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 are incredibly rich, luxuriously creamy, and bursting with flavor. Ree doesn’t hold back on the butter in this recipe, and after trying them, you won’t either! If you’re searching for the ultimate side dish that will impress at any meal, look no further than Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes.
This recipe is a lifesaver when you’re preparing a large Sunday supper or a festive holiday feast. The beauty of these mashed potatoes is that they can be made in advance and reheated without losing their signature creamy texture. Imagine having perfectly smooth, flavorful mashed potatoes ready to go, freeing up your time on busy cooking days. And if you need tips on how to reheat mashed potatoes flawlessly, we’ve got you covered!
Ree Drummond’s Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Toh 3 2 Ft Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes Nancy Mock For Tohh Gettyimages 156649536 Jvedit
Alt text: Creamy Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes in a serving dish, garnished with butter swirls.
This recipe yields approximately 10-11 cups of delectable mashed potatoes.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes
Pioneer Womans Mashed Potatoes.toh.nancy Mock 1 Jvedit
Alt text: Ingredients for Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes including russet potatoes, butter, cream cheese, half-and-half, seasoned salt, and black pepper.
- 5 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes (for the best mashed potato texture)
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the baking dish
- 8-ounce package softened cream cheese (adds incredible richness)
- ½ cup half-and-half (for perfect creaminess)
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground recommended)
Essential Tools for Making Mashed Potatoes
Toh Ecomm Pioneer Woman Dutch Oven Via Walmart.com
Large Pot
Shop Now
Alt text: Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 5-Quart Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven, a tool for cooking potatoes.
Toh Ecomm The Pioneer Woman Frontier Collection Stainless Steel Masher Via Walmart.com
Potato Masher
Shop Now
Alt text: The Pioneer Woman Frontier Collection Stainless Steel Masher, a tool for mashing potatoes.
Pioneer Woman Baking Dish
Baking Dish
Shop Now
Alt text: Pioneer Woman Baking Dish, a dish for baking and serving mashed potatoes.
- Large pot (for boiling potatoes)
- Colander (for draining potatoes)
- Potato masher (for achieving the perfect texture)
- 13×9-inch baking dish (or similar size, for baking and reheating)
Step-by-Step Directions for Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes for Boiling
Pioneer Womans Mashed Potatoes.toh.nancy Mock 2 Jvedit
Alt text: Sliced potatoes being added to a pot for Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes.
Begin by peeling your potatoes thoroughly. Once peeled, slice each potato into chunks. For medium potatoes, quarter them; for larger ones, cut into six pieces to ensure even cooking. Place the sliced potatoes into a large pot and cover them with cold water, ensuring the water level is just enough to cover the potatoes.
Step 2: Boil the Potatoes to Tender Perfection
Bring the pot of potatoes and water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the potatoes simmer until they are tender. Start checking for doneness around the 20-minute mark. They are ready when a fork can easily pierce through the center of a potato piece without resistance. Be careful not to overcook them, you want them tender, not mushy.
Step 3: Drain and Dry the Potatoes for Fluffiness
Pioneer Womans Mashed Potatoes.toh.nancy Mock 3 Jvedit
Alt text: Drained potatoes in a pot being mashed for Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes.
Carefully drain all the water from 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. Using your potato masher, begin to mash the potatoes. This step of mashing over low heat is crucial as it allows any excess moisture to evaporate, resulting in the fluffiest mashed potatoes. Continue mashing until all visible moisture has escaped and the potatoes are broken down.
Step 4: Incorporate the Creamy Ingredients
Pioneer Womans Mashed Potatoes.toh.nancy Mock 4 Jvedit
Alt text: Cream cheese and butter being added to mashed potatoes in a pot for Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes.
Cut the softened cream cheese into cubes and add them to the warm potatoes. Slice the butter into pats and add it to the pot along with the half-and-half. Continue to mash the potatoes, incorporating the cream cheese, butter, and half-and-half until everything is melted and thoroughly combined. Stir in the seasoned salt and black pepper. Taste the mashed potatoes and add more seasoned salt if needed to reach your desired flavor.
Step 5: Bake for a Golden Crust (Optional)
Alt text: Mashed potatoes spread in a baking dish with butter pats on top before baking for Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with butter (or use another baking dish of similar size). 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.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the butter is melted and the potatoes are heated through. For a slightly golden top, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Stir the melted butter through the potatoes before serving immediately. Alternatively, you can refrigerate and reheat them later – see instructions below.
Why We Love Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes
Pioneer Womans Mashed Potatoes.toh.nancy Mock 6 Jvedit
Alt text: A serving of Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes on a plate, showing the creamy texture.
It’s no secret that these mashed potatoes are incredibly indulgent, thanks to the generous amount of butter. But the real magic ingredient? Cream cheese! If you’ve ever wondered about adding cream cheese to mashed potatoes, wonder no more. It elevates the texture to a whole new level of creamy perfection. The combination of butter and cream cheese results in a rich, velvety texture that is simply irresistible. The seasoned salt adds the perfect savory note, creating a balanced and delicious flavor profile. These potatoes boast a wonderful buttery taste that is fantastic on its own or smothered in your favorite homemade gravy.
The absolute best thing about Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes is their make-ahead convenience. Ree Drummond emphasizes that this recipe is ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any large gathering because you can prepare the potatoes a day or two in advance. This allows you to get the potato dish completely out of the way, freeing you up to focus on other elements of your holiday meal on the big day.
Easy Reheating Instructions for Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
If you’ve made your Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes ahead of time, reheating them is simple. After spreading the mashed potatoes in the baking dish, allow them to cool completely. Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for up to 1-2 days.
When you are ready to reheat, Ree Drummond recommends taking the potatoes out of the refrigerator 2 to 3 hours before baking to allow them to come closer to room temperature. This helps them reheat more evenly. Dot the top with a few extra pats of butter to maintain moisture during reheating. Place the dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-30 minutes, or until they are heated through and bubbly.
Top Tips for Perfect Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes
Pioneer Womans Mashed Potatoes.toh.nancy Mock 7 Jvedit
Alt text: Close up of Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes showing texture and butter pats.
- Potato Choice Matters: For the best mashed potatoes, use russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. Russets are starchy and yield fluffy potatoes, while Yukon Golds are slightly less starchy and contribute to a creamier texture and subtle yellow color.
- Hand Masher is Best: Ree Drummond prefers a hand masher over an electric mixer for mashed potatoes. Electric mixers can overwork the potatoes, releasing too much starch and resulting in a gummy texture. A hand masher gives you more control for perfectly creamy, not gummy, mashed potatoes.
- Customize Your Mash: While these mashed potatoes are divine as is, feel free to personalize them with your favorite add-ins. Consider stirring in diced scallions, fresh chives, crispy bacon bits, or shredded sharp cheddar cheese for extra flavor dimensions.
Enjoy the creamy, comforting goodness of Pioneer Woman Mashed Potatoes – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion!
