Rich and Creamy Mashed Potato Casserole

Updated October 21, 2024

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 heat 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, Easter, and Christmas!

How to store mashed potato casserole

This rich mashed potato casserole stores extremely well and is a great meal prep or make ahead side dish.

Fridge

To store the mashed potato casserole in the fridge,

• Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature
• Cover completely in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container
• Store in the fridge for up to 5 days

Frozen

This casserole is an ideal freezer friendly recipe. To store in the freezer,

• Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature
• Cover completely in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container
• Store in the freezer for up to 3 months

If you are making this casserole in advance to freeze for later, leave the bread crumb topping off. Sprinkle this topping on fresh when you are ready to reheat and bake the casserole

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.

Can I substitute the breadcrumb crust?

Absolutely! There are so many great crust options that will pair perfectly with this creamy potato casserole. Try one of these,

Dried stuffing – Boxed stuffing is really just a box of dried cubed and seasoned bread. Crush the dried bread into crumbs and layer on top of the casserole for an extra flavourful crispy topping.

Homemade Bread – If you have bread at home that is past it’s prime, cut it into cubes and dry it out in a 200 °F (95 °C) oven for about 1 hour or until dried and crumbly. Crush the bread into crumbs and layer that on top of the casserole.

Packaged bread crumbs – By store bough prepackaged bread crumbs from the store for the quickest and easiest way to top this casserole dish.

Crackers – Try crushing crackers and using in place of bread crumbs. No drying required! Butter crackers like Ritz are a perfect choice for this casserole or pair with a cheesy cracker for even more flavour.

Crumbled chips – Crunched up plain flavoured chips on top. They stay crisp and give the casserole a great savoury flavour.

Cheese – A simple layer of shredded cheese to melt and crisp on top is a perfect topping for this recipe

Crispy chow mein noodles – Whole or broken up this is a great alternative to top this casserole.

Cereal – Give a quick crumble to cereal like Corn Flakes for the perfect quick and easy crunchy topping.

Bacon bits, chives, and cheese – For a loaded baked potato flavour, top this casserole with your favourite baked potato toppings!

Ingredients for Mashed Potato Casserole

8-10 Potatoes peeled and chopped

¼ cup plain cream cheese 57 g

½ cup sour cream 125 ml

¼ cup butter 60 g

½-¾ cup milk (depending on how creamy you want your potatoes) 125 – 175 ml

1 teaspoon garlic salt 5 ml

salt and pepper to taste

½ cup bread crumbs 125 ml

2 Tablespoons melted butter 30 ml

Method

1. Wash, peel, and roughly chop the potatoes.
2. Bring the potatoes to a boil, in a large pot of salted water, for about 30 mins or until quite tender.

3. Drain potatoes.

4. Mash with a potato masher

5. Mash in and melt butter, cream cheese, and sour cream.

6. Stir in the milk, until you have your desired creaminess. (The potatoes will continue to soak up the liquid.)

7. Mix in garlic salt and salt and pepper to taste.

8. Layer into a casserole dish

9. If you are making this casserole the day before, cover and store in the refrigerator. (If not continue on with the recipe.)

10. The day of the meal– Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C).

11. Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top of the potatoes. Drizzle the melted butter overtop.

12. 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

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