Sometimes the simplest dishes can be the star of the meal. Level up your classic mashed potatoes with a big boost of cheddar. These Cheddar Mashed Taters are going to be making it on to your regular menu rotation for sure. The decadence of these potatoes make them great for a weeknight meal or as part of the big holiday supper.
The silky texture you get from the butter and heavy cream is nothing short of amazing. Please be sure to not try to fully incorporate the shredded cheese in, you want to just mix it in enough to be spread throughout and to melt some into the hot potatoes. If possible, just rustic-cut shredded cheese or even small blocks of cheese. The finely shredded cheese will not give you the same cheesy effect.
Yukon Gold potatoes have a great flavor for making mashed potatoes, especially when you want to leave the peels on. Unlike russets, the peels soften up when they are boiled, making it easier for you smash the potatoes up. I usually, at least cut them in half (quarters if they are really large). This serves two purposes – it shortens the cook time and lets the salted water better add to the flavor of the cooked potatoes.
If you really like the flavor of chives, you can also mix more of them in along with the salt and pepper. It does add another layer of flavor for sure. You can use fresh or dried chives in this recipe. I prefer to use white pepper in my mashed potatoes, mostly for the aesthetic appeal. If you don’t have any white pepper or just prefer black pepper, you can certainly swap them.
Now Let’s Get Cookin’!
Cheddar Mashed Taters
Ingredients
- 3 lb Yukon Gold Potatoes halved
- 2 tsp Salt divided
- ½ cup Butter
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 tsp White Pepper
- 3 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1 tsp Chives for garnish
Instructions
- Start large pot of water boiling.
- Once at a rolling boil, add one teaspoon of salt and all of the halved potatoes. Let continue to boil for 30 minutes.
- Add butter to serving bowl and melt in microwave for 30 seconds. Add heavy cream, white pepper and remaining salt, stir to combine.
- Drain potatoes in colander and immediately add to serving bowl. Mash potatoes to desired consistency, while incorporating butter mixture.
- Add cheese and gently fold into potatoes (do not stir). Let site for 5 minutes then serve with a sprinkle of chives on top.
Estelle Forrest’s self-published first cookbook – Homemade on a Weeknight: A Family Cookbook – was created after a lot of playing around in the kitchen. You can purchase your own copy here:
AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR KINDLE eBOOK VERSIONS
Estelle self-published a second cookbook – Burgers on a Weeknight – recently. It has over 60 delicious burger creations! You can purchase your own copy here:
AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR KINDLE eBOOK VERSIONS
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Oh YES! This speaks to my comfort food cravings. Thanks so much for sharing it at the TFT link party. YUM
This recipe does sound delicious. Thanks for the suggestion not to over mix the cheese into the potatoes. I’m sure I would have done just that.
Mashed potatoes are my favorite side dish. The fact that these are cheddar makes them even better!
You can’t beat proper mash! And as a Brit I approve of the use of cheddar! Thank you for sharing with us at Handmade Monday 🙂