Creamy Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes Recipe For Cozy Dinners

Creamy garlic mashed red potatoes bring comfort right to your dinner plate with unexpected richness.

Russet varieties work, but red potatoes offer a smoother, more delightful texture.

Peels left on add rustic charm and extra nutrients to this classic side dish.

Minimal ingredients combine magically, creating a crowd-pleasing accompaniment that feels both elegant and homey.

Butter and cream create silky waves through each forkful of these perfectly seasoned spuds.

Fresh herbs sprinkled on top can elevate this simple recipe from good to absolutely memorable.

You’ll want seconds – maybe even thirds – of this irresistible potato preparation.

Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes That Feel Gourmet

• Elevate Home Cooking: Craft a gourmet side dish with minimal chef skills required.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Roast garlic ahead of time and let the recipe do the heavy lifting with simple boiling and mashing techniques.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Prepare delicious mashed potatoes in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving comfort food.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Serve alongside roasted meats, grilled proteins, or enjoy as a standalone vegetarian dish that impresses guests and picky eaters alike.

Creamy Blend in Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

• Red Potatoes: Hearty, creamy potatoes with thin red skin that provide a rustic texture and rich potato flavor. Best when fresh and firm with no sprouts or green patches.
• Garlic: Deeply aromatic ingredient that adds robust, complex flavor to the dish. Roasting softens its intensity and creates a mellow, sweet undertone.

• Heavy Cream, Butter: Luxurious ingredients that create smooth, rich, and velvety mashed potatoes. Full-fat versions provide the best taste and texture.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and elevate the dish's taste profile. Use kosher or sea salt for better flavor distribution.
• Chives: Fresh green herb that adds a mild onion-like flavor and bright color. Provides a beautiful visual and taste contrast to the creamy potatoes.

Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes Cooking Method

Step 1: Prepare Garlic Heads

Select fresh garlic heads and roast them using an oven or air fryer until golden and soft.

Once roasted, set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Boil Potato Chunks

• Red potatoes
• Cold water
• Salt

Quarter potatoes and place in a large pot.

Cover with cold water and add salt.

Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until potatoes become tender when pierced with a fork, approximately 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Warm Cream Mixture

• Heavy cream
• Unsalted butter

In a separate saucepan, gently heat cream and butter over medium-low heat.

Warm the mixture without allowing it to boil, then reduce heat to keep warm.

Step 4: Mash Potatoes

Drain potatoes and return them to the hot pot.

This allows excess moisture to evaporate.

Add roasted garlic and mash until mostly smooth with some rustic texture.

Step 5: Incorporate Cream

Gradually pour half the cream mixture into potatoes while continuing to mash.

Add remaining cream, salt, and pepper.

Gently fold using a wooden spoon to combine ingredients.

Step 6: Serve And Garnish

Transfer mashed potatoes to a serving dish.

Top with additional butter pats and sprinkle chopped chives for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Mashed Potato Tips For Garlic Goodness

• Use aluminum foil to wrap garlic heads, drizzle with olive oil, and roast at 400°F for maximum flavor and creamy texture.
• Start with cold, salted water to ensure even cooking and prevent potatoes from becoming mushy or unevenly cooked.
• Warm dairy ingredients gently to prevent separation and create a smooth, luxurious texture in the mashed potatoes.
• Use a potato masher or ricer for a rustic texture, avoiding over-mixing to prevent gluey or gummy mashed potatoes.
• Experiment with add-ins like roasted herbs, different cheese types, or crispy bacon bits to elevate the classic garlic mashed potato recipe.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes That Return to Fluffy Perfection

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring the potatoes are completely cooled before sealing.
• Transfer mashed potatoes to a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze for maximum 2 months.
• Place potatoes in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of milk or cream, cover, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• When reheating, gradually mix in extra warm cream or butter to revive the original smooth texture and prevent dryness.

Creamy Sips With Mashed Potatoes

• Amplify Flavor with Protein Pairings: Roasted herb-crusted chicken or pan-seared salmon perfectly complement the rich, creamy garlic mashed potatoes by adding lean protein and balancing the dish's smooth texture.
• Elevate Wine Selection: A crisp Chardonnay or buttery Pinot Noir matches the potatoes' creamy garlic notes, enhancing the overall dining experience with complementary flavor profiles and smooth undertones.
• Create Vegetable Harmony: Roasted asparagus or sautéed green beans provide a fresh, crisp contrast to the dense mashed potatoes, adding nutritional balance and a vibrant green color to the plate.
• Boost Meal Complexity: Adding a tangy herb-infused gravy or a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits can introduce additional layers of flavor and textural complexity to the garlic mashed red potatoes.

Red Potato Mash Variants

• Dairy-Free Dream: Replace heavy cream with unsweetened coconut milk and use olive oil instead of butter for a creamy, plant-based version.
• Herb Haven: Mix in fresh rosemary, thyme, or dill during mashing to create an aromatic herb-infused potato side dish.
• Vegan Comfort: Substitute dairy ingredients with cashew cream, nutritional yeast, and plant-based butter for a rich, creamy texture while keeping the recipe completely vegan.
• Protein Power: Fold in crumbled goat cheese or crispy bacon bits for added protein and flavor complexity for those wanting extra nutrition.

FAQs

• How do I know when the potatoes are cooked perfectly?

Insert a fork into the largest potato piece. If it slides in easily without resistance, the potatoes are done. They should be tender but not falling apart or mushy.

• Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?

Red potatoes work best because they have a waxy texture and hold their shape well. Yukon gold potatoes are a good alternative if red potatoes aren’t available.

• What's the best way to roast garlic for this recipe?

Cut the top off the garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast in a 400°F oven for 30-40 minutes until soft and golden brown. Squeeze the roasted cloves directly into the potatoes.

• How can I prevent lumpy mashed potatoes?

Use a potato masher or ricer for smooth results. Avoid using a food processor, which can make potatoes gluey. Mash while potatoes are hot and add warm cream gradually to ensure a creamy texture.

Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy garlic mashed red potatoes bring rustic comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Buttery, herbed, and irresistibly smooth, this classic side dish promises pure potato perfection you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 red skin potatoes, quartered (peel on)
• 2 heads roasted garlic

Dairy and Cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup salted butter

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Garnish:

• Chives, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare two heads of garlic through roasting techniques, utilizing either oven or air fryer methods, and set aside for later incorporation.
2. Place quartered red potatoes into a large pot, covering them with cold, salted water to ensure even cooking and optimal flavor absorption.
3. Gradually elevate water temperature to a rolling boil over medium heat, allowing potatoes to simmer until they reach a tender consistency when pierced with a fork, approximately 15-20 minutes.
4. Simultaneously, warm heavy cream and butter in a separate saucepan, maintaining a gentle heat without reaching a boiling point, then reduce to low temperature to preserve warmth.
5. Once potatoes are cooked, thoroughly drain and return them to the residual heat of the pot, facilitating moisture evaporation and preventing waterlogged texture.
6. Introduce roasted garlic to the potatoes, meticulously mashing until achieving a primarily smooth consistency with subtle textural variations.
7. Incrementally integrate half of the cream mixture while continuing the mashing process, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
8. Complete the mixture by incorporating remaining cream, seasoning with salt and pepper, and gently folding with a wooden spoon to maintain desired texture.
9. Transfer the creamy garlic mashed potatoes to a serving dish, embellishing with additional butter pats and freshly chopped chives for visual appeal and enhanced flavor profile.

Notes

• Roast garlic ahead of time to intensify its sweet, mellow flavor and reduce harsh raw garlic bite.
• Choose red potatoes with thin, delicate skins that create a rustic, creamy texture without peeling.
• Keep cream and butter at a gentle warm temperature to prevent curdling and maintain smooth consistency.
• Experiment with dairy alternatives like coconut milk or olive oil for lactose-free or vegan versions of this comforting side dish.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg