Baked Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes
These scrumptious Baked Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes are creamy and flavorful. They have a subtle garlic and herb flavor combination that appeals to everyone. They’re the ideal special occasion side dish for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Sunday supper with the family. They’re not only mouthwateringly delicious, but they can be prepared and assembled in advance and baked just before serving.

Easy Baked Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes Recipe
It’s no secret how much Americans love potatoes, I dare say it’s a universal phenomenon. We certainly do our part to consume a variety of spuds in the South for weeknight dinners, the holidays and entertaining friends and family. There’s no better time than special gatherings and the holidays to serve them Southern-style. Assemble these cheesy mashed potatoes one day in advance and bake them just before serving for a low stress side dish. How do you make Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)
- Potatoes – In a large pot, cook potatoes with in salted water over medium-high heat until fork-tender.
- Whip Potatoes – Drain the potatoes, then return and whip with butter, half and half, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and nutmeg.
- Mix-ins – By hand fold in shredded cheddar cheese, garlic-herb cheese spread, and fresh chives. Stir to combine.
- Transfer to Dish – Pour potato mixture into a casserole dish. Sprinkle the top with remaining shredded cheese.
- Chill – Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
- Oven – Uncover mashed potato casserole and bake per the cook time in the recipe until golden brown.

How to Make the BEST Baked Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Baked Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes: Russet potatoes peeled and cubed, salt, butter, granulated garlic and onion powder, white or black pepper, half and half, butter, shredded sharp cheddar cheese and spreadable garlic and herb cheese such as Alouette or Boursin.
- Kitchen tools you’ll need: 13×9-inch baking dish, large pot, measuring cups and spoons, hand mixer, vegetable peeler, cheese grater, sharp knife and cutting board.
- When making mashed potatoes, it’s important that you cube the potatoes into similar size chunks so they’ll cook evenly.
- Cover the cubed potatoes with cold water leaving about 1-2-inches of head space.
- Salt the water and don’t be shy. This is the opportunity to season the potatoes while they cook.
- Cook the potatoes until the point of a sharp knife glides easily into the centers. Don’t overcook them or the starch will break down and the potatoes will turn to mush. They should be tender, not mushy.
- Drain cooked potatoes well before whipping them with the butter, half and half and seasonings.
- Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to get the creamiest texture. You may also opt to use a potato masher or a potato ricer for a chunkier texture.
- Variations: You can use any variety of different cheeses in this recipe. Gruyere, Parmesan cheese, Mozzarella, Gouda or any of your favorite. You could also add crispy bacon to the potato mixture and experiment with different herbs like thyme or rosemary.
- Substitutions: You can use Alouette or Boursin spreadable cheese in this recipe. You can replace chives with finely chopped green onions.
- You can use russet potatoes or yukon gold potatoes in this cheesy mashed potato casserole recipe.
- Make the Mashed Potato Casserole: These make ahead mashed potatoes can be assembled up to 2 days in advance then cooled, covered with foil or plastic wrap and chilled. Bring to room temperature for 15-20 minutes or so, then top with butter just before baking.
- Storage and Leftovers: Store Baked Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes chilled in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: You can reheat leftovers in single servings in the microwave or in a 350°F oven with a piece of aluminum foil on top, just until heated through.
- Freezer: Store Baked Mashed Potatoes frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat prior to serving.

When to Serve Mashed Potatoes
There’s no wrong answer here. Mashed potatoes are consummate comfort food that’s certain to complement most any entrée. I’m certain your loved ones are the similar to mine, any potato dish will do. They go with Delicious Southern Meatloaf, tender and juicy Slow Cooked Turkey Breast for the holidays or classic Chicken Fried Steak and Gravy. Serve them with downhome Hamburger Steak or Buttermilk Fried Chicken, too.

More Southern Style Potato Recipes To Make
These dreamy make ahead garlic herb mashed potatoes are a special dish and while the end result is delicious, they’re also easy to make in advance. Serve them with steak, turkey, ham, or chicken and watch ’em go. More potato recipes you may like to add to the menu:
- Slow Cooked Scalloped Potatoes with Ham is ideal for using up that leftover holiday ham.
- Parmesan Rosemary Roasted Potatoes are regulars in my kitchen just to name a few.
- Sweet Potato Casserole topped with a buttery pecan streusel.
- These Nested Potato Skins are made in a muffin pan.
- Spicy Sweet Potato Fries made in the oven.
- Sour Cream and Onion Smashed Potato Casserole is another make ahead Southern style side dish.
- Easy Twice Baked Potatoes can be made in as many servings as you like.
- Sheet Pan Hash Browns and Eggs from Land O’ Lakes.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Baked Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 lbs russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 2 tsp salt divided use
- 6 Tbsp butter softened and divided
- 3/4 cup half and half plus additional as needed
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black or white pepper
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese divided
- 1 6.5 oz container spreadable garlic-herb cheese i.e. Boursin or Alouette
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter bottom and sides of a 13×9- inch baking dish with 1 Tbsp butter or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large pot, cover cubed potatoes with cold water. Season water with 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil cooking over medium-high heat until fork-tender, about 12-15 minutes. Drain well.
- Return potatoes to pot. Using an electric mixer whip in 4 Tbsp butter, half and half, 1 tsp salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and nutmeg. Whip for 2 minutes or until creamy and fully combined. Add additional half and half as needed while whipping. Taste and adjust the salt to your taste.
- By hand, mix in 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, garlic-herb cheese spread, and chives. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Pour potato mixture into the prepared dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the top with remaining shredded cheddar cheese. Bake immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
- If chilled, remove from refrigerator at least 30 minutes before baking. Dot the top with the remaining 1 Tbsp of butter (more if desired) then place into the preheated oven.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are heated through. Let stand 5 minutes, then serve.
Notes
- Variations: You can use any variety of different cheeses in this recipe. Gruyere cheese, Parmesan cheese, Mozzarella cheese, Gouda cheese or any of your favorite. You could also add crispy bacon to the potato mixture and experiment with different herbs like thyme or rosemary.
- Substitutions: You can use Alouette or Boursin spreadable cheese in this recipe. You can replace chives with finely chopped green onions.
- You can use russet potatoes or yukon gold potatoes in this cheesy mashed potato casserole recipe.
- Make the Mashed Potato Casserole: These make ahead mashed potatoes can be assembled up to 2 days in advance then cooled, covered with foil or plastic wrap and chilled. Allow them to stand for 15-20 minutes or so, then top with butter just before baking.
- Storage and Leftovers: Store Baked Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes chilled in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: You can reheat in single servings in the microwave or in a 350°F oven with a piece of aluminum foil on top, just until heated through.
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These are amazing! Excellent recipe! You are a master at adding just the right ingredient to take the basics up a notch. Thank you!
Aww thank you so much!
Melissa,
I have a question you changed this recipe? I made them yesterday the new way and they weren’t near as good. Is there a reason you change them?
There still good but just not as good to me.
Love your site.
Janet
I’m not sure what you mean this recipe isn’t changed it’s the same as it has always been. Not sure what would have been an issue for you.
They have changed a little. It use to call for 3 tablespoons of butter not 6, and 2 cups of sharp white cheddar not 3.
Those mashed potatoes look GREAT. mashed are my favorite. Please post a recipe on Southern Fried Chicken. What type of Batter is used? ETC
Thanks! I already have several fried chicken recipes in the recipe index that you can browse here.
Melissa, do the baked mashed potatoes freeze well? If so, How long should they defrost? How long reheat? Thanks.
Hi Donna, they do. Assemble them and freeze prior to baking. Just defrost them overnight in the fridge and you’ll be good to go.