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    Home » difficulty » easy

    November 13, 2023 ☆ 15 min recipes

    The BEST Garlicky Mashed Potatoes You Will Ever Make!

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    If you are a mashed potato lover, gather 'round because I'm about to share the easiest mashed potato recipe ever! You'll have the mouthwatering aroma of garlicky mashed potatoes wafting through your kitchen without breaking a sweat, thanks to the superhero of the kitchen—instant mashed potatoes! I know, I know, instant what?! Stick with me, and I promise you'll be the Thanksgiving hero.

    Mashed potatoes in a bowl
    Jump to:
    • Unleashing the Power of Instant Potatoes
    • Garlic Unleashed: Mastering the Art of Infusion
    • Creamy Bliss: Elevating Your Mash Game
    • Elevating Flavor with Fresh Herbs
    • How To Make The Best Garlicky Mashed Potatoes: A Complete How-To Guide
    • Other Potato Recipes To Try Out:
    • An easy recipe with marshmallow fluff: s'mores roll
    • The best use for leftover mashed potatoes: air fryer tacos!
    • How to make a cinnamon roll in the microwave
    • How to make a microwave baked potato
    • The BEST Garlicky Mashed Potatoes You Will Ever Make!
    close-up shot of the mashed potatoes with butter on top

    Unleashing the Power of Instant Potatoes

    pouring instant potatoes into water

    Instant mashed potatoes are about to become your secret weapon. They're the unsung heroes of the kitchen, and with a little love, we're turning them into the canvas for our garlicky masterpiece. Who said Thanksgiving had to be all stress and no fun?

    Garlic Unleashed: Mastering the Art of Infusion

    We will not be settling for garlic powder here. We're going all in with the real deal—fresh garlic. The cloves will infuse your instant mashed potatoes with garlicky goodness that will have your guests going back for thirds. All you need to achieve the best garlic infusion is garlic and butter. That's it!

    close-up shot of mashed potatoes

    Creamy Bliss: Elevating Your Mash Game

    We're diving into the creamy, dreamy world of mashed potatoes, and we're doing it in style. Butter, milk, cheese, sour cream—we're throwing in all the good stuff to make these taters velvety smooth and downright irresistible.

    Elevating Flavor with Fresh Herbs

    Herbs are such an easy way to completely transform your mashed potatoes. Rosemary and thyme will turn them into a whole new level of YUM.

    ingredient shot

    How To Make The Best Garlicky Mashed Potatoes: A Complete How-To Guide

    ingredients:
    • Instant mashed potatoes
    • Water
    • Cheddar cheese
    • Sour cream
    • Milk
    • Salted butter
    • Garlic
    • Salt and pepper
    • Fresh rosemary
    • Fresh thyme
    garlic cooking in butter

    In a pan, heat water until it comes to a boil. In a separate pan, melt the butter and add the garlic. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 30–40 seconds.

    mashed potatoes in a skillet with whisk

    When the water is boiling, add the instant potatoes and whisk until they fluff up into mashed potatoes.

    adding garlic to mashed potatoes

    Once the mashed potatoes are fully combined, add in all of the garlic and the butter. Mix until the garlic is fully combined.

    cracking pepper into mashed potatoes

    Mix in the cheese, milk, sour cream, salt, pepper, and herbs. Top with more fresh herbs and a piece of butter. Serve and enjoy!

    mashed potatoes with  a slab of butter on top

    Other Potato Recipes To Try Out:

    a mug with smores roll inside - on dark background

    An easy recipe with marshmallow fluff: s'mores roll

    This twist combines a s'more with the comfort of a pastry. This recipe with marshmallow fluff is easy and can be made in your microwave!

    air-fryer-tacos-leftover-mashed-potato-holding-taco

    The best use for leftover mashed potatoes: air fryer tacos!

    What's the best use for leftover mashed potatoes? A super easy (and delicious) recipe for air fryer tacos made with leftover mashed potatoes!

    cinnamon-roll-mug-cake-recipe-sprinking-chopped-nuts

    How to make a cinnamon roll in the microwave

    This is my favorite cinnamon roll in the microwave recipe! It has layers of delicious dough, cinnamon yumminess, and  cream cheese frosting!

    hand holding baked potato with toppings on a wood plate

    How to make a microwave baked potato

    When it’s baked potato night but you’re short on time, a microwave-baked potato is a lifesaver and tastes like it took all night to make!

    If you’ve given my Garlicky Mashed Potatoes a try, I would be so grateful if you would rate the recipe with a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below! 

    This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting our small business!

    Print
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    close-up shot of the mashed potatoes with butter on top

    The BEST Garlicky Mashed Potatoes You Will Ever Make!

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    Print Recipe

    If you are a mashed potato lover, gather 'round because I'm about to share the easiest garlicky mashed potatoes recipe ever!

    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 2 servings 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 4oz package of buttery homestyle instant Idahoan Mashed Potatoes
    • Water *see notes*
    • 2-4 cloves of garlic, depending on preference
    • ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • 2.5 tbsp. milk
    • 4 tbsp. butter (3 tbsp. for garlic butter, 1 tbsp. for serving)
    • Salt and pepper
    • 2 tsp. fresh thyme
    • 2 tsp. fresh rosemary

    Instructions

    1. In a pan, heat water until it comes to a boil. In a separate pan, melt the butter and add the garlic. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 30–40 seconds.
    2. When the water is boiling, add the instant potatoes and whisk until they fluff up into mashed potatoes.
    3. Once the mashed potatoes are fully combined, add in all of the garlic and the butter. Mix until the garlic is fully combined.
    4. Mix in the cheese, milk, sour cream, salt, pepper, and herbs. Top with more fresh herbs and a piece of butter. Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    * water measurement is based on the cooking instructions from the mashed potato package

    • Author: dinnercult
    • Prep Time: 3 minutes
    • Cook Time: 7 minutes
    • Category: easy
    • Method: skillet
    • Cuisine: American

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    Hi, I'm Eliza! I love food. I mean, LOVE. IT. But I don't always want to commit hours in the kitchen to cooking it. I think we all deserve a break sometimes! Spend less time preparing, and more time enjoying the food you make!

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