Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, is renowned for her heartwarming recipes that are perfect for family gatherings and potlucks. Among her many crowd-pleasers, her mashed potatoes stand out for their rich, creamy texture and incredible flavor. Building upon her classic recipe, we’re adding a twist that elevates this side dish to a whole new level: garlic. Get ready to experience Pioneer Woman Garlic Mashed Potatoes – a decadent, flavorful, and utterly irresistible addition to your table.
This garlic mashed potatoes recipe maintains all the beloved qualities of Ree’s original, ensuring a perfectly creamy and make-ahead friendly dish. Whether you’re preparing a cozy Sunday supper or a grand holiday feast, these mashed potatoes can be prepared in advance and reheated without losing their luxurious texture. If you’re looking for the secret to reheating mashed potatoes flawlessly, we’ve got you covered!
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Creamy Pioneer Woman Garlic Mashed Potatoes ready to be served.
This recipe yields approximately 10-11 cups of garlic mashed potatoes.
Ingredients for Garlic Infused Mashed Potatoes
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Ingredients for making Pioneer Woman Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
- 5 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
- 1 head of garlic
- 3/4 cup (one and a half sticks) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the dish
- 8-ounce package softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: Fresh chives or parsley, for garnish
Essential Tools for Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Toh Ecomm Pioneer Woman Dutch Oven Via Walmart.com
Large Pot
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Toh Ecomm The Pioneer Woman Frontier Collection Stainless Steel Masher Via Walmart.com
Potato Masher
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Pioneer Woman Baking Dish
Baking Dish
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Step-by-Step Guide to Pioneer Woman Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Step 1: Roast the Garlic
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 40-45 minutes, or until the cloves are soft and fragrant. Let it cool slightly, then squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins. Roasting the garlic mellows its flavor and adds a sweet, savory depth to the mashed potatoes.
Step 2: Prepare the Potatoes
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Peeling and cutting potatoes for Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes.
Peel the potatoes and cut each into roughly equal-sized chunks, about four pieces per potato, or six for larger ones. Place the sliced potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water, ensuring the water just covers the potatoes.
Step 3: Boil the Potatoes
Bring the pot of water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil and cook the potatoes until they are tender but not falling apart. Start checking for doneness after about 20 minutes. They are ready when a fork can easily pierce through the center of a potato piece.
Step 4: Drain and Steam Dry
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Draining boiled potatoes for mashed potatoes.
Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly using a colander. Return the drained potatoes to the same pot. Place the pot back on the burner over low heat. This step is crucial: gently mash the potatoes over the low heat to allow any excess moisture to evaporate. This is a key technique for achieving the best mashed potato texture, preventing them from becoming watery. Continue mashing until the potatoes look drier and slightly fluffy.
Step 5: Incorporate Roasted Garlic and Creamy Ingredients
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Adding butter, cream cheese and roasted garlic to mashed potatoes.
Add the softened cream cheese, cut into cubes, and the sliced butter to the warm potatoes. Add the roasted garlic cloves to the pot as well. Begin mashing again until the butter and cream cheese are fully melted and smoothly incorporated into the potatoes. Pour in the half-and-half and continue to mash until the potatoes reach your desired creamy consistency. Finally, stir in the seasoned salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more seasoned salt if desired.
Step 6: Bake for Extra Flavor (Optional)
Transferring garlic mashed potatoes to a baking dish.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish (or a dish of similar size) with butter. Spoon the garlic mashed potatoes into the prepared baking dish, spreading them evenly. Create a few decorative swirls on top with a spoon, if desired. Dot the top with a few pats of cold butter.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the butter is melted and the potatoes are heated through. Stir the melted butter into the potatoes before serving. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chives or parsley if you like. These garlic mashed potatoes can also be refrigerated and reheated; see reheating instructions below.
My Verdict on Pioneer Woman Garlic Mashed Potatoes
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Close up of creamy Pioneer Woman Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
Knowing Ree Drummond’s recipes, I anticipated these garlic mashed potatoes would be rich and flavorful, and they absolutely delivered. The addition of roasted garlic takes the creamy texture and buttery base to a new dimension of flavor. The cream cheese and butter create an unbelievably creamy and luxurious texture, perfectly complemented by the mellow, sweet roasted garlic. A teaspoon of seasoned salt was just right for my taste, enhancing the overall savory profile. The result is a comforting, buttery, garlicky side dish that’s just as delicious on its own as it is paired with gravy or your favorite main course.
The make-ahead convenience of this recipe is a huge bonus. Ree Drummond’s genius lies in creating dishes that simplify holiday meal preparations, and these garlic mashed potatoes are no exception. Preparing them a day or two in advance significantly reduces stress on busy cooking days – simply reheat and serve!
Perfect Reheating Instructions
To reheat your Pioneer Woman Garlic Mashed Potatoes, first allow them to cool completely after baking. Cover the baking dish tightly and refrigerate for up to two days. When you’re ready to reheat, Ree Drummond suggests letting the dish sit at room temperature for about 2-3 hours to take off the chill. Add a few extra pats of butter on top before placing the dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. This method ensures they retain their creamy texture and delicious flavor, perfect for make-ahead holiday dishes. Remember to save some fridge space for other make-ahead holiday recipes!
Tips for the Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes
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Serving spoon scooping Pioneer Woman Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
- Potato Choice Matters: For the best texture, use russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. Russets become wonderfully fluffy when mashed, while Yukon Golds offer a slightly buttery flavor and creamy consistency, and their yellow hue adds visual appeal.
- Hand Masher Recommended: Follow Ree’s lead and use a hand potato masher. Electric mixers can overwork the potatoes, leading to a gummy texture. Hand mashing keeps them light and fluffy.
- Garlic Customization: While roasted garlic provides a mellow and sweet flavor, you can adjust the garlic intensity to your preference. For a stronger garlic flavor, you could add a clove or two of minced fresh garlic when you add the butter and cream cheese, or even a touch of garlic powder.
- Get Creative with Add-ins: While these garlic mashed potatoes are amazing as is, feel free to experiment with additional flavors. Consider stirring in some finely chopped scallions or chives for freshness, crispy bacon bits for smokiness, or shredded cheddar cheese for a cheesy garlic mashed potato variation.
