Potatoes are such a perfect side dish for weeknight meals. They are a great starch option, and they are super versatile, so you can make them work with most any type of cuisine. My family especially loves mashed potatoes, so I decided to give my rustic potatoes a little kick in the pants by adding some pepper jack cheese. They turned out so ooey and gooey! So next time you plan to make meat and potatoes for dinner, consider making these Rustic Pepper Jack Potatoes.
What makes them rustic you might be asking yourself. Well, in my family, it’s how we specify with or without the peel. Rustic means the peel is left on and mashed in. They also tend to be a bit more lumpy or chunky, not smooth mashed. If we just say mashed potatoes, we mean smooth and creamy, little to no lumps peeled potatoes. I usually decide which to make based on what I am serving them with. If I need something of texture, I’ll go rustic, but if I have that texture elsewhere, I will go with the creamier mashed potatoes. That said, you can add pepper jack cheese to your creamy mashed potatoes, too!
Substitutes and Variations:
This particular recipe uses pepper jack cheese, which stands to reason you can really use any kind of melty cheese. I have done smoked gouda, as well as a habenaro white cheddar before. As long as the cheese will melt easily without producing too much extra fat/oil, it will work. I specified white pepper for this recipe – this is a preferred ingredient whenever I make smashed or mashed potatoes. I just dont care for seeing the pieces of black peppercorns in the dish.
Suggestions for Sides:
Meat and potatoes is a classic combo because it’s seriously the best combo. And these potatoes go with just abojt any meat. Fantastic with some seared steaks, a grilled chicken breast, some bone-in pork chops, truly any kind of meat.
Tools that may make this recipe easier:
You will need a good potato smasher for this recipe. I prefer a long handled variety with open-ended edges on the smashing part. I just find this easier to use and easier to clean in the end.
Now Let’s Get Cookin’!
Rustic Pepper Jack Potatoes
Equipment
- 1 Potato Smasher
Ingredients
- 5 lb Russet Potatoes quartered
- 1 lb Pepper Jack Cheese chopped
- ½ cup Butter
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp White Pepper
Instructions
- Add potatoes to a large pot. Fill with enough water to cover the potatoes, and add half a teaspoon of salt. Place over medium-high heat.
- Let cook at a rolling boil until the potatoes are fork tender. Then drain in a colander and transfer to serving bowl.
- Add butter, cream, white pepper and remaining salt. Use a potato smasher to mash and smash the potatoes to desired level of smoothness.
- Fold in chopped cheese and then let sit for around 5 minutes before serving.
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Oh my! These look delicious!
We featured your awesome post! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday, 752! Come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen