There’s something undeniably comforting about a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes. It’s a side dish that feels like a warm hug, perfect for any day of the week, and it pairs beautifully with just about anything. Today, we’re elevating this classic comfort food with a simple yet transformative ingredient: roasted garlic. The result is our Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes—a dish that’s rich, creamy, and infused with the sweet, mellow flavor of garlic. This recipe is not only a crowd-pleaser but also a testament to how a single ingredient can elevate a dish from the familiar to the extraordinary.
Ingredients
To begin, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 head garlic
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 pounds red potatoes, washed and cut into quarters
- Kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup half and half
- Fresh ground pepper
Directions
1. Roasting the Garlic
The journey to deliciousness starts with roasting the garlic. Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. Cut the top quarter inch off of the garlic head, exposing the individual cloves. Place the garlic head on a piece of foil, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap it tightly. Roast in the oven for about an hour, until the garlic is soft and golden. Once cool, the cloves will squeeze out effortlessly, ready to transform any dish.
2. Cooking the Potatoes
While the garlic is roasting, focus on the potatoes. Place them in a large pot or Dutch oven, covering them with cold water. Add a teaspoon of kosher salt and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot.
3. The Mash
To the cooked potatoes, add the roasted garlic cloves. In a separate container, gently warm the half and half along with the butter until the butter is completely melted. This can be done either on the stove or in a microwave. Pour this liquid gold over the potatoes and garlic, season with salt and pepper to taste, and mash until you reach a creamy consistency, with just a few lumps remaining for texture.
4. Serving
Garnish the mashed potatoes with fresh herbs of your choice and an extra dollop of butter for that irresistible finish. Serve immediately and watch as this dish becomes the highlight of any meal.
Nutritional Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: 6 servings
- Calories: 259 kcal per serving
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes are more than just a side dish; they are a showcase of flavor and comfort. Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this recipe promises to impress. It’s a testament to the magic of roasted garlic and how it can beautifully enhance the simplest of dishes. Enjoy the creamy, garlicky goodness that pairs perfectly with virtually any main course. Bon appétit!
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Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
1 head garlic
1 tsp olive oil
2 pounds red potatoes, washed and cut into quarters
Kosher salt
6 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup half and half
Fresh ground pepper
Instructions
Roast the garlic – cut the top 1/4 inch off of the garlic head. Wrap the garlic head in foil and drizzle olive oil over the garlic. Close the foil around the garlic and roast in oven at 375 degrees F for about an hour. The garlic will be very soft and golden when done. When ready to use, you can easily squeeze the garlic cloves out of the skin.
Place potatoes in a large pot or Dutch oven and cover with cold water. Add 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes or until fork-tender.
Drain and return potatoes to pot, along with the roasted garlic cloves.
Gently warm the half and half and butter until butter is melted (this can be done on the stovetop or microwave). Add to the pot with the potatoes and garlic, along with salt and pepper. Mash until milk and butter are incorporated and potatoes are a creamy consistency with some lumps.
Garnish with fresh herbs and more butter, serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 259