Cheese And Mashed Potatoes: The Perfect Pairing

Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food, but what cheese goes best with them? There are several options to consider, depending on your taste preferences and what you're serving the mashed potatoes with. Some popular choices include cheddar, gruyere, raclette, parmesan, and gouda. For a more enhanced flavour, you can also try adding multiple types of cheese to your mashed potatoes, such as cream cheese, cheddar, and parmesan.

Cheddar, Parmesan, and Cream Cheese

Cheddar

Cheddar mashed potatoes are a dream come true for foodies. This combination is a flavourful, heavenly treat. The humble potato is taken up a notch with the addition of cheddar cheese, softened garlic cloves, a hint of sour cream, and fresh chives on top. The ingredients are straightforward, but the taste is spectacular. The garlic cloves are boiled with the potatoes so that the flavour really gets into them, and the boiling process cooks and mellows out the garlic. The cheese can be any kind of cheddar, but sharp white cheddar is preferred to maintain the white colour of the potatoes.

Parmesan

Parmesan mashed potatoes are a delicious twist on the classic side dish. The potatoes are boiled, butter and cream are added, and then the parmesan is mixed in. The potatoes used are preferably Yukon Golds, as they have a more buttery look. The parmesan adds a serious flavour to the potatoes, and its aroma is amazing. The potatoes can be served with roast chicken, a sirloin tip roast, or used as a topper on a cottage pie.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese mashed potatoes are easy to make and are the perfect comfort food. They are rich, decadent, and sinful in all the right ways. The potatoes are boiled, and then cream cheese, butter, milk, and seasonings are added. The potatoes are then mashed and served immediately. This dish is best served as a holiday side or for a weeknight dinner.

Cheddar, Sour Cream, and Chives

Ingredients

For this combination, you will need the following ingredients:

• Cheddar cheese (full-fat mature/sharp, mild, or white)
• Sour cream (at room temperature)
• Chives (freshly chopped)
• Potatoes (russet, red, Yukon, or Yukon Gold)
• Butter (full-fat, salted, and at room temperature)
• Milk (full-fat or vitamin D/low-fat)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Optional Ingredients

Depending on your preferences, you can also add the following ingredients:

• Garlic (fresh cloves or jarred minced garlic)
• Other types of cheese (cream cheese, Parmesan, veggie Italian hard cheese/vegetarian Parmesan, or a mix of cheeses)

Recipe

• Boil the potatoes: Wash, peel, and cut the potatoes into evenly sized chunks. Place them in a pot with enough water to cover the potatoes. Add a generous amount of salt to the water and bring it to a boil. Cook the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes or until they are fork-tender.
• Drain and dry the potatoes: Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them in a colander and return them to the pot. You can place them back on medium heat for about 2 minutes to dry them out.
• Mash the potatoes: Use a potato masher, ricer, or hand mixer to mash the potatoes. If you want a smoother texture, a ricer or hand mixer will help achieve that. Add the butter and milk, and stir until the butter melts into the potatoes.
• Add the cheese, sour cream, and chives: Stir in the cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped chives. Combine until everything is melted and incorporated into the mash. You can also add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve: You can serve the mashed potatoes as they are or bake them for a crispy topping. If serving as-is, you can sprinkle some chopped chives on top for garnish.

Tips

• Choose the right potatoes: Starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold are recommended for a fluffy and creamy texture.
• Cut the potatoes into similar-sized chunks: This ensures that the potatoes cook evenly.
• Steam the drained potatoes: This helps to get rid of excess water and keeps the mash fluffy.
• Use room-temperature butter and milk: This will help them melt into the potatoes more quickly and easily.
• Heat the milk: Adding cold milk to hot potatoes can affect the temperature and texture of the mash.
• Use a wooden spoon to stir: This will make the process easier and help prevent over-mixing.
• Add salt to the water: This helps to season the potatoes as they cook.
• Make-ahead option: You can prepare the mashed potatoes ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them for later. However, freshly made mash is always best.

Gruyere, Raclette, and Parmesan

Gruyere Mashed Potatoes

Gruyere cheese and chives elevate the classic mashed potatoes to a whole new level. To make this dish, you'll need:

• Potatoes, peeled and cubed
• Warm milk
• Garlic
• Butter
• Shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
• Fresh chives
• Green onions

Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain and return them to the pot. Mash the potatoes, gradually adding the sour cream, milk, and garlic. Stir in the remaining ingredients, including the Gruyere cheese, and season to taste.

Raclette Smashed Potatoes

Raclette is a Swiss cheese that is typically melted until browned and piping hot. For this unique twist on mashed potatoes, you'll first roast your potatoes until soft. Then, smash them using a sheet pan or a meat mallet. Finish by sprinkling crumbled Raclette cheese on top and broiling until the cheese is melted. You can also add toppings like bacon and shallots for extra flavour.

Parmesan Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Parmesan garlic mashed potatoes are a delicious and creamy side dish. Start by baking your potatoes in the oven, then scoop out the flesh and mash or rice them. To enhance the flavour, heat milk with garlic, butter, salt, and pepper, and pour this mixture into the mashed potatoes. Finally, stir in grated Parmesan cheese, and season to taste.

Other Cheese Options

While Gruyere, Raclette, and Parmesan are excellent choices, other cheeses that go well with mashed potatoes include cheddar, cream cheese, and veggie Italian hard cheese (vegetarian Parmesan). You can also get creative and experiment with different combinations of cheeses to find your perfect mash!

Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, and Butter

Cream cheese mashed potatoes are a decadent treat, perfect for impressing guests or as a comforting weeknight meal. The addition of cream cheese makes for an indulgent, smooth and buttery mash. The cream cheese flavour shines through, with a hint of garlic for added depth. This recipe calls for a generous amount of butter and cream cheese, as well as milk, garlic, salt and pepper, and chives for serving. It's an easy way to elevate your mashed potatoes and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Sour cream mashed potatoes are another delicious variation, with a tangy twist. Sour cream cuts through the richness of the potatoes, creating a well-rounded, comforting dish. This recipe is a great way to make your mashed potatoes even more creamy and flavourful. It includes butter, milk, salt and pepper, and of course, sour cream. It's a simple way to add a unique flavour to your mash and elevate the dish.

Combining all three ingredients—cream cheese, sour cream, and butter—creates an ultra-decadent mash that's sure to be a favourite. This recipe includes butter potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes, room-temperature butter, heavy cream, and of course, cream cheese and sour cream. It's a rich and creamy dish, perfect for special occasions or indulgent weeknight meals. The key to this recipe is not over-mixing, as this can make the potatoes gummy.

Whether you choose to use cream cheese, sour cream, butter, or a combination of the three, your mashed potatoes are sure to be taken to the next level. These recipes are simple yet indulgent, perfect for adding a touch of luxury to your meal.

Goat Cheese, Gruyere, and Cheddar

Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food, but adding cheese takes them to the next level. Here's how goat cheese, Gruyere, and cheddar can each enhance this side dish.

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Goat cheese mashed potatoes offer a tangy and creamy twist on the classic dish. The key is to use garlic-and-herb goat cheese, which adds a delightful flavour to the potatoes. This recipe also calls for sour cream, butter, half-and-half or milk, and Parmesan cheese, resulting in a rich and indulgent dish. To prepare, simply boil the potatoes and garlic, process them through a food mill, and then stir in the remaining ingredients while the potatoes are still hot. For a make-ahead option, assemble the dish and refrigerate for up to three days before baking.

Gruyere Mashed Potatoes

Gruyere cheese adds a touch of sophistication to mashed potatoes. This variety of cheese has a slightly sweet and nutty flavour that pairs beautifully with potatoes. To prepare, simply boil the potatoes, and then mash them with sour cream, milk, garlic, butter, Gruyere cheese, chives, green onions, and garlic salt. The result is a smooth and creamy dish with a subtle yet distinct flavour.

Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Cheddar mashed potatoes are a classic combination that never fails to impress. The sharpness of the cheddar cheese pairs perfectly with the creaminess of the potatoes. For the best results, use a combination of red, Yukon, or russet potatoes. The recipe also calls for garlic, butter, sour cream, half-and-half or milk, and fresh chives. Simply boil the potatoes and garlic, mash them together, and then stir in the remaining ingredients. Adjust the amount of half-and-half to achieve your desired consistency.

Frequently asked questions