Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

This is a quick and easy recipe for cheesy mashed potatoes! The entire recipe comes together in less than thirty minutes, and while I normally make small batch recipes, this one actually makes four servings.

These cheesy mashed potatoes will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days. Just reheat them in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, until warm.

Ingredients for Garlic Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

• 1 1/2 lbs. Yellow Potatoes
• 5 cloves Garlic (divided)
• Kosher or Sea Salt (to taste)
• 2 tbsp. Unsalted Butter
• 2 tbsp. Whole Milk
• 1/4 cup Sour Cream
• 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
• freshly cracked Black Pepper (to taste)

Yellow Potatoes vs. Russet Potatoes

I like yellow potatoes for mashed potato recipes because of their creamy texture. If you prefer to use russet potatoes for this recipe, that’s totally fine!

Yellow potatoes will create a denser, creamier texture for your mashed potatoes. The flavor will have a buttery sweetness to it, too.

Russet potatoes will create lighter, fluffier mashed potatoes.

This comes down to a matter of personal preference, so there is no right or wrong potato choice. Just use your favorite!

Ingredient Substitutions

• Garlic cloves can be substituted with garlic powder. The proper measurement for this substitution is 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder for each garlic clove. However, for this recipe I boil three garlic cloves with the potatoes and add two minced garlic cloves to the potatoes just before mashing. If you’re using garlic powder, don’t worry about the garlic cloves that boil with the potatoes. Substitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder for the minced garlic in step three.
• Whole milk, half and half, or 2% milk can be used in these mashed potatoes.
• Cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese work well in these mashed potatoes because of their flavor and melting quality. You can use all cheddar cheese, or substitute the Monterey Jack with Pepper Jack for a little kick.
• Season with salt and pepper to fit your tastes! Season the water with salt before boiling the potatoes, but be sure to season the mashed potatoes with more salt to fit your taste before serving.

How to Make Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

• Wash, peel, and chop the potatoes into 1″ pieces. Cut the pieces as similar in size as possible to ensure even cooking.
• Peel and smash three garlic cloves. Mince the remaining two garlic cloves and set aside.
• Place the chopped potatoes and the three smashed garlic cloves in a deep pot. Fill the pot with cold water so it covers the potatoes by one inch. Sprinkle in a heavy pinch of salt and bring the pot to a boil.

• Boil for 6-8 minutes or until the potato pieces are easily pierced with a fork. Turn off the heat and drain the water from the potatoes.

• Add butter and minced garlic to the pot. Mash the potatoes, butter, and garlic together with a potato masher.

• Stir in milk and sour cream until absorbed.*

• Stir in cheese until melted and fully combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

• Serve hot!

*If the potatoes need additional mashing after the milk and sour cream are added, use the potato masher to keep mashing until the consistency is to your liking.

Why Cold Water?

If the potatoes are submersed in hot water, the exterior of the potatoes could start cooking faster than the centers. This makes the texture of the potatoes uneven after they boil, and they won’t produce the best version of mashed potatoes.

How to Store and Reheat Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

These cheddar mashed potatoes will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat them by warming them in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.

This is hands down our favorite recipe for cheesy mashed potatoes. They’re so good with grilled chicken, pork chops, or steak! They’re also perfect for a smaller holiday gathering, too. Feel free to double the recipe if necessary! The cheesy mash is a crowd pleaser, so it’s worth it.

Readers’ Favorite Potato Recipes

• Small Batch Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
• Small Batch Buttery Mashed Potatoes
• Small Batch Loaded Mashed Potatoes
• Garlic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
• Cheesy Hasselback Potatoes and Onions with Midwest Dairy
• Extra Cheesy Twice Baked Potatoes for Two

If you make this recipe and love it, a comment and rating below would be amazing! Tag me on Instagram if you post a photo to social media, too. As always, feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions!