These are the BEST Garlic Mashed Potatoes! They’re rich, cheesy, and flavored with delicious roasted garlic! Mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish for holiday dinners or anytime you’re craving some serious comfort food. Plus, you can skip the hassle of boiling the potatoes – my quick cooking method makes this a super easy recipe to make.

A bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with parsley. A garlic bulb and fresh parsley are in the background, along with a fork and a linen napkin nearby.

What is pot roast, turkey, baked ham or steak without a side of homemade mashed potatoes to go with them? In my opinion, mashed potatoes are the ultimate side dish and my recipe is easy to make and has tons of flavor.

Sure, you could make plain potatoes, but using roasted garlic takes your basic mashed potato side dish and elevates it to a whole new level. Roasting garlic is really easy and it gives whatever you add it to a more complex flavor. It’s sweet, caramelized, and less pungent than raw garlic – in other words, it’s just amazingly delicious.

Ingredients on a white surface include whole gold potatoes, garlic cloves, cheddar cheese, black pepper, olive oil, and salt. A blue and white checkered cloth is partially visible. Each ingredient is labeled.

Ingredient Notes

Yukon Gold potatoes – these are the best potatoes for mashed potatoes because they’re not too starchy. You can also use russet potatoes or red potatoes.
Olive oil – instead of butter, I like to use olive oil which is lighter and not as heavy and rich as butter.
Roasted garlic – I recommend making your roasted garlic ahead of time, it’s easy to do and will keep in the fridge for several days.
Shredded cheddar cheese – this is our favorite, but you could sub Parmesan, Monterey jack or even pepper jack cheese for a different twist.

Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

A glass bowl filled with mashed potatoes on a white countertop. Nearby are small bowls containing shredded cheese, black pepper, and salt. A blue and white checkered cloth is partially visible beside the bowl.

A glass bowl filled with mashed potatoes and grated cheese on a white marble surface. Next to the bowl are small dishes of shredded cheese, black pepper, and salt. A blue and white checkered cloth is placed nearby.

How to Make the Best Mashed Potatoes

To make this recipe really easy, I skip boiling the potatoes and cook them in the microwave instead. You don’t have to drag out the large pot and wait for the water to boil.
You do not have to skin the potatoes!
Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork and then heat them in the microwave (without the holes they’ll explode – the steam needs to be able to escape).
Once your potatoes are cooked, place them in a bowl and mash them with a potato masher.
Add all of the other ingredients and mix them together. Mash them with the potato masher until they are as smooth as you like them. We prefer them a little lumpier!

Pair this with…

This is a great side dish for Thanksgiving if your serving turkey or ham, but they’re easy enough for weeknight dinners, too – especially if you make your roasted garlic ahead of time. We always have some in our fridge. Here are some of our favorite main dishes to serve them with:

Skip the noodles and serve Swedish Meatballs with mashed potatoes instead!
Or pair them with our BBQ Meatballs – it’s a great flavor combo.
Our easy Chicken Tenders are perfect with mashed potatoes, too!
For a cozy comfort food dinner, serve them with our favorite Meatloaf or Mini Meatloaf!
These are perfect served with brown or mushroom gravy.

A bowl of creamy potato salad topped with chopped parsley, served in a light blue dish against a white background.

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Expert Tips

If you prefer smoother mashed potatoes, you can remove the potato skins and then mash them until they are smooth.
For extra creamy mashed potatoes, add some sour cream.
Add some chives or fresh herbs for garnish.