Ricotta Mashed Potatoes
These Ricotta Mashed Potatoes are extra creamy and super flavorful. This easy side dish recipe is perfect for any occasion from weeknight meals to Thanksgiving dinners!
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It’s time to take your mashed potatoes to the next level. Ricotta might not be the first ingredient you think about when you think mashed potatoes, but it will make those potatoes extra creamy and extra delicious! These mashed potatoes feature butter, garlic and few simple seasonings – oh and our not-so-secret ingredient: creamy ricotta cheese. These Ricotta Mashed Potatoes are perfect for a weeknight meal or a Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone will be asking for the recipe!
Potatoes might be bland by themselves, but there are so many delicious ways to cook and eat potatoes. From French fries and tater tots to grilled potatoes to potato salad, the list of tasty potato recipes is endless. And we’re adding to that list today with a recipe for Ricotta Mashed Potatoes. Potatoes really are the ultimate comfort food!
Ricotta Mashed Potatoes
These creamy mashed potatoes have amazing flavor. Ricotta cheese in mashed potatoes might be a bit of a unique thought – but these might be my all-time favorite mashed potatoes now. Let’s take a look at what you need to make this recipe:
- Potatoes: I’m partial to red potatoes, but Yukon gold potatoes are a good substitute as well. Russet potatoes are another option, although I feel that Russets are better for baked potatoes than mashed potatoes. Feel free to peel the potatoes or leave them unpeeled. I personally like the extra texture that comes from leaving the potatoes unpeeled.
- ½-and-½: Adds moisture and makes the potatoes super creamy. You can use 2% milk, whole milk or heavy cream here, too.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds that classic buttery flavor that we associate with mashed potatoes. I always prefer to use unsalted butter and then add salt later in the recipe.
- Garlic: The fresh garlic flavor pairs so well with ricotta. Don’t leave it out…unless you hate garlic!
- Ricotta Cheese: Use whole milk ricotta (i.e. full-fat ricotta) for ultimate flavor and creamy texture in these mashed potatoes.
- Seasonings and Herbs: A simple combination of kosher salt, pepper and chopped fresh chives adds all the flavor you’ll need here.
What is Ricotta Cheese?
Ricotta cheese is a mild, soft Italian cheese made from whey that is leftover from making other types of cheese. It can be used in sweet and savory recipes – it’s perhaps best known as a key ingredient in lasagna. However, because ricotta cheese is soft and creamy, it also makes for a great addition to mashed potatoes!
One bite of these potatoes, and you’ll be hooked! The secret ingredient adds such a unique flavor that pairs so well with the potatoes. In fact, this side dish might become your favorite recipe for the entire meal!
How to Store Leftovers
We’ve found that these Ricotta Mashed Potatoes are still creamy the next day in leftover form. Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, place potatoes in a microwave covered with a wet paper towel. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each one, until heated through.
If you’re looking for a fantastic side dish, then put this recipe on the menu. These delicious mashed potatoes are an absolute favorite in our house – and I hope they become a favorite in your house, too! Enjoy!
Did you make this Ricotta Mashed Potatoes recipe at home? Leave a comment or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see your version!
Ricotta Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 pounds red potatoes cut into 2” pieces
- ½ cup half-and-half
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 Tbsp chopped fresh chives plus more for garnishing
Instructions
- Using a large pot or Dutch oven, add potatoes and cover with cold water.
- Place pot over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-high and cook until fork-tender (~20-25 minutes).
- Drain potatoes and place them into a large bowl; set aside.
- Using a small saucepan, add half-and-half, butter and garlic. Place pan over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, or until butter has melted. Set saucepan aside.
- Using a potato masher or handheld mixer, mash the potatoes until smooth.
- Slowly stir in the warm melted butter mixture.
- Add ricotta, salt, pepper and chives; stir until well combined.
- Before serving, garnish with additional chives.
Looking for more potato recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
I need to try this soon for me BTW cant wait to make your recipes soon for me
Thanks, Ramya – I hope you enjoy these mashed potatoes!
ooh that’s funny – my next blog post is yep you guessed it! Potatoes; already scheduled so pure co-incidence. These sound delish David.
sherry
Haha – that’s awesome, Sherry! There are so many tasty ways to cook potatoes. 🙂
These sound absolutely delicious David. Why have I never thought of this. We add lots of butter and full cream milk to our spuds, so we will love yours.
I’m with ya, Pauline! Adding ricotta cheese is a fun twist, and these potatoes are delicious. Give ’em a try!!
I am so going to try this for the holidays. I’ve never added ricotta to potatoes before – thanks for sharing this one, my friend!
Ricotta might not be the first thing you think about with mashed potatoes…but it’s SO good! I hope you enjoy this one, Shashi!
David, these ricotta mashed potatoes look absolutely incredible! I’ve never thought to add ricotta to my potatoes before, but it makes total sense for getting that perfectly fluffy, rich texture. This is definitely going on my list of easy Thanksgiving side dishes to try this year. I love that you used fresh chives and garlic for that extra pop of flavor.
Ricotta might sound odd at first, but it’s a fantastic add-in for mashed potatoes. Definitely give it a try! Thanks, Betty!
That ricotta takes your loaded mashed potatoes to the next-level of indulgence! And it’s all served up in a grand scale to please the whole crowd, making it perfect for Thanksgiving. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful holiday upgrade!
The ricotta adds a wonderful background flavor to mashed potatoes. Definitely give it a try!
What a great twist, David! Ricotta in mashed potatoes sounds so creamy and delicious – definitely something I’d love to try for the holidays!
Definitely add some ricotta into those mashed potatoes next time you make a batch! The flavor and texture with the ricotta mixed in is amazing. Thanks, Ben!