Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Smooth, rich and creamy Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes that are perfect for holidays! This potato casserole is rich and flavorful from the addition of butter and sour cream. Whip up your mashed potatoes the day before the holidays and reheat to save time and stress.

Making side dishes ahead of time is a smart way to help free up your time during the holidays and it lessens the stress of making a big meal! One of my favorite make-ahead recipes is homemade mashed potatoes.

You can prep make ahead mashed potatoes up to two days ahead, chill them, and then pop them in the oven when you’re ready to eat! Having one less thing the day of the big meal makes a big difference. These make ahead mashed potatoes are so delicious. I make them with cream cheese, sour cream, and butter. They are so rich and creamy and are the best side for roast turkey or baked ham!

Why You’ll Love Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

• These are exactly what the name says the are — the perfect make ahead dish. prep the ingredients, whip them into a creamy mash, and then store them in a baking dish in the refrigerator.
• This recipe is a staple for our holiday get-togethers and I bet it becomes one of yours too! It saves a bunch of time during your holiday meal prep.
• Even though these mashed potatoes are make ahead, they lose nothing in their quality! They’re creamy, fluffy and have the most incredible flavor.

Ingredients for Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

• Red potatoes – I love red potatoes because they have the perfect texture for mashed potatoes.
• Cream cheese – This is my secret ingredient to the best mashed potatoes ever. It adds a bit of a tangy flavor and lots of rich creaminess.
• Sour cream – Sour cream also adds a tangy flavor and mixes well with the cream cheese to make the perfect texture.
• Onion salt – If you don’t have onion salt, you can use onion powder instead. Just know that you’ll likely need to add more salt to the potatoes.
• Salt – You can add a touch more salt if you think your potatoes need it after you season it.
• Black pepper – Add this simple spice to give your mashed potatoes that classic warmth and flavor.
• Butter – I recommend using salted butter for the best results.
• Milk – I like using whole milk for the most creamy results. 2% milk is great too!

How to Make Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Clean the potatoes well and then peel and dice them. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. The water should be about two inches over the potatoes.

Bring the water to a boil and then simmer the potatoes over medium heat until they are tender. Once they are fork tender, they’re done. It usually takes about 20 minutes depending on how big your potato pieces are.

Drain the potatoes and return them back to the pot. Add the rest of the ingredients and use a hand mixer to beat everything together until well combined and the mixture is creamy and smooth.

Scoop the mashed potatoes into the prepared baking dish and then smooth them into an even layer. Cover the potatoes with foil or plastic wrap and keep the dish in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake them. They will keep well for up to two days.

How to Store Mashed Potatoes

These mashed potatoes store best in a casserole dish if you plan to reheat the entire dish! Cover tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can even store these in a foil pan with a lid if you want to make less dishes for yourself.

To store separate servings, divvy up into individual portions and store in airtight containers. No matter how you choose to store them, make ahead mashed potatoes will last 2-3 days in the fridge.

Because of the cream cheese and sour cream, I don’t recommend storing these in the freezer.

How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes

Take the baking dish out of the refrigerator and let the mashed potatoes sit out at room temperature while the oven preheats to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the baking dish in the oven and bake the mashed potatoes for 30 to 45 minutes or until they are heated through and just beginning to turn golden brown on top.

I love to garnish mine with chopped parsley, but it’s optional!

What potatoes are best for mashed potatoes?

Really, this is all about personal preference. I love to use red potatoes in these stove top mashed potatoes. But you can use russet potatoes or yukon golds too! For this recipe, I do recommend peeling the potatoes no matter what kind you use. It will make these texture and the taste much more consistent.

What to Serve with Mashed Potatoes

It’s a given that these meal prep mashed potatoes are perfect for holiday meals, but you don’t need to wait until then to give them a try. Pair them with these main dish ideas for the ultimate comfort food dinner!

Try them with some garlic butter steak bites or even pair them with my baked meatballs and homemade gravy for a hearty dinner.

For a fancy dinner on a special occasion, these mashed potatoes are the perfect side for beef wellington. I also love to serve them with air fryer pork chops! And if you need more browse all of my easy dinner recipes for even more ideas!

You have to have the staples when you’re serving big family meals and these make ahead mashed potatoes are the perfect dish. They make life so much easier during a hectic holiday season – I hope you love them!

More Holiday Side Dishes

• Roasted Carrots with Dill is an easy side that goes with practically any meal!
• The BEST Crockpot Green Bean Casserole if you want to save room in the oven, you have to try this recipe.
• Or, use it to make Crockpot Mashed Potatoes – this is another way I love to make this classic side.
• Easy Creamed Pea Recipe is super easy and always a hit!
• Not a mashed potato fan? Smashed Potatoes are a delicious side dish you will love.
• We’ve round up our favorite quick and easy Thanksgiving Side Dish recipes that will make this holiday stress-free and enjoyable!