Description
A comforting and creamy baked cheesy mashed potatoes recipe featuring tender mashed potatoes mixed with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and butter, then baked to golden perfection with a crispy cheesy top. Perfect as a make-ahead side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 3 lbs russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
Mashed Potato Mixture
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ½ cup whole milk, warmed
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Topping
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped fresh chives or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the mashed potatoes don’t stick during baking.
- Boil Potatoes: Place the peeled and chunked potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork.
- Drain and Mash Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot. Add the unsalted butter, sour cream, warmed whole milk, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy, making sure the mixture is well combined.
- Mix in Cheddar Cheese: Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly into the mashed potatoes, creating a rich and cheesy flavor throughout the mixture.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the cheesy mashed potatoes into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. This will create a nice base for the crispy cheese topping.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese along with the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the mashed potatoes to create a golden crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly, indicating the cheese has melted and formed a crispy crust.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle. Garnish with chopped fresh chives or parsley if desired for a fresh finish.
Notes
- For extra richness, substitute half of the milk with heavy cream.
- This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated, then baked just before serving.
- Try mixing in cooked bacon or caramelized onions for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
