Fluffy Ricotta Mashed Potatoes

Let’s talk about mashed potatoes – everyone’s favorite comfort food side dish. I’ve made them countless times over the years, but adding ricotta cheese takes them to a whole new level of creamy goodness. The first time I tried this version at my mother-in-law’s house, I couldn’t believe I’d never thought of it before.

These ricotta mashed potatoes have become my go-to whenever I’m cooking for family dinners or holiday meals. They’re just as easy to make as regular mashed potatoes, but they have this wonderful, smooth texture that makes them extra special. My kids, who used to push regular mashed potatoes around their plates, now ask for seconds.

If you’re looking for a simple way to change up your usual mashed potato recipe without any fancy ingredients or complicated steps, this is it. Trust me – once you try adding ricotta, you might never go back to making them the old way.

What Kind of Potatoes Should I Use?

While the recipe calls for russet potatoes, you actually have a few good options for making these creamy mashed potatoes. Russets are the classic choice because their high starch content makes them light and fluffy when mashed, and they soak up butter and cream like a dream. You could also use Yukon Gold potatoes, which have a naturally buttery flavor and create a slightly denser, creamier mash. When picking your potatoes at the store, look for ones that are firm and free from any green spots or sprouts – and try to choose potatoes that are similar in size so they’ll cook evenly. Just remember to peel russets since their skins are thick, but you can leave the thinner skins on Yukons if you don’t mind a more rustic style.

Options for Substitutions

Let’s talk about ways to switch up the ingredients in these creamy mashed potatoes:

• Russet potatoes: While russets make the fluffiest mashed potatoes, you can use Yukon Gold for a naturally buttery taste, or red potatoes for a more rustic texture. Just avoid waxy potatoes as they can become gummy.
• Ricotta cheese: If you’re out of ricotta, try cream cheese, mascarpone, or even Greek yogurt. Each will give you a different but equally good creamy result. If using Greek yogurt, add it at the very end to prevent curdling.
• Half and half: You can replace this with whole milk for a lighter version, or heavy cream for extra richness. Plant-based milk works too, but stick to unsweetened varieties.
• Garlic powder: Fresh minced garlic works great here – use 2-3 cloves for every teaspoon of garlic powder. You could also try roasted garlic for a milder, sweet flavor.
• Butter: For dairy-free options, try olive oil or plant-based butter. The taste will be different, but still good. Use the same amount as called for in the recipe.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making mashed potatoes is not starting with properly cooked potatoes – they should be fork-tender but not waterlogged, so start them in cold water and bring to a boil rather than dropping them into already boiling water. Adding cold dairy products to hot potatoes can make them gummy and unpleasant, so make sure your butter, half and half, and ricotta are all at room temperature before mixing them in. For the smoothest results, pass your potatoes through a ricer or food mill while they’re still hot, as using a hand mixer or food processor can overwork the starches and lead to a gluey texture. To get the perfect consistency, add the liquid ingredients gradually – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away once it’s mixed in.

What to Serve With Ricotta Mashed Potatoes?

These creamy mashed potatoes make an amazing side dish that pairs perfectly with so many main courses! They’re great alongside a juicy steak or roasted chicken, where the potatoes can soak up all those tasty meat drippings. For a complete comfort food dinner, try serving them with meatloaf and roasted vegetables, or go classic with braised short ribs and green beans. Since these potatoes are already rich and creamy, I like to balance them with simple grilled or roasted meats and some fresh veggies on the side.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These creamy ricotta mashed potatoes can hang out in your fridge for up to 4 days when kept in an airtight container. They’re actually great for making ahead since the flavors have time to get even better!

Freeze: Good news – these mashed potatoes freeze really well! Just spoon them into a freezer-safe container or bag, getting rid of as much air as possible, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Perfect for busy weeknight dinner prep!

Warm Up: To bring these potatoes back to their creamy glory, warm them up slowly on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or butter if needed. You can also pop them in the microwave – just stir every minute or so to heat them evenly. They might need an extra pat of butter and a pinch of salt to wake up the flavors.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	20-30 minutes
Total Time	30-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 20-25 g
• Fat: 45-50 g
• Carbohydrates: 85-95 g

Ingredients

• Russet potatoes
• Melted butter
• Half and half
• Whole milk ricotta cheese
• Garlic powder
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Potatoes

Begin by peeling the russet potatoes and cooking them until they are fork-tender.

This can be done by boiling them in water over medium heat.

Check for tenderness by piercing the potatoes with a fork; they should feel soft and easily break apart.

Step 2: Combine with Butter and Dairy

Once the potatoes are cooked, return them to a warm pot.

Add melted butter to the cooked potatoes, followed by pouring in half and half or whole milk, depending on your preference.

Then, mix in about one cup of whole milk ricotta cheese.

The addition of ricotta will make the mashed potatoes creamy and smooth.

Step 3: Season and Mash the Potatoes

Season the potato mixture by sprinkling in garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper to taste.

Begin mashing the potatoes using a potato masher or a handheld mixer.

Continue mashing until you reach your desired consistency, whether you prefer it smooth or with small lumps.

It’s important to note that the mixture might appear wet initially, but will come together beautifully as you mash.

Step 4: Final Touch and Serve

Once the mashed potatoes are combined and seasoned to your liking, give them a final stir to ensure everything is well-integrated.

Serve the mashed potatoes hot as a delightful and creamy side dish to complement any main course.

Enjoy!