Healthy Mashed Potatoes
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This lighter, a bit more nutritious recipe for Healthy Mashed Potatoes tastes as good or even better(!) than any classic mashed potato recipe. The addition of sweet potato, cream cheese, and seasonings takes the flavor to the next level. A great way to sneak in extra nutrition for picky eaters.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Easy – Just boil the potatoes, season, and mash.
- Healthier than classic mashed potatoes – The addition of sweet potato not only adds flavor but also brings in some powerhouse nutrition. Plus we don’t use heavy cream or other calorie-laden ingredients. (Same with our Sweet Potato Biscuits and Sweet Potato Corn Bread.)
- Flavor – These mashed potatoes are truly delicious! I found myself scraping the bottom of the pot for every last creamy, savory bite.
- Versatile side dish – The flavors in this recipe will play nice with all types of recipes. I’d suggest starting with Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Turkey Breast, or Pan Seared Pork Chops.
- Great for Kids: This is a great recipe for 1 year olds or little eaters. They are easy for little gums and full of nutrition.
Ingredients
You may have all of these simple ingredients in your pantry…
How to Make Healthy Mashed Potatoes
Here is a brief overview of how to make this recipe. Find the full recipe below.
- Boil Potatoes – After peeling and dicing the potatoes, you will add them to a pot of cold water and bring them to a boil.
- Add seasonings and other ingredients – Once potatoes have simmered and are fork tender, you will drain them, add them back to the pot. Then you’ll add all of the other ingredients.
- Mash – Use a potato masher to achieve desired consistency.
Be sure to taste and seasoning with more salt and pepper, to taste. Serve warm with butter and freshly chopped parsley on top, if desired.
FAQs
Yes, you can easily double the recipe if you have a big stock pot.
Yes, you can freeze mashed potatoes. However, the texture will change slightly through the freezing and thawing process. They might become slightly grainy or watery when thawed.
The addition of sweet potato and the minimal amount of butter and dairy make this recipe healthier than classic mashed potatoes.
Even though they are 50% sweet potato, I wouldn’t consider them sweet at all. The sweet potato brings flavor but the savory seasonings balance it out.
Aside from their healthier profile, we truly enjoy these mashed potatoes so much and hope you do too!
More Potato Side Dish Ideas
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Healthy Mashed Potatoes
With fewer carbs and more nutrients than regular mashed potatoes, these decadent-tasting Healthy Mashed Potatoes are sure to be a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced, peeled sweet potatoes (about 2 medium ones)
- 3 cups diced, peeled russet potatoes (about 2 medium ones)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons plain cream cheese
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley, crushed in hand
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Instructions
- Place diced sweet potatoes and russet potatoes in large pot of cold water (make sure potatoes are covered with water) and turn on high heat. Bring to a boil, turn down heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender. Drain in a colander over the sink and return to pot.
- Add butter, cream cheese, chicken broth, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley. Gently stir until cream cheese is melted and incorporated.
- Mash with a potato masher to desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning, as needed.
Notes/Tips
- Freezer Instructions: Note that mashed potatoes are freezable but the texture may change slightly after thawing. After cooking and cooling, freeze in an air tight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator or defrost in the microwave. Warm in the microwave or slow cooker on low after thawing. You may have to add a bit more liquid (milk or chicken broth) after reheating, if too dry.
- You use olive oil in place of butter for even more nutrition.
- Don’t forget to season your mashed potatoes with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
- Feel free to add garlic, fresh chopped herbs, or other seasonings for extra flavor. Roasted garlic, chives, or a sprinkle of nutmeg can add a delightful touch.
- Optional: Boil the potatoes in well-salted water to infuse them with flavor. Salt the water before adding the potatoes to ensure they absorb the salt.
These were the best mashed potatoes I have ever made! I felt like we were eating potatoes from a steakhouse. So creamy and such an easy recipe. Thank you! Definitely a win!
Thanks so much for the kind words Holly! Glad you enjoyed them.
Delicious. I cook for myself, so I portion the mashed potatoes out with a 1/2 cup ice cream scoop onto a cookie sheet, then freeze, for single servings
Hi Catherine. So glad to have someone leave a review about freezing in individual portions. It really works!
Love this recipe! It’s one I can get prepped hours before while kids nap. I make it all the time as a side dish for several Thriving Home main dishes, lately I have made it several times with the Yum Loaves! Absolutely delicious!
Love hearing you take advantage of nap time to prep dinner Melissa. So smart! Glad your family enjoys these recipes. Thanks for leaving a review.
Yum! Love that it sneaks in some veggies.
Wondering if this has ever been tried with a milk alternative like a full fat coconut milk? We try not to consume a lot of dairy and the cream cheese/milk/cheese is a bit much. Also any substitute for the cream cheese? Maybe something with greek yogurt?
Thank you!! This sounds delicious can’t wait to try it out for my little 18 mo old (and her parents 😉 )
Hi Candice, I haven’t tried this with a milk alternative. I’m thinking coconut milk might be interesting, but I wonder if it will end up being an odd combo. I would recommend using chicken stock as the liquid to add flavor and moisture. And a little plain greek yogurt would be like adding sour cream, so I think that’s an awesome idea.