I saved tons of money because I didn’t impulse buy 3 entire flats of mangos. But come on, sometimes you just don’t know in advance that you’re going to NEED those two enormous jars of Nutella. Or a giant jar of chocolate-vanilla coconut cashews (Have you HAD those?? Omg.) And don’t forget the cheese! Sell me all the fancy cheese! I definitely need 2 pounds of gouda.
Someday when I’m in debtor’s prison the other inmates will ask me, Karen, how did you end up here? Did you buy a mansion you couldn’t afford, did you drive a Ferrari? And I’ll say no, I bought 1000 pounds of gummy bears every week at Costco.
This Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe is a family favorite!
So have you ever tried my Aunt Shirley’s Famous Dinner Rolls? They are the butteriest, most pillow soft rolls of your life. I usually don’t even bother with real dinner when I eat them, just go for the gold with 3 rolls slathered in butter for dinner instead.
Shirley is an incredible baker but she’s also got mashed potatoes DOWN. This recipe is legendary. I had never actually made them before today, I’ve just been eating them for years at every holiday of my life. But I finally got the recipe from her and found out all her secrets. I knew she added cream cheese (lots; a whole 8 ounce package) but I didn’t realize how unique the rest of the recipe was.
First you boil the potatoes WITH a chopped onion and minced garlic. This way the onion and garlic get nice and mellowed (say no to stinky breath) but the potatoes still retain amazing flavor when it all comes together. The she adds chicken bouillon and Lawry’s seasoned salt. This is genius; it’s kind of like adding a little bit of gravy to your mashed potatoes. So delicious.
Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes: A Thanksgiving staple
You can season it with a bit of pepper if you like, but I found it didn’t need it. Let the creaminess speak for itself!! You should totally make these potatoes for Thanksgiving. They are the ones I ate every year growing up! Just don’t take the last serving without double checking with everyone. There is a legendary story of my brother Eric taking a second helping of these creamy mashed potatoes before my cousin Amber had had any to begin with, and it was basically a tragedy.
I mean, I know that’s melodramatic, but seriously what if YOU were 12 and didn’t get any Thanksgiving mashed potatoes? What else is there to eat when you’re 12 and kinda picky? (The rolls, I guess.) I know this story like the back of my hand and I wasn’t even ALIVE when it happened, no joke. People have got FEELINGS about mashed potatoes. Eric’s never gonna live it down.
Maybe make a double batch just in case. We ate ours tonight with some pan seared salmon. Mm. Mashed potatoes makes everything amazing!
Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese
Here’s a quick shopping list to help you gather your ingredients. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions!
- Russet potatoes
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cream cheese
- Seasoned salt
- Salted butter
- Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
- Fresh parsley (optional garnish)
How to make Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Here’s a quick overview of how to make this recipe. Full instructions can be found in the recipe card below!
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
- Peel the potatoes and chop them into 1 or 2 inch pieces.
- Chop the onion. Smash and mince the garlic.
- Add the potatoes, onions, and garlic to the pot of boiling water. Bring it back up to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are very fork tender.
- Drain the potatoes carefully, then return them to the pot.
- Add the cream cheese, butter, chicken bouillon, and seasoned salt.
- Whip the potatoes with an electric mixer until creamy.
What to pair with the Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Obviously a Thanksgiving turkey and all the other sides. But I make these year-round as the dreamiest, creamiest side dish ever. Here are some of my favorite mashed potato companions.
Easy Fall-Apart Crockpot Roast
Easy Salisbury Steak Recipe (30 Minutes)
How to store this Mashed Potatoes Recipe with Cream Cheese
These mashed potatoes will stay good in the fridge for 3-5 days. Store them in a container with a lid and heat up as much as you need at one time. You can also freeze them for up to a month or two. When you’re ready to eat them, defrost them in the fridge overnight before heating. They’ll reheat best on the stovetop in a pot in small portions, like 1-2 cups at a time.
More great potato recipes to try out!
Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes: << Say no to gravy. Yes to brown butter.
Slow Cooker Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes << Perfect way to save on stove top space on Thanksgiving.
Ultra Creamy, Cheesy, Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes << Make these ahead and bake last minute. They are sooooo cheesy.
Mashed Potato Casserole from House of Yumm
Stuffed Mashed Potato Patties from Alyona’s Cooking
Spiced Mashed Potatoes with Ginger and Ghee from Buttered Veg
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Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 8-10 large russet potatoes, 5 pounds, peeled
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, fresh, smashed and minced
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup salted butter, 1 stick
- 2 tablespoons Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base
- 1 to 2 teaspoons Lawry's seasoned salt, taste it
- minced parsley, fresh, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
- Peel the potatoes and chop them into 1 or 2 inch pieces. (See photos)
- Chop the onion. Smash and mince the garlic. (You can use garlic from the jar in a pinch, but fresh is always better.)
- Add the potatoes, onions, and garlic to the pot of boiling water. Bring it back up to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are very fork tender.
- Drain the potatoes carefully. I always use the lid and tip it over the sink but this can be a little heavy. Use a large colander if you have one. Return to the pot.
- Add the cream cheese, butter, chicken bouillon, and 1 teaspoon seasoned salt.
- Use an electric mixer to whip the potatoes until ultra creamy. You shouldn't need to whip more than 1-2 minutes. Make sure you scrape the sides and bottom with a spatula. Don't over mix; once it's whipped, turn off the mixer.
- Taste it and see if you would like to add up to 1 more teaspoon of seasoned salt.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if you’re a food blogger and need to post pictures of pretty food on the internet. Otherwise you can safely skip this step ;)
Notes
Source: This recipe, is, of course, from Aunt Shirley. :)
Has anyone had success makthese ahead of time and warming before dinner?
These sound delicious! Maybe I can get my grandson to eat these. He always tells me he doesn’t like the texture of mashed potatoes,and he’s going on 12! Never heard of a kid not liking mashed potatoes. Maybe I can get him to atleast try these. Thanks for sharing.
You know Diane, one of my kids doesn’t like mashed potatoes either. We’re thinking of sending her back for a refund. 😂 totally joking, but I seriously don’t understand people who don’t love mashed potatoes!! Enjoy, I hope your grandson loves them!
Love your posts Karen! Â The enthusiasm, the joi de vivre, the stories that attach to each recipe and the light heart after reading them are an absolute gift. Â Thank you!
Super amazing mashed potatoes! High marks from my husband! The garlic is a mellow flavor. Some wouldn’t know it was there so it is fine for children. Love Lawry’s!
Anyway I could make these dairy freeÂ
Hi Jenn! Best you can do is use a dairy free butter sub (Earth balance?), and a dairy free cream cheese sub. Good luck! Tell me how it goes!
This is the BEST recipe for mashed potatoes that I’ve ever tried. They were delicious! I hadn’t made mashed potatoes in probably five years because I could never get the ratio of butter to cream to potatoes right. I tried this tonight and my family and I devoured the potatoes. Highly recommend!
Yay I’m so glad you loved these potatoes Melissa! I can’t believe you went five years without mashed potatoes in your life. It’s time for some make up mashed potatoes now that you’ve found the one haha!! Thanks for taking the time to review!!
The mashed potato recipe looks great however I am not able to get Lawry’s seasoned salt here in the NW of Australia – could you please tell me what the salt is seasoned with so I can make my own? Many thanks
Hey Alan! Here’s a great looking recipe for homemade Lawry’s Enjoy!!
Just wondering if you do in your house what we always do…We always say Mike Laaaawery, when use the season salt. Its from Bad Boys with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Will’s character was Mike Lowery, but Martin made fun.
Okay Kerry I have never seen that movie but it’s at the top of my list now!! 90s Will smith is the best!!!
Absolute. Perfection. When I took the first taste test bite I literally said, out loud to no one in particular, “Holy cow. These are the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever put in my mouth.”
Shortly after, my husband walked in the door so I naturally shoveled some mashed potatoes into his mouth. His eyes closed and the man groaned!
I had a really hard time stopping the taste test process. Had the pot roast (also yours: YUMMM!) not smelled so divine, I may have just made a meal of mashed potatoes. But the combination of these potatoes + pot roast + liquid gold (aka gravy!) = mind blowing.
Thank you for providing such incredible recipes! These will most DEFINITELY be made again.
Hi! Im going to attempt to make the mashed potatoes for dinner tonight. Do the onions and garlic mix in with the potatoes? Or will you be able to tell the onions are in there like they’re stringy still?
Hi Hannah, great question! By time time the onion is done boiling, it will be soft. No stringy crunchy biting bits of onion or garlic in sight. Just a soft, caramelized flavor. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Best mashed potatoes ever!! I made the recipe as written, except I cut the recipe in half (there are only two of us) and used spreadable or soft cream cheese. Definitely will be my go to recipe. I also made the pot roast which was very good.Â
I’m so glad you loved it Rose! Good idea using spreadable cream cheese, I bet it was so delicious. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Hi there! Can these be made in the instant pot?
Hi Joanna! I haven’t tried it. I would look up an IP mashed potatoes recipe and adapt it using these ingredients. Enjoy!
These are absolutely the best mashed potatoes! I made no changes to the recipe since they’re perfect just the way they are. My sister is a very picky eater. She hates cream cheese. I didn’t tell her the potatoes had cream cheese and she loved them. She asked me to make them again for Thanksgiving.
Ahaha, I love this Toni! What is it with these cream cheese haters anyway ;) So glad you have a mashed potato reputation now. Thank you for commenting and reviewing!
Can I use whipped cream cheese instead of regular cream cheese for these potatoes? (I only have the whipped on hand). Also, can I use Better Than Builion Beef flavoring instead of the chicken flavor?
Thank you!
P.S. I have the Pot Roast in the crockpot (trying for the first time) & it smells AMAZING!
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer ! I haven’t tried whipped cream cheese but I’m sure it would work great! Use your best judgment for how much to add. And you can use beef bouillon, but I wouldn’t add much, and be aware that it is a much stronger flavor. add a little bit, see if you like it, then add more if you want. I’m so glad you are making these with the pot roast! BEST combo ever! Enjoy :)
WOW! The post roast was AMAZING & the potatoes were AMAZING with the pot roast & carrots on top!!! I used whipped cream cheese & found chicken bouillon that I had on hand (thought I only had beef). I was curious how the potatoes would turn out being boiled with the chopped onion but once everything was combined, they were delicious!
Thank you for the great recipes!
I’m so happy to hear it was a success Jennifer! Thanks so much for reporting back about the whipped cream cheese. This is literally my favorite meal, I’m so glad you got to try it! Thanks for reviewing :)
I wondering about your gravy… is the gravy pictured your make ahead Turkey gravy, or is the recipe soon to come?
Thanks. These potatoes Look AMAZING and I can’t wait to try them.
True story Angelica…I think that might be canned gravy. I honestly can’t remember!! I shot this recipe a few years ago! The turkey gravy is a great option though :) Happy Thanksgiving!!
Just wanted to make sure that you don’t add any liquid to the mashed potatoes like broth or milk. When using the chicken paste, you just use it on its own.Â
Hi Cari! That’s exactly right, don’t add any extra liquid! Enjoy the potatoes and Happy Thanksgiving!