Rich & Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Cook: 2 hours

Makes

10 servings

Updated: Apr. 24, 2022
It's a cinch to jazz up instant mashed potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese, then cook and serve them from a slow cooker. For a special touch, sprinkle this creamy mashed potatoes recipe with chopped fresh chives, canned french-fried onions or fresh grated Parmesan cheese. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan
Rich & Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 3-3/4 cups boiling water
  • 1-1/2 cups 2% milk
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 4 cups mashed potato flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • Minced fresh parsley, optional

Directions

  1. In a greased 4-qt. slow cooker, whisk the boiling water, milk, cream cheese, butter and sour cream until smooth. Stir in the potato flakes, garlic salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low until heated through, 2-3 hours. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes Tips

Can I use cream instead of milk in mashed potatoes?

Yes, you can use cream instead of milk. It's up to your personal preference. You could also use a dairy-free alternative, too. Some great dairy-free milk options you can use are almond, rice and oat milk—just make sure you grab the unsweetened versions!

What if my mashed potatoes are too creamy?

If your mashed potatoes are too creamy, you can add a thickening agent, like cornstarch or flour, to the mix. You could also add more potatoes to thicken up your mashed potatoes, too.

How do you make creamy mashed potatoes from scratch?

It's super simple to make mashed potatoes from scratch! Follow our homemade mashed potatoes recipe to make them from scratch. (Make sure to keep these secrets to perfecting mashed potatoes in mind, too.)

What can I do with leftover mashed potatoes?

There are plenty of ways to use up leftover mashed potatoes. Some of our favorites are: Pork Shepherd's Pie Stuffin' Muffins and Broccoli Potato Supreme.

Research contributed by Christina Herbst, Taste of Home Assistant Digital Editor and Rashanda Cobbins, Taste of Home Food Editor

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 299 calories, 20g fat (13g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 390mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.