Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bag of russet potatoes (about 5 pounds), peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
- 4 oz Philadelphia cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded fiesta blend cheese
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and dice the russet potatoes into even chunks. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-high and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, approximately 15-20 minutes. Drain thoroughly in a colander.
- Create the Base: Transfer the drained potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and cream cheese while the potatoes are still hot, allowing them to melt into the mixture. Mix well using a potato masher or electric mixer until smooth and well combined.
- Add Flavor Elements: Incorporate the Italian blend cheese, fiesta blend cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder into the potato mixture. Mix thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly throughout the potatoes.
- Enrich the Mixture: Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. These will add richness and help create a beautiful golden crust when baked. Finally, pour in the heavy cream and mix until the consistency is smooth and creamy.
- Prepare for Baking: Spread the potato mixture evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Use a fork to create lines or decorative patterns across the top of the potatoes. This will help create more crispy edges when baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the dish in a preheated 400°F oven and bake for 20 minutes until heated through. Then, switch the oven to broil on high setting and continue cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes, watching carefully until the top becomes crispy and golden brown.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add roasted garlic instead of garlic powder.
- Make ahead tip: You can prepare the mashed potatoes up to the baking step, refrigerate covered for up to 2 days, then bake when ready to serve (may need extra time if cold).
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- The egg yolks create a rich custard-like texture and help with browning, but can be omitted if preferred.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side-dishes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 130mg