14 of the Best Mashed Potato Recipes We’ve Ever Tasted (2024)

Mashed-Potato Egg Casserole

If you enjoy recipes with mashed potatoes as much as we do, you won’t want to leave the spuds on the side. In this hearty casserole recipe, a generous bed of creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes—complete with a full russet per person—sets the foundation for the main event. Crack eggs on top and bake until the yolks reach your desired consistency, then finish the dish with a handful of citrus-dressed peppery arugula to cut through the richness. Scoop up a serving for brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Loaded Potato Dip

For times when we’re seeking more of a snack, this hot dip is always a slam dunk. Use leftover mashed potatoes from last night to get a jump on this, one of the best mashed potato recipes for parties. Or start from scratch using one of the easy mashed potato recipes ahead; just make sure you add it to your next party menu for a surefire winner.

Test Kitchen Tip: Bake this potato dip in a communal pie plate or skillet, or in individual ramekins (leaving the cooked bacon on the side) so each diner can garnish as desired.

Mashed Yukon Golds with Parsley Butter

Chives might be the more popular herb accent for potatoes, true. But after dressing up this easy mashed potato recipe with melted butter that’s infused with leeks, garlic, and another fresh herb—parsley—we might have a new Test Kitchen favorite. Spoon the herbaceous butter on top of the bowl, or gently fold it in to swirl ribbons of verdant flavor through the silky mashed potatoes.

Classic Mashed Potatoes

This is it: The absolute best mashed potato recipe if you’re seeking a streamlined spud recipe that will transport you back to your childhood table. Choose from one of the three best-for-mashing potato types, then simply boil, drain, and mash with the perfect ratio of butter, cream (milk or half-and-half also work), salt, and pepper. Once you’ve mastered the original, try our garlic, celery root, and cauliflower variations on the theme.

Related: 4 Tools You Need to Make the Best Mashed Potatoes Ever

Garlic-Herb Smashed New Potatoes

Some cooks call this style "rustic;" others deem it a "smashed" potato recipe. Whatever title you select, the strategy is usually the same: Keep the peels on and mash until the mix-ins are just combined, rather than blending into a smooth consistency. We adore the chunky, satisfying texture, the time-saving process (no need to mash until your arm muscles ache!), and how it allows the crispy bacon and variety of fresh herbs to shine.

Mashed Potato Veggie Strata

Whether you’re trying to use up extra potatoes from your collection or need to steer clear of wheat, this gluten-free breakfast casserole is our no. 1 recommendation for your breakfast for dinner or brunch entrée. Stratas usually revolve around cubes of bread soaked in an egg custard, all dressed up with vegetables, cheese, and protein. But this recipe with mashed potatoes calls for a base of smooth russets.

Cheesy Mashed Potato Pots

For when you’re not in the mood to share, this is among the best mashed potato recipes. Single-serving side for the win! Since they bake quicker in small packages, you’re just 35 minutes away from four overflowing pots of “yummy comfort food,” according to one BHG home cook. With just enough cream and cheese to lend richness and flavor without overwhelming the buttery-textured potatoes, each cheesy bowl is ready to be finished off with your favorite accents.

Test Kitchen Tip: We like to serve these buffet-style with an array of topping options, such as cooked bacon, diced ham, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, chives, shredded cheese, or even leftover chili, shredded chicken, or taco meat.

Mashed Potatoes Four Ways

In case we haven’t fully convinced you yet that your options can go far beyond just potatoes, butter, and milk, allow us to introduce the ultimate choose-your-own adventure easy mashed potato recipe. Start with russet, red, gold, or sweet potato to set the scene for the original cream cheese-infused mashers. Once you see how simple this slow cooker side dish is to execute, you’ll be searching for excuses to try the other three twists: bacon-Cheddar-chive, smoky Mexican, tangy herb and garlic.

Smashed Potato Chicken Pot Pie

If you’re lucky enough to have leftover chicken or turkey from a holiday (or any day) dinner, refresh it in this cozy yet company-worthy recipe with mashed potatoes. Think of this chicken pot pie like shortcut chicken and dumplings! Frozen vegetables, canned chicken stock, and store-bought or leftover potatoes team up for one of the easiest comfort food dinners ever.

Oregano Butter and Bacon Potatoes

One bit of this streamlined side dish will be all the proof you need that many times, simple is best. Round up four ingredients and invest just 15 minutes of prep time, and you’re all set to add this easy mashed potato recipe to your menu tonight. A generous dose of butter, a shower of fresh oregano, and a half slice of bacon per person ensure each serving definitely qualifies for the “loaded mashed potato” category.

Related: 23 Easy 5-Ingredient Meals to Include in Your Weeknight Repertoire

Cauliflower-Potato Mash

With 2 pounds of cauliflower and 1 ½ pounds of Yukon golds, this lower-carb mashed potato recipe delivers the texture and decadence you crave in luscious mashed potatoes, just in a subtly lighter package. We’ll coach you through exactly how much milk, olive oil, and coconut oil to add to make this creamy side dish almost a flavor twin to its traditional all-potato peers. Pair this with a protein and another vegetable side, and no one will even miss the bread or extra potatoes.

Rustic Garlic Mashed Potatoes

“I love these potatoes,” one BHG fan raves. “I give these an easy 5 stars.” Since this is designed as a slow-cooker mashed-potato recipe and you can score 12 servings from that same pot, it ranks among our best make-ahead holiday side dish recipes of all time. Simply cook the potatoes low and slow in a mixture of chicken broth, garlic, and bay leaf. A few hours in, drain the potatoes (reserving the liquid), mash with milk, and add just enough of that reserved broth blend to reach your desired creaminess level. The broth basically offers all the seasoning you might need, although you can certainly season to taste just before serving.

Mashed New Potatoes

When we're in a hurry but are in the mood for to mash, we frequently turn to this fast and simple stovetop side dish. Since the easy mashed potato recipe only asks for garlic, butter, milk, olive oil, salt, and pepper, chances are high that you won't even need to make a special grocery store stop if you want to follow our lead. To make each batch taste fresh and new, finish it with a handful of any fresh greens that are thriving in your herb gardens.

Lemon Garlic Mashed Potatoes

At first glance, citrus in a mashed potato recipe might not quite make sense. But once you dive deeper and realize that these buttery, garlicky Yukon golds are flavored with bright fresh parsley and salty, briny capers, it all starts to come together. The tang is just the ticket to balance and highlight the other elements. A five-star reviewer says, “I love this recipe because all the flavors are subtle, but go together so nicely.”