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
Scale
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.
