The one side dish everyone can agree on? Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. Not only are they easy to make, but they're also insanely delicious and only require a few basic ingredients. Learn how to make the best mashed potatoes and you'll be set with a recipe you'll want to make over and over. At its most basic, they couldn't be easier: Simply boil some potatoes, mash with milk or cream (non-dairy milk alternatives work too!), add butter or olive oil and a big pinch of salt. Few ingredients, few steps — but, we all know that this no-frills version tastes anything but basic. Heavenly, decadent, rich and velvety are just a few words we'd use to describe 'em.
Here, we're dishing out our favorite ways to prepare the smashed spuds, whether you're pulling out all the stops for Thanksgiving dinner or pulling together a simple weeknight meal. You won’t be disappointed by our best creamy mashed potato recipes, including garlic mashed potatoes, spuds with cream cheese or sour cream, and, of course, cheesy potatoes!
Plus, we're mixing up the main vegetable — from parsnips to sweet potatoes to cauliflower — so you can sneak a few extra nutrients into everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving side dish. We've also included a number of different cooking styles according to what you prefer, whether you like your mashed potatoes without milk or your mashed potatoes with heavy cream, we’ve got you covered. Do you prefer this epic side with skin or without? Any of these recipes can be adjusted according to what you love. The options are endless, and endlessly customizable!
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1
Mashed Potatoes and Parsnips
Parsnips add sweetness to your fave Thanksgiving side. And, with an extra veggie snuck in, you can eat seconds (and thirds).
Get the recipe for Mashed Potatoes and Parsnips »
RELATED: 50 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Steal the Show
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2
Colcannon
Get your greens and potatoes at the same time.
Get the recipe for Colcannon »
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3
Creamy One-Pot Garlic Creamy Mashed Potatoes
One pot, no problems (and fewer dishes to clean!). Here's an age-old wisdom that still rings true: A drizzle of melted butter makes everything better.
Get the recipe for Creamy One-Pot Garlic Creamy Mashed Potatoes »
RELATED: 58 Easy Potato Recipes For Weeknight Dinners, Thanksgiving and More
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4
Creamy Roasted Squash Puree
Love sweet potato mash? Try thyme-roasted squash instead, which turns ultra creamy after a quick whirl in the food processor. A touch of maple syrup makes it even better!
Get the recipe for Creamy Roasted Squash Puree »
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5
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Caper Gremolata
Smashed potatoes are the best of both worlds: the creaminess of mashed potatoes paired with the crispy edges of roasted potatoes. Win, win!
Get the recipe for Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Caper Gremolata »
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6
Herbed Mashed Potatoes
Infuse milk with the flavors of fresh thyme and parsley to upgrade a crowd-favorite.
Get the recipe for Herbed Mashed Potatoes »
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7
Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
Many swear that sour cream is secret to tangy-but-so-creamy mashed potatoes. Well, we say take that one step further and add cheddar!
Get the recipe for Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes »
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8
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Cauliflower
If you're trying to keep it low-carb this Thanksgiving, swap your spuds for cauliflower. Once loaded with butter and roasted garlic, you won't even know the difference.
RELATED: The 17 Best High-Protein, Low-Carb Foods to Fill You Up and Curb Cravings
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9
Rosemary-Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are an essential addition to any holiday table, and these super-smooth mashed spuds have an extra hint of sweetness, thanks to maple syrup.
Get the recipe for Rosemary-Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes »
RELATED: 56 Best Sweet Potato Recipes That Are Perfect for Any Fall Occasion
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10
Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes
Sometimes doing less is actually more — short of creamy mashed, these smashed red potatoes are delightfully simple.
Get the recipe for Crispy Golden Smashed Potatoes »
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11
Classic Mashed Potatoes
Sometimes you just need a good old-fashioned basic. This triple-tested pick is a go-to for the Test Kitchen.
Get the recipe for Classic Mashed Potatoes»
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12
Buttermilk-Boursin Mashed Potatoes
One word: Boursin! The combination of tangy buttermilk and this fancy French cheese makes for an unforgettable dish. Leftovers? Forget about it.
Get the recipe for Buttermilk-Boursin Mashed Potatoes »
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13
Mashed Potatoes With Caramelized Fennel
Fennel lends a crisp sweetness to any dish — and, slowly caramelizing 'em (like onions) brings out their natural sugars to take the flavor to a whole new level.
Get the recipe for Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Fennel »
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14
Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Mash
Swap out your regular spuds for a combo of nutritious sweet potatoes and fiber-filled cauliflower florets.
Get the recipe for Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Mash »
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15
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Ina Garten (yes, the Barefoot Contessa) shared her recipe for silky smooth spuds and it's nothing short of delicious. There's a subtly-sweet garlic flavor that makes 'em extra amazing.
Get the recipe for Garlic Mashed Potatoes »
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16
Stuffed Parmesan Potatoes
For a prettier presentation, serve up mashed spuds to each guest in their own roasted potato.
Get the recipe for Stuffed Parmesan Potatoes »
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17
Mashed Potato Souffle With Cheese and Bacon
For a fancier and refreshingly different take on the classic side, turn mashed spuds into a cheesy, savory soufflé.
Get the recipe for Mashed Potato Souffle with Cheese and Bacon »
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18
Kale and Horseradish Potatoes
To anyone still feeling the kale craze, these spuds are for you. Pro tip: Seek out fresh horseradish and grate it yourself. The difference in flavor will shock you.
Get the recipe for Kale and Horseradish Potatoes »
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19
Creamiest Mashed Potatoes
We like to follow one rule: The creamier, the better.
Get the recipe for Creamiest Mashed Potatoes »
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20
Veggie Trio on Sweet Mash
Adding kale, beans, and peppers to mashed sweet potatoes might be the tastiest way to sneak in extra nutrients and protein. Serve it as a side, or as a main.
Get the recipe for Veggie Trio on Sweet Mash »
