If you are ready to wow your family and friends with a dish that is comfort food elevated to a whole new level, you need to try the Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes Recipe. This rich, creamy, and flavorful mashed potato dish combines simple ingredients with a slow-cooker method that allows the flavors to fully develop, creating irresistibly fluffy potatoes with just the right hint of savory goodness. It’s a perfect side that feels luxurious without any fuss, making it a must-have recipe for holidays, weeknight dinners, or whenever you crave something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may seem straightforward, but each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect texture and taste of the Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes Recipe. From the fluffy russet potatoes to the creamy cheese and buttery richness, no step or ingredient is wasted.
- Russet potatoes (5 pounds): The perfect potato for mashing because of their high starch content, resulting in fluffy and smooth mashed potatoes.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, cubed): Adds a silky richness without overpowering the other flavors.
- Chicken broth (3 cups): Infuses the potatoes with savory depth and keeps them moist during cooking.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, cubed): Provides a tangy creaminess that takes the mash to the next level.
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon): Delivers a gentle garlic flavor that complements the potatoes without stealing the show.
- Salt, to taste: Essential to bring all the flavors into perfect balance.
- Pepper, to taste: Adds just a touch of warmth and spice to finish off the dish.
How to Make Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker
Begin by adding your peeled and chopped russet potatoes into a large slow cooker along with the chicken broth. The broth not only cooks the potatoes gently but also infuses them with a rich flavor beneath the surface. Top the potatoes with the cubed unsalted butter, scattered evenly to melt into every bite as they cook.
Step 2: Cook Potatoes
Set your slow cooker to low and let it work its magic for 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re pressed for time, the high setting for 3 to 4 hours will do. The goal here is to get the potatoes meltingly tender — so tender they practically fall apart at a gentle touch. This slow cooking enhances the natural potato flavor while soaking up the buttery broth.
Step 3: Drain and Mash
Once your potatoes are beautifully soft, carefully strain off the cooking liquid but don’t discard it. Reserve this flavorful broth to add back later to achieve the perfect mashed potato consistency. Use a hand masher or potato ricer to mash the potatoes until they reach your ideal fluffiness — whether you like them silky smooth or with a little texture.
Step 4: Add Cream Cheese and Seasonings
Now, the moment where the magic truly happens: pour half of the reserved cooking liquid over your mashed potatoes, then add the garlic powder and dot the surface with the cubed cream cheese. Cover the slow cooker again and switch it to the “warm” setting for 20 to 30 minutes. This step allows the cream cheese to soften and meld deeply with the potatoes, creating incredible creaminess that’s just heavenly.
Step 5: Stir and Adjust Consistency
Give everything a good stir to mix the softened cream cheese throughout the potatoes. If you want your mash a bit looser or creamier, slowly stir in more of the reserved liquid until you reach your preferred texture. Then, season generously with salt and pepper to taste — this final step ensures every bite is perfectly seasoned.
Step 6: Keep Warm and Serve
Keep your Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes on the “warm” setting of your slow cooker for up to an hour before serving so they stay perfectly cozy and ready to enjoy. This dish shines best hot and fresh, with the velvety creaminess that makes it such a crowd pleaser.
How to Serve Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped chives or parsley adds a bright pop of color and freshness to balance the rich creaminess of the potatoes. You can also top with crispy fried onions for a delightful crunch or a drizzle of browned butter for extra decadence.
Side Dishes
Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes pair beautifully with roasted meats like turkey, beef, or chicken, soaking up all the savory juices. They also complement classic green beans, glazed carrots, or a fresh salad, making any meal feel like a special occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
For an impressive touch, serve the mashed potatoes in a hollowed-out bread bowl or as individual portions in ramekins topped with a sprinkle of cheese and grilled briefly under a broiler for a golden crust. You can even swirl in roasted garlic or caramelized onions for an extra flavor twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors meld even more as they rest, making them perfect for next-day meals.
Freezing
You can freeze the mashed potatoes in portion-sized containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months. Be sure to cool them completely before freezing and leave some headspace for expansion.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. Stir occasionally and add a splash of broth or milk to restore creaminess without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of potato for this recipe?
Russet potatoes are preferred because they are starchy and yield a fluffy texture, but you can experiment with Yukon Gold for a creamier, buttery taste though the texture may be slightly different.
Is it possible to make this recipe without cream cheese?
While cream cheese adds richness and tang, you can substitute with sour cream or mascarpone for a different but equally tasty variation.
Can I make this dish on the stove instead of a slow cooker?
Yes! Boil the potatoes until tender, then mash and add butter, broth, and cream cheese as you would. The slow cooker just makes it hands-off and extra flavorful.
What should I do if my mashed potatoes are too thick?
Simply add more of the reserved potato cooking liquid or a bit of warm milk to loosen the mash to your preferred consistency.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth to keep the dish fully vegetarian without sacrificing flavor.
Final Thoughts
If you want a mashed potato recipe that feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy to make, the Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes Recipe is your new go-to. It’s a dish that turns a humble side into a star with every creamy, buttery bite. Give it a try, and I promise it will quickly become a favorite staple in your kitchen — your family will thank you!
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Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes are a rich, creamy, and indulgent side dish made by slow cooking russet potatoes in chicken broth and butter, then mashed and combined with cream cheese and seasonings. This recipe produces velvety smooth potatoes perfect for holiday dinners or special family meals.
Ingredients
Potatoes and Broth
- 5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 3 cups chicken broth
Butter and Cheese
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cubed
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the peeled and cut russet potatoes and chicken broth into a large slow cooker. Dot the top with cubed unsalted butter to distribute richness during cooking.
- Cook Potatoes: Set the slow cooker to low and cook the potatoes for 6 to 8 hours, or use the high setting for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Drain and Mash: Once cooking is complete, carefully strain off the cooking liquid, reserving it for later use. Mash the potatoes to your preferred consistency using a hand masher or potato ricer for smoothness.
- Add Cream Cheese and Seasonings: Pour half of the reserved cooking liquid over the mashed potatoes for added moisture. Add the garlic powder and dot the surface with cubed cream cheese. Cover the slow cooker and switch it to the “warm” setting, allowing the cream cheese to soften for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Stir and Adjust Consistency: Stir the softened cream cheese thoroughly into the mashed potatoes. Add more of the reserved cooking liquid as needed to achieve the desired consistency. Season the mixture with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Keep Warm and Serve: Keep the mashed potatoes warm on the slow cooker’s “warm” setting for up to 1 hour before serving to maintain the creamy texture and flavor.
Notes
- Using russet potatoes ensures a fluffy and creamy texture perfect for mashing.
- Adjust the amount of reserved cooking liquid to get the potatoes as creamy or as thick as you like.
- For extra richness, you can add a splash of heavy cream or sour cream.
- If you want a dairy-free version, substitute the butter and cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives.
- These mashed potatoes can be prepared a day ahead and gently reheated on the warm setting.
