Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese (Naughty Mashed Potatoes)

Name: Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces); 8 Tablespoons salted butter (softened); 4 ounces cream cheese (softened); 2 cups heavy cream; Salt and pepper to taste

The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.

This Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese recipe is a bit on the naughty side because they’re made with Yukon Gold potatoes, butter, cream, and cream cheese (we told you they were naughty!). They’re the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and family dinners.

These mashed potatoes serve 12 people and cost $7.21 to make. That is only $0.61 per serving!

We love making our Instant Pot Turkey Gravy during the holidays to serve with the potatoes.

Mashed Potatoes With Cream Cheese in a white serving bowl with pads of melted butter on top.

Our sister Jenna makes these creamy mashed potatoes. Read the ingredients, and you’ll get why they’re naughty! They’re full of butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Oh my!

Jenna LOVES mashed potatoes, especially when they’re creamy. She remembers begging mom to make homemade mashed potatoes. Mom was a working mom with no resources like Easy Budget Recipes to help, so her go-to was potato pearls. Those will do in a pinch but not the best tasting for sure.

Fast forward to college and Jenna went to her first Thanksgiving away from home at a friend’s house and it was there where she had the best mashed potatoes of her life. She told the friend of her love for mashed potatoes and that she needed the recipe.

He used whipping cream instead of milk. As Jenna continued on with her love of mashed potatoes she says, “through the years I have tried to make them even better so I started adding in cream cheese and voilà, the perfect naughty mashed potatoes!”

We know you will agree after making this recipe for mashed potatoes!

INGREDIENTS AND COST

RECIPE COST: $7.21

PER SERVING COST: $0.61

5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes – $3.47
8 Tablespoons salted butter – $0.80
4 ounces cream cheese – $0.98
2 cups heavy cream – $1.94
Salt and pepper to taste – $0.02

To find out more on how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.

All of the ingredients needed t make creamy mashed potatoes.

INSTRUCTIONS

First, cut the potatoes into cubes and over them with water.
Boil them until they are fork-tender.
Next, drain the potatoes.
Then, add in the butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream and mash the potatoes until creamy.
Finally, season to taste with salt and pepper.

A picture collage of how to make mashed potatoes with cream cheese.

RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

If you wanted to make these a little less “naughty”, then you can use milk (anything but skim) instead of cream. You can also use low-fat cream cheese, too.
Sometimes we like to add shredded sharp cheddar cheese instead of cream cheese and add in ¼ cup of chopped chives.
If you’d like to give these mashed potatoes with cream cheese some extra flavor, try throwing in a couple of chicken bouillon cubes in the water while the potatoes boil.

STORAGE TIPS

Serve: As with most recipes with dairy products in them, you shouldn’t leave these out for longer than 2 hours. I doubt they will last that long anyway!
Store: Store the potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Freeze: Mashed potatoes are definitely freezer-friendly. Place them in a large Ziploc bag and store them in the freezer. They are best if used within one month.

COOK’S TOOLS

cutting board
vegetable peeler
chef’s knife
large pot
potato masher

A close up picture of a spoon picking up some mashed potatoes made with cream.

RECIPE FAQ’s

What is the best potato for mashed potatoes and why?

To get the creamiest, smoothest, and fluffiest mashed potatoes the best potatoes to use are the higher starch potatoes like Russets or Yukon golds. Using waxy potatoes, like red or white, can lead to potato paste because it takes more mashing to get them to turn creamy. That’s not good for anyone!

Are mashed potatoes better with milk or cream?

We prefer to use cream in our mashed potatoes. This produces those rich and creamy potatoes that you love. However, if you are looking to cut down on the fat then you can substitute milk for the cream.

Do you peel potatoes before boiling for mashed potatoes?

The answer is either way! It comes down to personal preference. Jess likes the skins left on because of the texture and flavor they add to the dish. However, it is still super yummy to peel them first before boiling.

GET KIDS INVOLVED

Ages 2-3: Give them a masher and let them help mash the potatoes. They will love it!
Ages 4-5: Let them put the additional ingredients into the potatoes and mix them up.
Ages 6-8: Teach them how to properly wash and clean the potatoes as well as cut them into cubes.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.

BUDGET TIPS

If you need a side dish to feed a crowd without breaking the bank, then these mashed potatoes with cream cheese recipe is for you. Potatoes are inexpensive,, and this recipe makes a lot for only $0.60 per serving.

An overhead picture of creamy mashed potatoes made with cream cheese.

MORE SIDE DISHES

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