Family Favorite Mashed Potato Casserole

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Mashed potato casserole is something my family has been enjoying for as long as I can remember. My Grandmother made it for almost every special occasion feast. It is super creamy, has a little tang, and a little crunchy texture from the breadcrumb top.

Mashed potato casserole is super easy to make, and what’s better, you can make it before the day of the big meal. All you need to do it sprinkle on the breadcrumbs and brown in the oven. One less thing to worry about!

Mashed potatoes are such a great side dish and, pretty much, universally loved. They are perfect for the colder months of the year when you want something warm, and hardy. Perfect for thanksgiving and Christmas!

What makes mashed potato casserole special?

The addition of a few creamy ingredients gives these potatoes that added tang and creaminess.

The first ingredient is cream cheese, this gives it a creaminess and depth of flavour.

The next ingredient is sour cream. This gives it the tang, as well as added creaminess.

The final difference is the crust on top. Right before baking it, you sprinkle on a breadcrumb. I usually set aside some of my dried bread crumbs for stuffing, if I am having this casserole for Christmas or thanksgiving, pulse them in the food processor and sprinkle them on top. If you do not have access to this, any bread crumb will do.

Substitutes

Maybe you can’t find these ingredients, or you want something a little less calorie dense. A few options for substitutions for cream cheese are:

• Mascarpone– This cheese is the one that is the most similar to cream cheese. It is very creamy and has a slight sweetness to it, which is why it is often used in desserts.
• Neufchâtel– This cheese has a very similar taste to cream cheese. It is soft and has a tang just like cream cheese. It often has a lower fat content as well.
• Boursin– This cheese has a more crumbly texture but would melt perfectly throughout the mashed potatoes. Plus there are many different added flavours in Boursin which would go really well with this casserole. I’m thinking the garlic and fine herbs would be amazing!
• Omit the cream cheese and add extra sour cream. – The addition of the cream cheese isn’t strictly necessary. Since you are already using sour cream, you will be getting that delicious creaminess and tang.
• Vegan options: Hummus or cashew cheese, store-bought or homemade vegan cream cheese.

A few options if you need to substitutes the sour cream:

• Greek yogurt– Plain Greek yogurt has almost the same flavour, and texture, as sour cream.
• Buttermilk– This has a tang and slightly runnier texture.
• Crème Fraîche– It has a very similar taste and texture to sour cream.
• Kefir – Has a similar tang, perhaps a bit runnier.
• Vegan Options: Coconut cream or other nut milk, store-bought or homemade vegan sour cream.

Ingredients for Mashed Potato Casserole

Potatoes (I used about 10 russet potatoes) peeled and chopped

¼ cup plain cream cheese

½ cup sour cream

¼ cup butter

½-¾ cup milk (depending on how creamy you want your potatoes)

½-1 teaspoon garlic salt

salt and pepper to taste

½ cup bread crumbs

2 Tablespoons melted butter

Method

1. Peel and roughly chop potatoes
2. Place potatoes into a large pot of water. Bring to a boil for about 30 mins, or until quite tender.
3. Drain potatoes and add to a bowl or casserole dish.
4. Mash the potatoes slightly with a potato masher. Add the butter, cream cheese, and sour cream. Mash and mix to combine.
5. Add some of the milk, and mash, until you have your desired creaminess. (The potatoes will continue to soak up some of the liquid.)
6. Add garlic salt and salt and pepper to taste. Mix.
7. If you are making this casserole the day before, you can cover and store in the refrigerator, at this point.
8. The day of the meal– Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
9. Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top of the potatoes. Drizzle the melted butter on top. (I set aside dried bread crumbs from my stuffing. Just blitz them through the food processor first.)
10. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and the potatoes are warmed through.

Need some holiday dessert ideas? Try these The Best Old-Fashioned Apple Pie The Perfect Pumpkin Pie