Recipe: Smashed Potato Casserole (2024)

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Nealey Dozier

Nealey Dozier

Nealey Dozier is a former wedding planner turned chef, culinary instructor, recipe developer, and food writer. She is based in Atlanta. You can find more of her Southern adventures in eating and entertaining at www.dixiecaviar.com.

updated Nov 15, 2019

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Recipe: Smashed Potato Casserole (1)

A make ahead-friendly recipe for creamy mashed potatoes baked in a casserole and topped with lots of Parmesan cheese.

Serves6 to 8

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Recipe: Smashed Potato Casserole (2)

Mashed potatoes are a family favorite, but this decadent casserole takes the classic to a whole new level. The flavors of a fully loaded baked potato are baked until gooey and bubbling, making this dish impossible to resist. It’s holiday-worthy for sure, but don’t wait for a special occasion. Add this comfort food to your list of fall favorites — and oh yeah, don’t forget to share!

A hazard of being a recipe developer is working ahead of the calendar, so I’ve probably been in fall cooking mode a bit longer than most. Thankfully this weekend will bring a drop in temperatures that will finally match the food I have been craving. What can I say other than bring on the braises, hot cocoa, and anything in a casserole dish!

This decadent side is my new cold weather go-to — it’s hearty comfort food in creamy, cheesy form. I’ve already brought it to a steak dinner and a Southern tailgate, both times to rave reviews. And since I’ve been getting plenty of recipe requests I figured it was time that I share.

One of the things I love about this casserole is how it can take many different forms. I’ve done variations with both hash browns and mashed potatoes, but I think smashed just might be my favorite — the chunky potatoes provide a welcome textural contrast to the sour cream and cheese. I’ve also tried both baking the potatoes and boiling them, and really you can do whichever method you like best. Sub Greek yogurt for a bit of tang or dress it up with silky crème fraîche. In the end it’s hard to mess this one up!

I promise this casserole will be gobbled up and have your family begging for more. After a long summer of salads and fresh veggies, go ahead and indulge.

This casserole is such a smart recipe to have in your back pocket. It’s all the great things about mashed potatoes, made even better with extra cheese and a crispy lid. I love how make-ahead-friendly it is, which means it’s the perfect choice for Thanksgiving and other festive occasions throughout the colder months. I’ve increased the amount of milk from the original recipe to ensure the potatoes are nice and creamy and bumped up the Parmesan cheese so the top gets extra golden — two things I don’t think anyone will complain about.

Sheela, October 2018

Comments

A make ahead-friendly recipe for creamy mashed potatoes baked in a casserole and topped with lots of Parmesan cheese.

Serves 6 to 8

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds

    russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

  • 1 cup

    (8 ounces) sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

  • 1 cup

    whole or 2% milk, plus more as needed

  • 8 ounces

    sharp cheddar cheese, grated (about 2 1/2 cups)

  • 2

    medium shallots, minced (about 1/2 cup)

  • 2 teaspoons

    kosher salt

  • 1/2

    teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 cup

    grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Meanwhile, place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender and a knife pierces easily to the center.

  2. Drain the potatoes, then return them to the pot. Add the sour cream or yogurt and milk. Using a potato masher, smash until your desired texture is reached, adding more milk as needed. Add the cheddar, shallots, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed.

  3. Transfer the potato mixture to a medium gratin or baking dish (about 2 1/2 quarts) and spread into an even layer. Bake until warmed through, about 30 minutes.

  4. Remove the baking dish from the oven. Turn the oven onto broil. Sprinkle the casserole with the Parmesan cheese. Broil until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: This casserole can assembled in the baking dish and refrigerated up to 1 day ahead. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Filed in:

autumn

Casserole

Cheese

dairy

dinner

Recipe: Smashed Potato Casserole (2024)

FAQs

What is the recipe for Rachael Ray's smashed potatoes? ›

directions
  1. Boil potatoes until tender, 15 minutes. ...
  2. When the potatoes are tender, drain them and return them to the hot pot to let them dry out a bit.
  3. Mash potatoes with half-and-half or milk using a potato masher.
  4. Add in the cream cheese and smash until the cheese melts into the potatoes.
  5. Add chives or scallions.

Why are my smashed potatoes falling apart? ›

This could be caused by a few things. Your potatoes may be under-cooked: If the potatoes aren't boiled all the way through, they may not hold their shape when being smashed and then crumble. Your potatoes may be over-smashed: Don't be too aggressive when smashing the potatoes as this can cause them to break apart.

How does Gordon Ramsay make smashed potatoes? ›

Gordon Ramsay begins by boiling the potatoes in salted water. Next, he drains the potatoes. After that, he stirs in butter, sour cream, herbs, and seasoning. This is Gordon Ramsay's version of smashed potatoes, which differs from the one in this recipe.

How do you make a sweet potato casserole not runny? ›

Eggs and cream help stabilize the dish and prevent it from becoming too runny (a common complaint with many sweet potato casserole recipes). Make it as smooth or chunky as you like!

How to make mashed potatoes Paula Deen? ›

directions
  1. In a medium saucepan, cook the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. ...
  2. Add the butter, sour cream and garlic.
  3. Mashr the potatoes with a potato masher or the back of a fork until the ingredients are blended.
  4. Add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes are the desired consistency.

How do you thicken smashed potatoes? ›

Option 1: Turn up the heat on your stovetop to draw out the moisture. Option 2: Add a teaspoon of a thickening agent like cornstarch, flour or powdered milk until you reach the desired thickness. Option 3: Mix in 1 tablespoon of dehydrated potatoes until mashed potatoes are thicker.

Are smashed potatoes bad for you? ›

High in Calories and Fat: Mashed potatoes can become less healthy when they are prepared with excessive amounts of butter, cream, or other high-fat ingredients, making them calorie-dense and high in saturated fats.

What is the difference between smashed and mashed potatoes? ›

While some people might use the terms smash and mash interchangeably, they are not the same. 'Smash' is when you merely break something into pieces. However, "mash" means you reduce a food to a soft, pulpy mass.

Is it good to eat smashed potatoes? ›

Eating mashed potatoes is healthy if you eat them as a side dish with other healthy foods. However, eating mashed potatoes every day can be harmful if you eat them without moderation. Eating mashed potatoes is healthy if you eat them with butter and gravy.

How many smashed potatoes per person? ›

Although the serving size for mashed potatoes is 1 cup, if you're making mash as a side dish, you can halve this amount. Or not! It depends on how hungry you're feeling. You can also batch cook mashed potatoes and have leftovers for the next day.

Why put a raw egg in mashed potatoes? ›

Adding egg yolks to a pot of mashed potatoes is an easy, dairy-free texture and taste upgrade that doesn't require any special techniques. The yolks harbor all the flavorful fats and emulsifying components and will thus effectively unify the fat and water in potatoes, translating to a smoother, uniformly creamy pot.

Why do chefs soak potatoes in water? ›

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

Why put egg in sweet potato casserole? ›

The egg is the all-important binder in a sweet potato casserole: it enriches and stiffens the mixture without making it heavy. Make sure to cool the mash slightly before adding the egg so it doesn't scramble, and to stir well so there are no streaks of cooked egg white in the finished dish.

How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

Are yams and sweet potatoes the same? ›

No, yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. Yams have rough, dark brown skin that is often compared to tree bark, and their flesh is dry and starchy like a regular potato. Sweet potatoes have smooth reddish skin, softer flesh (when cooked), and a sweet flavor.

How does Rachael Ray keep her mashed potatoes warm? ›

Rachael Ray's Solution for Keeping Mashed Potatoes Warm

"Hold your mashed potatoes in a bain-marie, or water bath, with a lid on top [and] they stay for hours — days really," Ray, who recently partnered with Home Chef, said in an interview with Allrecipes. The method is oh-so-simple.

What's the difference between smashed potatoes and mashed potatoes? ›

And yes, smashed and mashed are two distinct things. While some people might use the terms smash and mash interchangeably, they are not the same. 'Smash' is when you merely break something into pieces. However, "mash" means you reduce a food to a soft, pulpy mass.

What tool do you use to make smashed potatoes? ›

A potato ricer is widely regarded as the best tool for mashed potatoes that are smooth and fluffy.

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