Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, is renowned for her comforting, crowd-pleasing recipes, and her mashed potatoes are no exception. These aren’t just any mashed potatoes; they’re incredibly rich, perfectly creamy, and bursting with flavor, thanks to a generous amount of butter and cream cheese. While traditionally made on the stovetop, these decadent mashed potatoes are also fantastic when adapted for the crock pot, making them an even more convenient and stress-free side dish, especially for holidays or large gatherings. Discover how to make Pioneer Woman-inspired crock pot mashed potatoes that are guaranteed to be a hit.
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Delicious and creamy Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes, photographed in a white baking dish, showcasing their rich texture and golden buttery swirls.
Why Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes are a Game Changer
Using a crock pot, or slow cooker, to prepare mashed potatoes might seem unconventional, but it offers several advantages, particularly when you’re cooking for a crowd or want to get ahead on your meal preparation. Crock pots excel at gentle, even heating, which is perfect for cooking potatoes to tender perfection without the risk of scorching. More importantly, a crock pot is ideal for keeping mashed potatoes warm for hours without drying them out, making it a lifesaver for holiday dinners or potlucks. This “set it and forget it” method frees up valuable stovetop space and reduces stress, allowing you to focus on other dishes while your creamy mashed potatoes stay warm and ready to serve.
Pioneer Woman’s Inspired Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
This recipe is inspired by Ree Drummond’s famous mashed potatoes, adapting the method for crock pot cooking while retaining all the rich flavor and creamy texture that makes her recipe so beloved. This recipe yields approximately 10-11 cups of mashed potatoes.
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Ingredients for Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes, neatly arranged showcasing russet potatoes, butter, cream cheese, half-and-half, seasoned salt, and black pepper.
Ingredients:
- 5 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, divided, plus extra for greasing
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup half-and-half
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Tools You’ll Need:
Toh Ecomm Pioneer Woman Dutch Oven Via Walmart.com
Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 5-Quart Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven, a versatile kitchen tool.
Toh Ecomm The Pioneer Woman Frontier Collection Stainless Steel Masher Via Walmart.com
Pioneer Woman Frontier Collection Stainless Steel Masher in Deep Teal, a sturdy and stylish kitchen utensil.
Pioneer Woman Baking Dish Pioneer Woman Baking Dish with floral design, perfect for oven-baking mashed potatoes or other dishes.
- 6-quart or larger crock pot
- Large pot (if pre-boiling potatoes)
- Potato masher
- Baking dish (optional, for oven-finished top)
Directions:
While you can cook potatoes directly in the crock pot, pre-boiling them on the stovetop often yields a creamier result and faster cooking time overall. This method combines the best of both worlds.
Step 1: Prepare and Boil the Potatoes
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Raw potatoes being peeled and sliced into chunks in preparation for boiling, a step in making Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes.
Peel the potatoes and cut them into roughly equal-sized chunks. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 2: Drain and Mash (Stovetop Start)
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Draining boiled potatoes in a colander, an essential step to remove excess water before mashing for Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes.
Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly in a colander and return them to the empty pot. Place the pot back on the stovetop over low heat for a minute or two to evaporate any excess moisture. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher until mostly smooth.
Step 3: Add Cream Cheese, Butter, and Half-and-Half (Creaminess in Crock Pot)
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Adding cubed cream cheese and butter to mashed potatoes in a pot, key ingredients for achieving the creamy texture of Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes.
Transfer the mashed potatoes to your greased crock pot. Distribute cubed cream cheese and ½ cup of the butter over the potatoes. Pour in the half-and-half. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 1-2 hours, or until the cream cheese and butter are fully melted and the potatoes are heated through.
Step 4: Final Mash and Season
Once the cream cheese and butter are melted, mash everything together in the crock pot until smooth and creamy. Stir in the seasoned salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender for a few seconds, but be careful not to over-blend, which can make them gummy.
Step 5: Keep Warm or Bake (Optional)
Your Pioneer Woman-inspired crock pot mashed potatoes are now ready to serve! Keep them warm in the crock pot on the “warm” setting until serving.
For a golden-brown top, you can transfer the mashed potatoes to a buttered baking dish. Dot the top with the remaining butter and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and lightly browned on top.
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Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes in a baking dish, swirled and dotted with butter, ready for baking to achieve a golden top.
Tips for Perfect Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Potato Choice Matters: Russet potatoes are classic for mashing and create a fluffy texture. Yukon Golds are naturally buttery and slightly denser, resulting in creamy potatoes with a hint of yellow color. Use either or a mix!
- Don’t Overcook: Boil potatoes until just fork-tender. Overcooked potatoes can absorb too much water and become waterlogged.
- Warm Ingredients: Using softened cream cheese and warming the half-and-half slightly can help them incorporate more smoothly into the hot potatoes.
- Taste and Season: Seasoned salt adds a wonderful savory flavor, but adjust the amount to your preference. Don’t be afraid to add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Keep Warm Setting is Your Friend: The “warm” setting on your crock pot is perfect for holding mashed potatoes for several hours. Stir occasionally to maintain even temperature and texture.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
These creamy crock pot mashed potatoes are fantastic on their own, but they also serve as a perfect base for customization.
- Classic Toppings: Serve with a pat of butter, a sprinkle of fresh chives or parsley, or a dollop of sour cream.
- Loaded Mashed Potatoes: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and chopped green onions for a loaded potato experience.
- Garlic and Herb Infusion: Roast garlic cloves and mash them into the potatoes along with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for an aromatic twist.
- Gravy Boat Ready: These mashed potatoes are the ideal companion for your favorite gravy, whether it’s classic turkey gravy, beef gravy, or mushroom gravy.
Make-Ahead and Reheating Instructions
One of the greatest advantages of crock pot mashed potatoes is their make-ahead convenience.
To Make Ahead: Prepare the mashed potatoes through Step 4. Let them cool slightly, then transfer them to a greased baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
To Reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat them in the crock pot on low setting, adding a splash of milk or half-and-half if needed to restore creaminess.
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Close-up of creamy Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes in a white bowl, highlighting their texture and inviting appearance, ready to be served.
Conclusion
Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food side dish – creamy, flavorful, and incredibly convenient. By using a crock pot, you simplify the cooking process, free up stovetop space, and ensure your mashed potatoes stay warm and delicious for hours. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a holiday feast, this recipe is sure to become a new family favorite. Enjoy the ease and deliciousness of these make-ahead mashed potatoes and spend less time stressing in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal!
