Mashed potatoes are a dinner time staple. They’re also a must-have around the holidays and a comfort food for many! But if you find your stove completely full with other dishes, have no fear! Microwave mashed potatoes are easy to make and they whip up just as smooth and fluffy as stovetop mashed potatoes!
Free up space in your kitchen by making use of your microwave for this holiday side dish (or for dinner next week)!
Microwavable Mashed Potatoes
If you need a quick and easy side dish, you can make mashed potatoes in the microwave and never have to turn on your oven!
You can get the same buttery, rich flavor you’re used to when you prepare the potatoes in a more traditional way.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Time saving – You don’t have to boil water and then boil the potatoes. You do it all at once!
- Easy variations – You can easily tweak this recipe to make them the best mashed potatoes for your family!
- Delicious leftovers – Leftovers are easy to store and they reheat well, so you can make extras and save them for tomorrow! You can also make them ahead of time!
What Kind of Potato is Best for Mashed Potatoes?
Russet potatoes (Idaho potatoes) are the best potatoes for making mashed potatoes. They have a high starch content so they work well. You’ll get potatoes that are light and fluffy.
You can also try Yukon Golds. They have a more buttery flavor and not quite as much starch. They will give you thick and creamy mashed potatoes.
Ingredients & Equipment
Another great thing about this recipe is that it has a very simple shopping list:
- Medium russet potatoes
- Half and half
- Butter (you can use salted or unsalted butter but if you use salted, taste the potatoes before adding additional salt)
- Salt & black pepper
You can find the full measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
The equipment you’ll need to make these spuds are also pretty standard:
- 1-2 large mixing bowls
- Potato peeler
- Potato masher
- Electric hand mixer
And obviously, you’ll also need a microwave!
How to Make Mashed Potatoes in Microwave
This recipe makes 4 servings. It takes 10 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes of cook time.
Wash, peel, and dice the potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
Then place the potatoes in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the bowl. Then cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Poke holes in the plastic to vent.
Microwave for 10 to 12 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Use a toothpick to test if the potatoes are tender. Add additional cooking time, if needed.
Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and transfer the potatoes to another large bowl for mashing, if needed.
Mash the potatoes using a potato masher or a form. You want to get out as many lumps as possible.
Add the half and half, butter, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Stir together and then use an electric mixer to combine until light and fluffy. Add more half and half, if needed.
Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Variations & Substitutions
You can turn this recipe into the perfect mashed potato recipe by tweaking the flavors to your favorites. Try some of these variations and substitutions:
- Yukon gold potatoes – Try different types of potatoes to see how they change the flavor and consistency.
- Parmesan or cheddar cheese – Cheesy potatoes are also another great comfort food! Stir in some grate parmesan or cheddar cheese for extra flavor.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt – Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to make your potatoes extra creamy. It will also give them a bit of a tang. Start small with the amount you use until you get the flavor you like.
- Milk or heavy cream – You can use milk or heavy cream in place of the half and half, if desired. Milk will give you the lightest mashed potatoes and cream will give you super creamy potatoes.
- Add additional herbs and seasonings like thyme, rosemary, etc. Then garnish with parsley.
- Bacon bits & chives – Stir in some bacon bits and chives to give your mashed potatoes more of a loaded flavor.
Leftovers & Storage
You can store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
I do not recommend freezing mashed potatoes because the texture tends to change when you thaw them out.
To reheat leftover mashed potatoes, put them in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of liquid (half and half, milk, etc.) and stir. Then cover with a lid to keep the moisture in and heat at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and check temperature. Heat for additional time, if needed.
Recipe Tips
- You can leave the skin on your potatoes if you prefer more of the homestyle mashed potatoes.
- Cut all of your potatoes to similar sizes so they cook evenly.
- Go light on the salt and pepper to start. Then add to taste right at the end.
- For extremely smooth potatoes, try using a potato ricer instead of a potato masher.
- For chunkier mashed potatoes, don’t mash them as much. Or you skip the electric mixer and only mash them with the potato masher or fork.
FAQs
Can you microwave mashed potatoes?
Absolutely! This recipe shows you how to make microwave mashed potatoes. You can also use the microwave to reheat potatoes.
Can you make mashed potatoes ahead of time and reheat in microwave?
This recipe is perfect for making ahead! Allow your potatoes to cool completely and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
When ready to serve, put the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish and add a splash of liquid then stir. Heat in the microwave for one minute at half power. Stir and check temperature.
More Potato Recipes
If you’re looking for other great ways to make potatoes, try one of these recipes:
Microwave Mashed Potatoes
Equipment
- 1-2 Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
- 3/4 to 1 cup half and half
- 1/4 cup butter cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the potatoes into 1-inch pieces and place in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of water and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Poke holes in the plastic to vent.
- Microwave 10 to 12 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Check tenderness with a toothpick.
- Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and transfer the potatoes to a larger bowl for mashing, if needed.
- Mash the potatoes with potato masher or fork.
- Add the half and half, butter, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Stir to combine. Then use electric mixer to mix until smooth and fluffy. Add more half and half, if needed.
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