The Cheesecake Factory serves up some of the most memorable mashed potatoes in the restaurant world, and this easy copycat recipe brings that same magic to your kitchen. Unlike typical mashed potatoes, these use red potatoes with some of the skin left on for rustic charm and extra flavor. The combination of earthy potatoes, rich butter, and heavy cream creates a side dish so good it might steal the spotlight from your main course.
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What makes the Cheesecake Factory Mashed Potatoes so good?
Simple yet simply delicious, Cheesecake Factory Mashed Potatoes is the kind of side dish that can capture the spotlight of any meal. Made with earthy red potatoes, rich butter, heavy cream, and just a touch of salt, they are a bit rustic with their skins and texture, but they deliver a gourmet flavor.
You’ll definitely want to keep this Cheesecake Factory Mashed Potatoes recipe on hand, as these potatoes pair well with everything from hearty roasts and grilled meats to vegetarian dishes.
Cheesecake Factory Mashed Potatoes ingredients and their roles
For the Cheesecake Factory Mashed Potatoes recipe, you’ll need:
- Red potatoes – are essential since they have the ideal consistency and a tasty thin skin that brings a ton of flavor to the dish.
- Salt – flavors the water to enhance the taste of the potatoes and is then used to adjust the seasoning at the end, ensuring everything is well-balanced.
- Salted butter – adds a savory element along with more even seasoning than adjusting the level of salt right before serving.
- Heavy cream – brings a rich creaminess to the mashed potatoes, dilutes the starch to thin them out, and prevents clumping.
How to make the mashed potatoes
To prepare copycat Cheesecake Factory Mashed Potatoes:
- Rinse the red potatoes under cold water and scrub them lightly to remove any dirt.
- Use a vegetable peeler to remove a little more than half of the skin. Leaving some skin on adds to the taste of the mashed potatoes and gives the dish a rustic charm.
- Cut the red potatoes into two-inch cubes and place them in a large pot.
- Cover the potatoes with about an inch of cold water and add 1 tablespoon of salt per quart of water.
- Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender enough to be pierced with a fork. You may need to adjust the heat to maintain a constant, steady boil.
- Transfer the potatoes to a colander in the sink and let them drain for a few minutes. Toss the potatoes a few times while waiting to remove as much water as possible.
- Return the cooked potatoes to the pot and smash with a potato masher. Leave some small chunks of potatoes for texture.
- Add 13 tablespoons of the butter and mix gently until it melts into the potatoes. Stir in the heavy cream.
- Taste the mashed potatoes and add more salt, if needed.
What to serve with copycat Cheesecake Factory Mashed Potatoes
There are almost endless ways to use these mashed potatoes. Here are a few wonderful options:
Simple Roast Chicken with Lemon and Herbs – Knowing how to prepare a delicious whole roast chicken gives you a ton of dinner flexibility. This recipe may be simple, but the combination of tart lemon, fragrant herbs, and plenty of butter transforms an inexpensive chicken into a gourmet meal that goes wonderfully with mashed potatoes.
Perfect Oven Roast Beef – Impressive with minimum effort, roast beef is one of those recipes that people have stopped making, which needs a revival. With the simple technique revealed in this recipe, even newbie cooks can get tender, juicy beef with a wonderful crust the first time.
Cheesecake Factory’s Loaded Baked Potato Tots – Turn your mashed potatoes into the cheesiest, most delicious tater tots you’ve ever tried. These homemade baked tots are crammed with two types of cheese, bacon, and green onion for the ultimate snack or side.
Storage and reheating instructions for mashed potatoes
Refrigerator Storage: Spread mashed potatoes on a baking tray to cool quickly to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container and store for up to 3 days. Quick cooling prevents bacterial growth.
- Oven Reheating (Best Method): Spread leftover potatoes in an even layer in a baking dish. For every 2 cups of mashed potatoes, pour 1/4 cup half-and-half or heavy cream over top. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and reheat on the middle rack of a preheated 350°F oven for 30 minutes until heated through.
- Microwave Reheating (Quick Method): Place potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a plate. Heat at 50 percent power for 2.5 minutes. Stir the potatoes, then return them to the microwave for another 2.5 minutes at half power. Stir in warmed half-and-half or heavy cream to thin before serving.
- Freezing: Not recommended for the best texture. Red potatoes don’t freeze as well as russet potatoes and can become grainy when thawed.
More copycat Cheesecake Factory recipes
Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes to make for dessert
Check out even more Cheesecake Factory copycat recipes and easy side dish recipes on CopyKat!
Cheesecake Factory Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds red potatoes
- 13 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons salt plus extra for boiling the potatoes
Instructions
- Wash the potatoes thoroughly under cold running water, scrubbing away any dirt. Peel approximately 60% of the skin from each potato, leaving about 40% for texture, color, and flavor. Cut the potatoes into even pieces, about 1 to 2 inches each, to ensure uniform cooking.
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Add a generous amount of salt to the water (about 1 tablespoon per quart). Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a steady boil until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them sit for 2 to 3 minutes to allow excess moisture to evaporate. This step is important for achieving the right texture.
- Return the drained potatoes to the pot or transfer to a large mixing bowl. Mash the potatoes, leaving some small lumps for texture if preferred.
- Add the butter and mix until melted and incorporated. Gradually add the heavy cream and mix gently until you achieve your preferred consistency. Season with salt. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
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