Mashed Potato Recipes - Cooking Light

Photo: Ellen Silverman

Healthy Mashed Potato Recipes

Mashed potatoes are one of the quintessential comfort foods. Smooth, creamy, and warm—few vegetable side dishes can compare to these smashing spuds.

First up: Buttermilk-Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Be sure to purchase a crumbly wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano for this super quick potato side dish. The salty flavor will give just the right bite to these melt-in-your-mouth mashed potatoes.

View Recipe: Buttermilk-Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Ranch Mashed Potatoes

Add tangy zest to a mild-flavored classic with this recipe. It has the quintessential rich-and-creamy texture of mashed potatoes, while adding visual appeal with skin-on red potatoes and taste appeal with sour cream, buttermilk, and herbs.

View Recipe: Ranch Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Smashed Potatoes with Goat Cheese and Chives

If you want to make the potatoes ahead, chill them and reheat just before serving, adding extra liquid to desired consistency. Stir in the chives just before serving. For a nice presentation, sprinkle additional chives over the top.

View Recipe: Smashed Potatoes with Goat Cheese and Chives

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Camembert Mashed Potatoes

Soft, mild Camembert cheese adds the same creaminess to mashed potatoes that butter and cream do, but it also brings in a sophisticated tangy, distinctly cheesy flavor. Any young, soft cheese can be used in this recipe―try your favorite brie, or even a creamy chévre.

View Recipe: Camembert Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Charles Masters

Mashed Potato Casserole

The combination of buttery Yukon gold and fluffy baking potatoes offers richness and a nice contrast both in flavor and texture. We recommend using a food mill to ensure the potatoes are evenly mashed and, just as important, not overworked, so they won't get gluey. If you don't have a food mill, cream the potatoes and cooking liquid with a potato masher.

View Recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole

Photo: José Picayo

Bacon and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

It's worth buying a food mill (we like OXO's) to make creamy mashed potatoes. Run the cooked potatoes through before combining with other ingredients.

View Recipe: Bacon and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Levi Brown

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

These Garlic Mashed Potatoes start with red potatoes and two cloves of garlic and are then cooked together. Simple ingredients, such as milk, butter, and seasonings, are all that's added to make this side dish a standout.

View Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Johnny Autry & Randy Mayor

Parmesan Potatoes

When time is tight and you're in need of a quick side, pick up a package of refrigerated mashed potatoes and doctor up the flavor. The results are Parmesan Potatoes with fresh Parmesan cheese, green onions, and black pepper stirred in.

View Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes

Photo: Ellie Miller

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Buttermilk gives these mashed potatoes a slight tang. Stir in the salt and butter, but drizzle the olive oil on top before serving.

View Recipe: Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Randy Mayor

Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Horseradish Butter

A little goes a long way when it comes to horseradish. Just two teaspoons is all this recipe needs to give the potatoes zing.

View Recipe: Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Horseradish Butter

Photo: Jan Smith

Mashed Potatoes with Chives

Yukon gold potatoes lend a buttery color and flavor, and they are great for mashing. Here, two tablesoons of chives impart a slight onion flavor.

View Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Chives

Photo: Karry Hosford

Smoked Salmon and Chive Mashed Potatoes

These mashed potatoes definitely bring an unexpected flavor combination to the table. Serve them with eggs Benedict for a fantastic brunch. Add fresh fruit to finish the menu.

View Recipe: Smoked Salmon and Chive Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Karry Hosford

Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Chives

These creamy mashed potatoes will melt in your mouth. You can substitute 2/3 cup; 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, 2 tablespoons fresh chives, and 1 tablespoon chopped onion for the flavored cream cheese.

View Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Chives

Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic and Rosemary

Yukon gold potatoes taste richer and whip up creamier than russets, but you can use either variety in this herbed and delicious mashed potato recipe.

View Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic and Rosemary

Creamy Herbed Mashed Potatoes

Yukon golds make brilliant mashed potatoes, thanks to their balance of waxiness and starch. Because yellow potatoes are more flavorful than others, they don't need a lot of fat to taste rich. Mash them by hand just until creamy—overworking the potatoes will make them gummy.

View Recipe: Creamy Herbed Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Karry Hosford

Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic Butter

The secret's out: Cream is not required for creamy mashed potatoes. Our version uses a combination of chicken stock and buttermilk to achieve tangy flavor, creamy texture, and a nice savory note while keeping calories at just 181 per serving. If you're of the meatless persuasion, vegetable broth works as well.

View Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic Butter