Party Mashed Potatoes – Ultra-Creamy, Crowd-Sized & Perfect for Holidays or Gatherings

Party Mashed Potatoes – Ultra-Creamy, Crowd-Sized & Perfect for Holidays or Gatherings

These Party Mashed Potatoes are soft, buttery, ultra-creamy, and specially designed to feed a crowd — without sacrificing flavor or texture. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving feast, potluck, large family gathering, or just want a no-stress side dish that everyone will love, this recipe delivers big-batch comfort with minimal effort. Fluffy mashed potatoes are enriched with butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and warm seasonings, then baked until lightly golden and irresistibly smooth. They stay creamy for hours, reheat beautifully, and pair with absolutely everything — roast beef, turkey, ham, chicken, seafood, or vegetarian mains. If you want mashed potatoes that taste gourmet but require almost no last-minute prep, these Party Mashed Potatoes are your new go-to.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Servings: 12 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

5 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup sour cream
8 oz cream cheese softened
1 cup milk or half-and-half warm
½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick, melted
2 teaspoons garlic powder or roasted garlic purée
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Optional: ½ teaspoon onion powder
Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley
Optional topping: extra melted butter shredded cheddar, or paprika

Equipment

Large stock pot
Potato masher or hand mixer
Large mixing bowl
9×13 baking dish
Aluminum foil
Wooden spoon or spatula

Method

Step 1: Cook the Potatoes

Place peeled, cut potatoes in a large pot.
Cover with cold salted water by 1 inch.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium.
Cook 15–18 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender.
Drain well.

Step 2: Mash the Potatoes

Mash potatoes using a masher or hand mixer (low speed only).

Step 3: Add Creamy Ingredients

Mix in:
melted butter
sour cream
cream cheese
warm milk or half-and-half
garlic powder
salt
pepper
Stir until smooth, fluffy, and creamy.
Add milk slowly until desired consistency is achieved.
Taste and adjust seasoning.

Step 4: Bake the Mashed Potatoes

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Spread mashed potatoes into a 9×13 baking dish.
Dot with extra butter on top if desired.
Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake 10 additional minutes to lightly brown the top.

Step 5: Serve

Garnish with:
herbs (chives or parsley)
cracked pepper
extra melted butter
Serve warm and watch them disappear.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: 4 days
Freezer: 2 months (freeze in an airtight container)

Reheat options:

Oven: 350°F for 20 minutes

Slow cooker: 2–3 hours on warm

Microwave: Stir occasionally for even reheating

Add a splash of milk while reheating to restore creaminess.

🥄 Variations

Loaded Party Mashed Potatoes – Add bacon, cheddar, and green onion.

Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes – Stir in roasted garlic + rosemary.

Creamy Parmesan Potatoes – Add ½ cup parmesan.

Holiday Cranberry Swirl – Top with cranberry sauce for a festive twist.

Extra Rich Version – Use heavy cream instead of milk.

Smoky Mash – Add smoked paprika or smoked gouda.

Chive & Cream Cheese – Use chive-and-onion cream cheese.

Sour Cream & Onion – Add onion powder + extra sour cream.

Vegan Party Potatoes – Use vegan butter + coconut cream + almond milk.

Rustic Style – Leave skins on and lightly mash for texture.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I make these mashed potatoes ahead?
Yes! They’re designed to be made ahead and reheated.

How do I keep them warm for a party?
Place in a slow cooker on warm.

Can I use red potatoes?
Yes — they give a creamier, softer mash.

Why warm the milk?
Warm milk absorbs better and keeps potatoes fluffy.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely.

How do I avoid gluey potatoes?
Mash gently and avoid overmixing.

Can I make these without cream cheese?
Yes — replace with extra sour cream.

How do I get a crispy top?
Broil 2–3 minutes after baking.

Can I halve the recipe?
Yes — use a smaller baking dish.

Can I freeze mashed potatoes?
Yes — they freeze very well.

🏁 Conclusion

These Party Mashed Potatoes are creamy, buttery, rich, and perfectly designed for crowds — the kind of side dish people scoop seconds (and thirds!) of. They require almost no last-minute work, pair with any holiday main, and deliver the comforting, cozy flavor everyone loves.

Whether it’s Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving, a potluck, or a big family gathering, these mashed potatoes bring warmth, comfort, and homemade goodness straight to the table.