Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, is renowned for her heartwarming, crowd-pleasing recipes, and her mashed potatoes are no exception. These aren’t just any mashed potatoes; they are luxuriously creamy, deeply flavorful, and, crucially for busy cooks, they can be made ahead of time. If you’re seeking the perfect side dish that eliminates stress from your holiday meal preparations or a comforting addition to a Sunday dinner, look no further than the Pioneer Woman’s mashed potatoes. Prepare to embrace butter and cream cheese – because once you taste these, you’ll understand why Ree Drummond doesn’t hold back!
The beauty of this recipe lies in its make-ahead nature. Imagine preparing your creamy, dreamy mashed potatoes a day or two before your big event and simply reheating them to perfection. No last-minute mashing frenzy required! And the best part? They retain their incredible creamy texture even after reheating. Let’s dive into how to create these make-ahead marvels.
Ree Drummond’s Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Toh 3 2 Ft Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes Nancy Mock For Tohh Gettyimages 156649536 Jvedit
Image alt text: Close-up shot of Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes in a white baking dish, garnished with butter swirls.
Yields: 10-11 cups
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Ingredients You’ll Need
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Image alt text: Ingredients for Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes: russet potatoes, butter, cream cheese, half-and-half, seasoned salt, and black pepper.
- 5 pounds russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes (or a mix)
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup half-and-half
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Essential Tools
To make these creamy make-ahead mashed potatoes, you’ll need a few key kitchen tools:
- Large Pot: For boiling the potatoes. A Dutch oven works wonderfully for even heating.
Toh Ecomm Pioneer Woman Dutch Oven Via Walmart.com
Image alt text: Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 5-Quart Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven.
- Potato Masher: A sturdy potato masher is crucial for achieving the perfect texture.
Toh Ecomm The Pioneer Woman Frontier Collection Stainless Steel Masher Via Walmart.com
Image alt text: Pioneer Woman Frontier Collection Stainless Steel Masher in Deep Teal.
- Baking Dish: A 13×9-inch baking dish or similar size for baking and reheating the mashed potatoes.
Pioneer Woman Baking Dish Image alt text: Pioneer Woman Baking Bouquet 2-Piece Baking Dish Set.
- Colander: For draining the cooked potatoes.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Knife and Cutting Board
Step-by-Step Directions for Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes
Follow these simple steps to create the most decadent and creamy make-ahead mashed potatoes.
Step 1: Prep the Potatoes
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Image alt text: Peeled and quartered russet potatoes in a large pot filled with cold water.
Begin by peeling your potatoes. Once peeled, cut each potato into uniform chunks – about four pieces for medium potatoes, and six for larger ones. Place the sliced potatoes in your large pot and cover them with cold water. Ensure the water level is just enough to cover the potatoes. Starting with cold water helps the potatoes cook more evenly.
Step 2: Boil Until Tender
Bring the pot of potatoes and water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil and cook until the potatoes are tender. This usually takes around 20 minutes, but start checking for doneness around the 15-minute mark. The potatoes are ready when a fork can easily pierce through them without resistance. Be careful not to overcook them to the point of falling apart in the water, as this can make them waterlogged.
Step 3: Drain and Steam Dry
Pioneer Womans Mashed Potatoes.toh.nancy Mock 3 Jvedit
Image alt text: Drained potatoes being mashed in a pot on a stovetop over low heat.
Carefully drain the cooked potatoes using a colander. Return the drained potatoes to the now-empty pot. Place the pot back on the burner over low heat. This is a crucial step for achieving fluffy mashed potatoes. Mashing the potatoes over low heat allows any excess moisture to evaporate. Use your potato masher to thoroughly mash the potatoes. Continue mashing and stirring over low heat for a minute or two, allowing the steam to escape. This step is key to preventing soggy mashed potatoes and ensures a light and airy texture.
Step 4: Incorporate Creaminess
Pioneer Womans Mashed Potatoes.toh.nancy Mock 4 Jvedit
Image alt text: Adding cubed cream cheese and butter to mashed potatoes in a pot.
Now for the magic! Cut the softened cream cheese into cubes and add them to the warm mashed potatoes. Slice the butter into pats and add it to the pot along with the half-and-half. Continue mashing until all these ingredients are melted and thoroughly incorporated into the potatoes, creating a smooth and creamy mixture.
Step 5: Season and Taste
Stir in the seasoned salt and black pepper. Give the mashed potatoes a taste and adjust seasoning as needed. You might want to add a bit more seasoned salt or even a pinch of regular salt and pepper to reach your preferred flavor profile. Remember, you can always add more seasoning, but you can’t take it away!
Step 6: Bake or Serve Immediately
Image alt text: Spooning creamy mashed potatoes into a buttered baking dish and topping with butter swirls.
For immediate serving: Your Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes are ready to enjoy! Serve them hot as a side dish to your favorite meal.
For baking and make-ahead: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your 13×9-inch baking dish with butter. Spoon the mashed potatoes into the prepared dish and spread them evenly. Create a few decorative swirls on top with a spoon, if desired. Dot the top of the potatoes with a few pats of cold butter for extra richness and a beautiful golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until heated through and the butter on top is melted. Stir the melted butter into the potatoes before serving.
Make-Ahead Instructions for Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are designed to be made ahead, saving you precious time on busy cooking days.
- Bake as directed: Follow steps 1-6, including baking the potatoes in the oven.
- Cool completely: Allow the baked mashed potatoes to cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack.
- Refrigerate: Once cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Reheating Your Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Reheating these mashed potatoes is simple and ensures they remain wonderfully creamy. Ree Drummond’s method is key:
- Bring to room temperature (optional but recommended): For best results, Ree recommends letting the refrigerated mashed potatoes sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours before reheating. This helps them heat more evenly. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but it does improve the texture.
- Add extra butter: Dot the top of the potatoes with a few extra pats of butter to maintain moisture and flavor during reheating.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in a 350°F (175°C) preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are heated through and bubbly around the edges.
Tips for Perfect Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes
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Image alt text: Close-up of creamy Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes in a bowl, ready to be served.
- Potato Choice Matters: Russet potatoes are classic for mashed potatoes due to their high starch content, which creates a fluffy texture. Yukon Golds offer a slightly creamier and naturally buttery flavor, and they also work beautifully. Feel free to experiment with a mix of both for the best of both worlds.
- Hand Masher is Best: Ree Drummond advises against using an electric mixer for mashed potatoes. Mixers can overwork the potatoes, releasing too much starch and resulting in a gummy or gluey texture. A hand masher provides better control and ensures fluffy, not gummy, potatoes.
- Don’t Skimp on Fat: The combination of butter and cream cheese is what makes these mashed potatoes incredibly rich and creamy. While you could reduce the amounts slightly, the full quantities are what deliver the signature Pioneer Woman indulgence.
- Customize Your Mash: While these mashed potatoes are divine as is, feel free to add your own twist! Consider stirring in roasted garlic, caramelized onions, fresh herbs like chives or rosemary, crispy bacon bits, or shredded cheddar cheese for extra flavor dimensions.
Final Thoughts
Pioneer Woman make-ahead mashed potatoes are a game-changer for holiday meals and family gatherings. Their creamy texture, rich flavor, and make-ahead convenience make them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Embrace the butter and cream cheese, follow these simple steps, and prepare to serve up mashed potato perfection that your family and friends will rave about!
