Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (2024)

My Aunt Shirley is famous for her creamy mashed potatoes! They are SO fluffy, creamy, and have TONS of flavor. They are like soft pillowy clouds that melt in your mouth. I could describe them forever but you’re just going to have to make them! A very unique recipe. Originally posted November 7, 2017.

Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (1)
Table of Contents
  1. This Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe is a family favorite!
  2. Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes: A Thanksgiving staple
  3. Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese
  4. How to make Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
  5. What to pair with the Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes
  6. How to store this Mashed Potatoes Recipe with Cream Cheese
  7. More great potato recipes to try out!
  8. Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe with Cream Cheese Recipe

Did you know that Costco has FREE home delivery?? Did you know that the delivery person will even bring you a portion of the free food samples that you missed at the store??

Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (2)

Just kidding. I had you there for a minute, didn’t I? Come on don’t lie.

I went through all the things they brought me and thought, man, this is super boring. No hidden chocolate covered pretzels? No fancy bread from the bakery? Just bulk ground beef and 25 pounds of flour? Boo.

Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (3)

I was pretty excited about the delivery option but now I’m thinking I’ll probably still go to the store most of the time. Sure, I saved tons of money because I didn’t impulse buy 3 entire flats of mangos. But come on, sometimes you just don’t know in advance that you’re going to NEED those two enormous jars of Nutella. Or a giant jar of chocolate-vanilla coconut cashews (Have you HAD those?? Omg.) And don’t forget the cheese! Sell me all the fancy cheese! I definitely need 2 pounds of gouda.

Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (4)

Someday when I’m in debtor’s prison the other inmates will ask me, Karen, how did you end up here? Did you buy a mansion you couldn’t afford, did you drive a Ferrari? And I’ll say no, I bought 1000 pounds of gummy bears every week at Costco.

This Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe is a family favorite!

So have you ever tried my Aunt Shirley’s Famous Dinner Rolls? They are the butteriest, most pillow soft rolls of your life. I usually don’t even bother with real dinner when I eat them, just go for the gold with 3 rolls slathered in butter for dinner instead.

Shirley is an incredible baker but she’s also got mashed potatoes DOWN. This recipe is legendary. I had never actually made them before today, I’ve just been eating them for years at every holiday of my life. But I finally got the recipe from her and found out all her secrets. I knew she added cream cheese (lots; a whole 8 ounce package) but I didn’t realize how unique the rest of the recipe was.

Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (5)

First you boil the potatoes WITH a chopped onion and minced garlic. This way the onion and garlic get nice and mellowed (say no to stinky breath) but the potatoes still retain amazing flavor when it all comes together. The she adds chicken bouillon and Lawry’s seasoned salt. This is genius; it’s kind of like adding a little bit of gravy to your mashed potatoes. So delicious.

Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes: A Thanksgiving staple

You can season it with a bit of pepper if you like, but I found it didn’t need it. Let the creaminess speak for itself!! You should totally make these potatoes for Thanksgiving. They are the ones I ate every year growing up! Just don’t take the last serving without double checking with everyone. There is a legendary story of my brother Eric taking a second helping of these creamy mashed potatoes before my cousin Amber had had any to begin with, and it was basically a tragedy.

I mean, I know that’s melodramatic, but seriously what if YOU were 12 and didn’t get any Thanksgiving mashed potatoes? What else is there to eat when you’re 12 and kinda picky? (The rolls, I guess.) I know this story like the back of my hand and I wasn’t even ALIVE when it happened, no joke. People have got FEELINGS about mashed potatoes.Eric’s never gonna live it down.

Maybe make a double batch just in case. We ate ours tonight with some pan seared salmon. Mm. Mashed potatoes makes everything amazing!

Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (6)

Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Here’s a quick shopping list to help you gather your ingredients. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions!

  • Russet potatoes
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Cream cheese
  • Seasoned salt
  • Salted butter
  • Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
  • Fresh parsley (optional garnish)

How to make Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Here’s a quick overview of how to make this recipe. Full instructions can be found in the recipe card below!

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
  2. Peel the potatoes and chop them into 1 or 2 inch pieces.
  3. Chop the onion. Smash and mince the garlic.
  4. Add the potatoes, onions, and garlic to the pot of boiling water. Bring it back up to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer.
  5. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are very fork tender.
  6. Drain the potatoes carefully, then return them to the pot.
  7. Add the cream cheese, butter, chicken bouillon, and seasoned salt.
  8. Whip the potatoes with an electric mixer until creamy.
Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (7)
Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (8)
Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (9)

Lawryyyyy’s. It’s kind of a famous secret ingredient in our family, for lots of recipes.

Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (10)

What to pair with the Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Obviously a Thanksgiving turkey and all the other sides. But I make these year-round as the dreamiest, creamiest side dish ever. Here are some of my favorite mashed potato companions.

Easy Fall-Apart Crockpot Roast

Easy Salisbury Steak Recipe (30 Minutes)

1770 House Meatloaf

Baked Ham with Raspberry Chipotle Ham Glaze

Famous Buttery Dinner Rolls

Make Ahead Green Beans

How to store this Mashed Potatoes Recipe with Cream Cheese

These mashed potatoes will stay good in the fridge for 3-5 days. Store them in a container with a lid and heat up as much as you need at one time. You can also freeze them for up to a month or two. When you’re ready to eat them, defrost them in the fridge overnight before heating. They’ll reheat best on the stovetop in a pot in small portions, like 1-2 cups at a time.

More great potato recipes to try out!

Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes: << Say no to gravy. Yes to brown butter.

Slow Cooker Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes << Perfect way to save on stove top space on Thanksgiving.

Ultra Creamy, Cheesy, Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes << Make these ahead and bake last minute. They are sooooo cheesy.

Mashed Potato Casserole from House of Yumm

Stuffed Mashed Potato Patties from Alyona’s Cooking

Spiced Mashed Potatoes with Ginger and Ghee from Buttered Veg

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Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (11)

Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe with Cream Cheese

4.95 from 20 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Servings: 10 Servings

Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (12)

My Aunt Shirley is famous for her mashed potatoes! They are SO creamy, fluffy, and have TONS of flavor. They are like soft pillowy clouds that melt in your mouth. I could describe them forever but you’re just going to have to make them! A very unique recipe.

Ingredients

  • 8-10 large russet potatoes, 5 pounds, peeled
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, fresh, smashed and minced
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup salted butter, 1 stick
  • 2 tablespoons Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons Lawry's seasoned salt, taste it
  • minced parsley, fresh, to garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.

  • Peel the potatoes and chop them into 1 or 2 inch pieces. (See photos)

  • Chop the onion. Smash and mince the garlic. (You can use garlic from the jar in a pinch, but fresh is always better.)

  • Add the potatoes, onions, and garlic to the pot of boiling water. Bring it back up to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer.

  • Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are very fork tender.

  • Drain the potatoes carefully. I always use the lid and tip it over the sink but this can be a little heavy. Use a large colander if you have one. Return to the pot.

  • Add the cream cheese, butter, chicken bouillon, and 1 teaspoonseasoned salt.

  • Use an electric mixer to whip the potatoes until ultra creamy. You shouldn't need to whip more than 1-2 minutes. Make sure you scrape the sides and bottom with a spatula. Don't over mix; once it's whipped, turn off the mixer.

  • Taste it and see if you would like to add up to 1 more teaspoon of seasoned salt.

  • Garnish with fresh parsley if you’re a food blogger and need to post pictures of pretty food on the internet. Otherwise you can safely skip this step ;)

Notes

*I like to use the Better than Bouillon brand, it’s a paste that you store in the refrigerator after opening. It adds so much flavor! But if you don’t have any, instant chicken bouillon granules will work too. That’s what the original recipe calls for. Oh and I almost forgot, I used 1 tablespoon of chicken and one tablespoon of TURKEY base. Love that stuff. It’s got tons of flavor. It’s perfect for making Make Ahead Turkey Gravy, too.

Source: This recipe, is, of course, from Aunt Shirley. :)

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 398kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 413mg | Potassium: 1286mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 591IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 398

Keyword: mashed potatoes

Did you make this? I’d love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

Categorized as Christmas Recipes, Easter Recipes, , Thanksgiving

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Aunt Shirley's Mashed Potatoes Recipe from The Food Charlatan (2024)

FAQs

What do professional chefs use to mash potatoes? ›

Ultra-Creamy Mashed Potatoes

The ricer is the most efficient tool because one single pass is all it takes to get the job done. Epicurious food editor Jesse Szewczyk is a staunch advocate for the kitchen tool: “A ricer is something that can't be replicated or replaced.

Why do restaurant mashed potatoes taste better? ›

Garlic and herbs are added to boost flavor

Instead of boiling a few potatoes and mashing them plain, a lot of restaurant chefs like to apply a little more finesse. Garlic and herbs infused in butter and cream add a flavor boost without overpowering.

Why do people put an egg in their mashed potatoes? ›

Adding egg yolks to a pot of mashed potatoes is an easy, dairy-free texture and taste upgrade that doesn't require any special techniques. The yolks harbor all the flavorful fats and emulsifying components and will thus effectively unify the fat and water in potatoes, translating to a smoother, uniformly creamy pot.

Why do you put vinegar in mashed potatoes? ›

The addition of a mildly acidic vinegar to a starchy veggie like potatoes not only deepens the flavor profile, but it also helps to tenderize the tubers.

What does Rachael Ray use to mash potatoes? ›

Mash potatoes with half-and-half or milk using a potato masher. Add in the cream cheese and smash until the cheese melts into the potatoes. Add chives or scallions. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste.

How do restaurants make mashed potatoes so fast? ›

Restaurants prepare the potatoes ahead by boiling and mashing just the potato, then just before serving, it is mixed into boiling cream (or milk or even broth or a combination thereof) to reheat it and make it nice and creamy.

Is milk or sour cream better for mashed potatoes? ›

Use whole milk for the creamiest results. Sour cream – Technically, this ingredient is optional. If you skip it, the recipe will still come out great. But for the best mashed potatoes, I highly recommend folding it in!

Why are Bob Evans mashed potatoes so good? ›

Made with fresh red skin potatoes, butter, and real buttermilk, Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes tastes like homemade. We put extra care into making our mashed potatoes rich and creamy to deliver that homemade flavor your family expects.

What not to do mashed potatoes? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make With Mashed Potatoes
  1. You Don't Wash Potatoes First. ...
  2. You Use Just One Type of Potato. ...
  3. You Don't Season the Water. ...
  4. You Add Potato Pieces to Boiling Water. ...
  5. You Use the Wrong Gadget to Mash the Potatoes. ...
  6. You Only Use Butter. ...
  7. You Make the Potatoes Too Soon.
Jun 15, 2021

Why do people add sour cream to mashed potatoes? ›

Sour cream adds a little bit of tangy flavor and a boost of richness to mashed potatoes. It's a fun change from the standard milk or cream and butter combo usually flavoring mashed taters. You can even try your hand at making homemade sour cream from heavy cream!

Why do they scream mashed potatoes? ›

Mashed potato came from one golfer wanting his mum to spot him on TV. Andrew Widmar first shouted it at the 2011 Chevron World Challenge after Tiger hit a stinger.

What makes mashed potatoes gluey? ›

When potatoes are mashed, starch is released. The more you work the potatoes, the more starch gets released. When too much starch gets released, the potatoes become gummy, gluey, and unappetizing.

How do you make mashed potatoes fluffy and not gluey? ›

For mashed potatoes that are smooth without being gummy, a potato ricer is your best bet. It gently presses the potato into fine pieces, so all that's left to do is add your liquid and a pat or two of butter.

Should you rinse boiled potatoes before mashing? ›

Set potatoes over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until potatoes are completely tender, about 15 minutes after reaching a simmer. Drain potatoes in a colander and rinse under hot running water for 30 seconds to wash away excess starch.

What is the best tool for mashing potatoes? ›

The Oxo Good Grips stainless steel smooth potato masher is the best overall potato masher. Its fine, alternating grid pattern produces silky smooth mashed potatoes and can also quickly other ingredients such as mashed root vegetables and fruit.

What kitchen gadget is used to mash potatoes? ›

A potato ricer is widely regarded as the best tool for mashed potatoes that are smooth and fluffy. Built like a big garlic press, it works by pushing cooked potatoes (one or two at a time) through a perforated grate, creating stringy, broken-down potato bits without releasing a ton of starch.

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