Rich, velvety, and unbelievably smooth, these Creamy Mashed Potatoes are what every dinner table dreams of. Made with golden yellow potatoes, warm garlic-infused butter, and silky half and half, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of fluffiness and flavour. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a cozy weeknight dinner, this is the mashed potato recipe you’ll want on repeat.

Mashed potatoes are one of those deceptively simple recipes that can go from dreamy to disastrous. We’ve all had our fair share of gluey, bland batches, which is why I swear by this method. The secret? Letting the potatoes steam dry before mashing, infusing the butter with garlic for subtle depth, and warming your dairy so everything blends together seamlessly. The result is silky, luscious, creamy mashed potatoes that taste like restaurant-quality comfort food. It’s perfect alongside Crispy Fried Chicken or delicious Italian Chicken Cutlets.

😍 Why You’ll Love These Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Ultimate comfort food: buttery, smooth, and rich, this is the kind of side dish everyone looks forward to.
Restaurant-quality texture: perfectly whipped, velvety potatoes that melt in your mouth.
Garlic-infused flavour: subtle, aromatic, and perfectly balanced without being overpowering.
Crowd-pleaser: simple ingredients and classic taste will lead to everyone asking for seconds.
Easy to make: straightforward steps with big payoff every single time.

🥔 Ingredients To Make This Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Yellow potatoes: peeled and quartered, these are the key to that buttery, creamy texture. They mash great without turning gluey.
Butter: salted, rich, and indulgent, melting it with garlic infuses subtle depth and creates the foundation for these creamy mashed potatoes.
Half and half: the secret to achieving that luxurious, velvety consistency without feeling heavy.
Garlic: cloves cooked whole in the butter to release a mellow, aromatic flavour that flavours the potatoes without overpowering.
Salt: simple but essential; it enhances every buttery, creamy bite.
Fresh chives: finely chopped for a bright, oniony freshness that cuts through the richness and adds a touch of colour.

✔ How To Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Start by preparing your potatoes. Peel and quarter all the potatoes, then add them to a large pot. Fill the pot with cold water, making sure the potatoes are fully submerged and generously season with salt. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let the potatoes simmer for about 15 minutes, or until they’re fork tender.

Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and let them sit in the colander for at least 5 minutes. This allows any excess moisture to evaporate and helps prevent watery mashed potatoes.

While the potatoes are draining, making the garlic butter mixture. In a small pot over low to medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the garlic cloves and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the butter to become infused with the garlic. Be careful not to let the garlic brown.

Pour in the half and half cream and gently stir, allowing the butter and cream to come together. Bring the mixture to a light simmer, then remove the garlic cloves and turn off the heat.

🤝 Sammy’s Tip for Creamy Mashed Potatoes

• After boiling, let the potatoes sit for 5–10 minutes so excess water evaporates. This prevents watery mash.
• Overworking the potatoes can make them gummy. Mash just until creamy.
• Always warm your butter and cream before mixing so they incorporate smoothly.

Return the drained potatoes to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Using an electric potato masher, potato ricer, or hand masher, begin mashing the potatoes until smooth.

Optional step: for ultra-creamy mashed potatoes, press the mashed mixture through a fine mesh sieve using the back of a spoon to remove any remaining clumps.

Slowly pour the warmed garlic butter and cream mixture into the potatoes, a little at a time, while continuing to mash until the butter and cream are fully incorporated and you’ve reached your desired consistency. Season with salt to taste, being careful not to overmix.

If the mashed potatoes appear too dry, gradually stir in up to ¼ cup of additional warmed half and half. Garnish with freshly chopped chives before serving.

🗒 Variations

Make it extra garlicky: mash in a few extra roasted garlic cloves for a deeper, sweeter flavour.
Cheesy twist: stir in a handful of preferred shredded cheese for extra richness.
Truffle vibes: drizzle in a touch of truffle oil before serving.

🗒 Substitutions

Potatoes: if you don’t have yellow potatoes, you can use Yukon Gold.
Half and half: swap for equal parts milk and heavy cream if that’s what you have.
Butter: use plant-based butter if you’d like.

🍴 Leftovers? Lucky you.

Store any leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of cream or butter to bring back that silky texture.

🤔 FAQ’S

👩🏻‍🍳 Hungry For More? 

If you loved this Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe, then make sure to check out a few of my other favourites you may also love:

• French Onion Mac and Cheese
• Crispy Fried Chicken
• Crispy Roasted Potatoes
• Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Lemon Dill & Chive Dressing
• Honey Roasted Carrots with Whipped Feta & Crispy Garlic
• Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

💌 Let’s Stay Connected

Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest! If you do make this creamy mashed potatoes recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.