These Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes are so perfect to add to your busy holiday menu.  They make last minute preparations so much easier!

What’s the best way to cook potatoes for mashed potatoes?

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add peeled potatoes, and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes; drain. Mash, and continue with the instructions for this recipe.

How to prepare Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes:

Start with already cooked potatoes that are mashed.  Add cream cheese, sour cream and milk.  This is going to make your mashed potatoes creamy, and they won’t dry out when you’re making them ahead!  Onion salt and pepper are added for a little flavor.

If serving right away, cover and bake in a preheated oven at 325°F. for 50 minutes.  However, you can make this recipe up to several days ahead and store in the fridge. If baking cold, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes first.  Add melted butter on top and maybe some chopped chives!

Is there any way to lighten up mashed potatoes?

It’s okay to lighten this make ahead mashed potatoes recipe up a little by using low fat cream cheese and light sour cream.  Don’t skimp too much though because they’re so creamy and good if prepared as the recipe is written.

How can you keep Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes warm?

You can certainly make them ahead and keep them in a buttered slow cooker (just butter the sides of the slow cooker).  Just set it at warm, and it’ll be good to go warming for a few hours.

This is a terrific recipe for those who get nervous about preparing a lot of recipes on Thanksgiving Day. If you have a slow cooker, you can make them ahead of time and just warm them in a buttered crockpot until they’re ready to serve. So easy!

If you’re looking for delicious main dishes to serve with mashed potatoes, you might like to try my Prime Rib Roast or this Roasted Vegetable Meatloaf. Balsamic Beer-Braised Pork Roast, Beef Tenderloin with Balsamic Glaze and Rosemary and Garlic Leg of Lamb Roast are great pairings with mashed potatoes too!

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