Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? Get ready to transform your ordinary mashed potatoes into an EPIC, flavor-packed Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Bake that’s about to blow your taste buds into oblivion. This recipe is absolutely INSANE – and I’m not even sorry about it! We’re taking your classic mashed taters to the next level by loading them up with an explosive amount of roasted garlic, rich and creamy goodness, and a cheesy, crispy topping that will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds!). Warning: This dish causes serious food jealousy, so get ready to have your friends and family begging for the recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Bake
This Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Bake is the ultimate comfort food that’s guaranteed to send your taste buds into a flavor paradise. The combination of fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes, roasted garlic, and melty, gooey cheese is an absolute EXPLOSION of deliciousness in every bite. Plus, the crispy, golden-brown topping adds the perfect texture contrast to create a dish that’s both comforting and crave-worthy. Life gave us ingredients, and we’re about to make them LEGENDARY, y’all!
Ingredients
This recipe calls for just a few simple ingredients that come together to create something truly sensational. You’ll need russet potatoes, heavy cream, butter, roasted garlic, shredded cheddar cheese, and a few seasonings to really make the flavors pop. The rich, creamy base and the melty, cheesy topping are what make this dish an absolute MUST-try.
- 2 lbs – Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup – Heavy cream
- 1/2 cup – Unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 head – Roasted garlic, mashed
- 2 cups – Shredded cheddar cheese
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cheddar Cheese: Mozzarella or Gruyère (for a different melty cheese flavor)
- Roasted Garlic: Minced fresh garlic (for a less intense garlic flavor)
How to Make Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Bake
Let’s get to the good stuff, y’all! This Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Bake is a breeze to whip up, and I promise it’ll be worth every single minute of your time.
Step 1: Prep Work
Let’s start by preheating your oven to 400°F. While that’s heating up, peel and cube your potatoes, then get them simmering in a pot of salted water until they’re nice and tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and mash them up until they’re smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Next, it’s time to make the INSANE, flavor-packed garlic mashed potato base. In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, heavy cream, butter, roasted garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until it’s perfectly creamy and dreamy.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Now for the grand finale – the cheesy, crispy topping! Spread the garlicky mashed potato mixture into a baking dish and top it off with a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese. Pop it in the oven and let it bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20-25 minutes.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
As soon as that timer goes off, pull your Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Bake out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, dig in and get ready to experience a true flavor explosion that will have you licking the plate clean!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Bacon, Onions, or Mushrooms: Try adding some crispy bacon, caramelized onions, or sautéed mushrooms to the mashed potato mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- Cheese Blend: Swap out the cheddar for a blend of cheeses, like Parmesan and mozzarella, for an extra cheesy twist.
- Feta or Sour Cream: Top the baked casserole with crumbled feta or dollops of tangy sour cream for a delicious flavor boost.
- Herb Seasoning: Sprinkle some fresh chopped herbs, like rosemary or thyme, over the top of the casserole before baking.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: grilled steak, roasted chicken, or as a show-stopping side dish for a holiday feast.
Storage: Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave for a quick and easy meal anytime.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Get ready to FEAST, because this Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Bake is about to become your new favorite comfort food obsession. Each serving is loaded with 350 calories, 18 grams of fat, and 37 grams of carbs, making it the perfect indulgent side dish or main event. But trust me, the incredible flavor and satisfaction you’ll get from this dish are worth every single calorie. So go ahead, dig in and let your taste buds experience the EPIC, sensational explosion that is this Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Bake!
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 9 g
- Carbs: 37 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I roast the garlic?
To roast the garlic, simply preheat your oven to 400°F. Cut the top off a head of garlic to expose the cloves, drizzle it with a bit of olive oil, and wrap it in foil. Roast for 40-45 minutes, until the cloves are golden brown and super fragrant. Let it cool, then squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skins and you’re good to go!
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! This Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Bake is the perfect make-ahead dish. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. When you’re ready to serve, just pop it in the oven and bake until hot and bubbly.
How can I make this dish more budget-friendly?
To save a few bucks, you can swap out the heavy cream for milk or half-and-half. You can also use a less expensive cheese, like shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack, instead of the fancy stuff. And if you’re feeling really thrifty, you can skip the roasted garlic and just use freshly minced garlic instead.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Sure, no problem! This dish is easily adaptable to be vegetarian-friendly. Simply omit the butter and use olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative instead. And for the cheese topping, go for a vegan or vegetarian shredded cheese.
How can I make this dish healthier?
To lighten things up a bit, you can use low-fat or non-fat milk and cheese. You can also cut back on the butter and use a combination of butter and olive oil or Greek yogurt. And for an extra boost of nutrients, try folding in some spinach or roasted veggies into the mashed potato mixture.
Try These Next
- Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole For Comfort
- Creamy Bacon Cheddar Potato Bake With Garlic Crunch
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Potato Bake
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Bake
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Comfort Food Favorites
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Creamy Garlic Mashed Potato Bake is a comforting dish that combines creamy mashed potatoes with roasted garlic, topped with cheese and baked to perfection. It’s the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.
Ingredients
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 head garlic, roasted
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes.
3. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
4. Add the roasted garlic, heavy cream, melted butter, salt, and pepper to the potatoes.
5. Mash until smooth and creamy.
6. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a greased baking dish and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Notes
For extra flavor, add some grated Parmesan cheese on top before baking.
You can also mix in some cooked bacon bits for a savory twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: mashed potatoes, garlic, comfort food, bake