Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Cheddar Mashed Potatoes are fluffy, creamy, and buttery. Loaded with cheddar cheese and hints of garlic, every bite of this classic side dish is delicious and flavorful. Cheesy mashed potatoes are perfect for all kinds of fancy holiday dinners (think Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) or a family weeknight dinner.

The best part? These mashed potatoes with cheddar cheese are quick and easy to make, and they store and freeze well so you can prep them ahead of time and enjoy for weeks to come with little to no effort at all.

Why You'll Love Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

• Easy elevated mashed potatoes. This recipe turns basic mashed potatoes into an exciting dish with little effort! Garlic, cheddar, and optional chives add flavor and a bit more wow factor to the humble potato.
• They are quick to make. Mashed potatoes have never been more tasty, and this uncomplicated recipe gets them on the table in only half an hour. Just boil, mash, and mix — done! Five-star garlic cheddar mashed potatoes in only a fraction of the time.
• An any-time side dish. Mashed potatoes are a classic crowd favorite that pair well with just about everything, from roasts to salads, soups, and more. Whip up this recipe out for a casual dinner at home or use it as part of your holiday meal planning strategy.
• Only ten minutes of active prep work. This cheddar mashed potato recipe can be completed in 30 minutes — and a majority of it is waiting for the potatoes to boil. You can get them on the stove and move on to preparing other courses for efficiency.

Ingredient Notes

To make this easy Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• Yukon gold or russet potatoes - Yukon gold or russet potatoes work best for mashing — their high starch levels make the lightest and fluffiest mounds of mashed potatoes. If you like a denser mashed potato, you can experiment with different kinds of potatoes or use what you have available.
• cheddar cheese - you can freshly grate a block with a cheese grater or use shredded cheese from the grocery store. But note the slight difference: store-bought shredded cheeses usually contain an additive that prevents the cheese from sticking together or melting in the bag, like cornstarch. You can also substitute it for a vegan cheese substitute if you’re plant-based or lactose intolerant.
• butter - the butter in this recipe can be swapped for olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative.
• milk - if someone in your family has a dairy allergy or sensitivity, you can try using an unsweetened nut milk instead.
• garlic powder
• salt and pepper
• green onions or chives - garnishing with herbs are optional but recommended. You can use freshly chopped onion and chive or dried versions of either of these soft garden herbs. You can also add other soft herbs like dill or basil.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a large cooking pot, and a mixing bowl.

How to Make the Best Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

1. Cook potatoes. Place potatoes in a large pot and add enough salted water to cover and immerse the potatoes completely by about an inch. Heat over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are soft when you insert a fork.
2. Drain. Drain potatoes and place back in the pot. Use a potato masher (or a fork) to mash the potatoes.

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3. Add ingredients. Add in the butter and cheddar cheese and stir to mix until melted and incorporated into the potatoes. Slowly add in the milk and stir it into the mashed potatoes. Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and stir to incorporate.
4. Serve. Remove from heat and transfer to a serving dish, garnish with chives and extra butter, and serve warm.

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How to Serve

This Cheddar Mashed Potatoes are the perfect side dish to serve with almost all your favorite entrees. They’re also the perfect side to serve at holiday dinners this year.

Some of my favorite proteins to serve with these mashed potatoes are:

• Ribeye Steak
• Garlic Butter Shrimp
• Oven Baked Chicken Breast
• Glazed Honey Balsamic Pork Chops
• Creamy Garlic Salmon
• Garlic Butter Steak Bites
• Instant Pot Whole Roast Chicken
• Roast Beef

Storage and Freezing

How to Store

Allow leftover mashed potatoes to cool to room temperature, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

How to Freeze

You can also freeze mashed potatoes! Freeze in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe airtight container for up to three months. For individual servings, store servings in separate containers or freeze portions on a parchment-lined sheet pan for 1-3 hours before transferring to a freezer bag or container and thaw servings as you need them!

Ways to Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes

There are so many ways to repurpose leftover mashed potatoes. You can use these cheddar potatoes to make:

• Mashed Potato Soup
• Mashed Potato Balls
• Turkey and Potato Chowder
• Mashed Potato Cakes
• Homemade Cheddar and Potato Perogies

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More Potato Recipes

• 30 Potato Side Dishes
• Scalloped Potatoes
• Crispy Smashed Potatoes
• Hasselback Potatoes
• Crispy Leaf Potatoes
• Mashed Red Potatoes

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