How to Make Easy Mashed Potatoes from Scratch

Making real mashed potatoes is a labor of love.

A classic American comfort food, mashed potatoes take center stage at holiday meals and family dinners. The taste and texture of the homemade dish is worlds away from the blandness of all-too-familiar mashed potatoes from a box. It takes a little more time and effort to make mashed potatoes from scratch, but the results are well worth it.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pounds of russet potatoes
• Vegetable peeler
• Knife
• Large pot or saucepan
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and mashed
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• Potato masher
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• Small saucepan
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Scrub and peel the potatoes. Cut them into large chunks.

2. Place the cut potatoes in a large pot or saucepan filled with water. Add water as needed to completely cover the potatoes.

3. Add the salt and garlic cloves and bring the water to a boil over high heat.

4. Reduce the heat to simmer once the water has reached a boil. Cook the potatoes over low heat until fork tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Drain the water from the pot, leaving just enough water to cover the bottom.

6. Add the butter to the potatoes. Mash the butter, potatoes and garlic with a potato masher.

7. Heat the milk until steamy in a small saucepan on the stove. Do not let the milk come to a boil.

8. Stir the milk into the mashed potatoes and whip with a fork until creamy.

9. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• Stir in Old Bay seasoning to the mashed potatoes and sprinkle a little shredded cheddar cheese on top.

• Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits to top of mashed potatoes.

References

• “Joy of Cooking”; Irma S. Rombauer, et al.; 2006