Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

These Cheesy Mashed Potatoes are light, fluffy, and incredibly creamy thanks to a simple technique and a potato ricer. Finished with butter, warm cream, and Gruyère, they’re the perfect potato side dish that you won't be able to get enough of!

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The Creamiest Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

There is NOTHING I love more than creamy mashed potatoes. I’m a sucker for all things potatoes, but a silky smooth creamy potato puree has got to be up there in my top 5. I took these potatoes to the next level by adding gruyere cheese. Gruyere is a delicious Swiss cheese that melts like a dream and turns the humble potato into a drool-worthy side dish you won’t be able to stop making. I served these spuds with my kick-ass ribeye, but you could also serve these with braised short ribs (recipe coming soon), my creamy Dijon chicken or with my ridiculously delicious pork chop

Few side dishes feel as comforting, nostalgic, or are as universally loved as mashed potatoes. Soft, buttery, and impossibly creamy, this is the kind of dish that quietly steals the show no matter what else is on the table. Whether you’re serving them for a holiday meal, a cozy Sunday dinner, or simply because you’re craving comfort, these cheesy mashed potatoes deliver every single time. And watch out because in 2026, I’m committed to bringing way more savoury recipes your way. What would you like to see?

For these potatoes, the technique is just as important as the ingredients. There’s a good chance you’ve seen a potato ricer on the internet in the last month; they’ve taken the cooking world by storm and might just be my new favourite kitchen tool! Using a potato ricer creates a texture that’s light, fluffy, and silky smooth, no gluey potatoes here. Finished with butter, warm cream, and nutty Gruyère, these are truly the best mashed potatoes when you want something rich, luxurious, and deeply satisfying. This is the viral potato ricer I used!

Ingredients in Mashed Potatoes

This mashed potatoes recipe relies on a short list of ingredients, each chosen for flavour and texture.

  • Potatoes: Large, starchy potatoes create the creamiest base and break down beautifully once cooked. Yukon potatoes work perfectly here!
  • Butter: Adds richness and depth. Room temperature butter melts evenly into the potatoes.
  • Gruyère cheese: Nutty, melty, and flavourful without overpowering the potatoes. You could also use Parmesan instead, but you likely will not get the same consistency.
  • Cream: Warmed cream helps achieve your desired consistency without cooling the potatoes.
  • Fresh thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note that complements the cheese perfectly.
  • Sea salt and cracked pepper: Essential for bringing everything into balance.

How to Make The Best Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Making perfect mashed potatoes is all about respecting the process. 

Prep Your Potatoes 

Start by peeling your potatoes and cutting them into evenly sized cubes. Place them in a large pot, cover with cold water, and salt generously. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Cook Potatoes 

Drain the potatoes well, then immediately put them into the potato ricer and rice them back into the warm pot using a potato ricer. This step creates the lightest texture and prevents overworking the potatoes. (If you don’t have a ricer, here is the link to the one that I use! Alternatively, you can use a potato masher or hand mixer.)

Mix Remaining Ingredients & Serve!

To the warm pot, add butter, warm cream, and grated Gruyère. Place the pot back over low heat and gently stir until everything is melted and silky smooth. Finish with fresh thyme, sea salt, and cracked pepper, then keep warm until serving.

Things to Add to Mashed Potatoes

This simple mashed cheesy potatoes recipe is a beautiful base for customization. You can add roasted garlic for sweetness, chives or green onions for freshness, or swap Gruyère for sharp cheddar or Parmesan. A spoonful of sour cream will add a slight tang to your potatoes.

How to Store Mashed Potatoes

No matter how many people at the table are obsessed with potatoes, there always seems to be leftovers! If these aren’t completely devoured, store leftover homemade mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Mashed potatoes also freeze surprisingly well. Freeze in portions and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

What Are the Best Things to Serve With Mashed Potatoes?

These cheesy mashed potatoes pair beautifully with just about everything. They’re perfect alongside roasted chicken, meatballs, or braised vegetables. They also shine as part of a holiday spread, soaking up gravy and sauces effortlessly. Personally, I made these to go alongside my pan-seared ribeye steak for my birthday! Get the ribeye recipe here.

Why This is The Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe

This recipe delivers on everything we want from mashed potatoes: rich flavour, cloud-like texture, and foolproof technique. Using a potato ricer ensures the potatoes stay light and never gluey, while warm cream and cheese melt seamlessly into every bite. These might just be the creamiest mashed potatoes you’ll ever eat! 

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes FAQ

What are the best potatoes for mashed potatoes? Starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold are ideal. They break down easily and create the fluffiest texture.

How do I thicken mashed potatoes? Place them back over low heat and stir gently to evaporate excess moisture. Adding more cheese can also help.

How do I reheat mashed potatoes? Reheat gently on the stove or in the oven, adding a splash of cream or milk and stirring until smooth.

How long to boil water for mashed potatoes? Once boiling, potatoes typically take 15–20 minutes to become fork-tender, depending on size.

Potato ricer vs potato masher — which is better? I’m absolutely loving my potato ricer right now; it creates the smoothest texture. A potato masher works well too, but produces a slightly more rustic result.

More Delicious Side Dish Recipes

Don’t forget to leave a comment and review below if you tried these mashed potatoes or purchased the ricer! I would love to hear your feedback. Try these other delicious side dish recipes:

Parsnip Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Carrots

Stuffed Squash

TERI ANN CARTY

Food Photographer and Recipe Developer based in Toronto, Canada. 

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The Creamiest Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

These Cheesy Mashed Potatoes are light, fluffy, and incredibly creamy thanks to a simple technique and a potato ricer. Finished with butter, warm cream, and Gruyère, they’re the perfect potato side dish that you won't be able to get enough of!
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Servings: 4 servings
Author: Teri-Ann Carty
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Equipment

  • large pot, stove, rubber spatula or wooden spoon
  • potato ricer or masher

Ingredients

  • 3 large potatoes peeled*
  • 4 tbsp butter room temperature
  • 1 cup gruyere cheese grated
  • ¾ cup cream warmed, add more cream if necessary
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme
  • sea salt and cracked pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Peel potatoes and cut into small cubes.
  • Place in a large pot and cover with cold water. Salt the water and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and partially cover the pot with a lid.
  • Cook potatoes until fork-tender.
  • Once cooked, drain potatoes in a colander.
  • Add potatoes to the ricer over the same pot you boiled them in.
  • Once the potatoes are riced, add butter, cream and cheese to the pot. Place the pot back on the stove over low heat and stir potatoes until silky smooth and cheese has fully melted.
  • Add fresh thyme, sea salt and cracked pepper to taste.
  • Keep warm until ready to serve.

Notes

For a silky smooth texture, peel the potatoes! The skins will get stuck in the ricer otherwise.
You can omit the ricer and mash with a potato masher, but the texture won't be as smooth; however, the potatoes will still be very delicious.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 538kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 629mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1587IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 395mg | Iron: 1mg

*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.

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