If you adore rich and flavorful side dishes, you are going to love this Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe. It transforms the humble mashed potato into a creamy, tangy, and aromatic delight with the sharpness of blue cheese perfectly balanced by buttery garlic and fragrant rosemary. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a cozy family dinner, these mashed potatoes bring a gourmet touch that feels both indulgent and comforting at the same time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients, this recipe achieves an unforgettable depth of flavor and texture. Each element plays a vital role, from the starchy russet potatoes that create the perfect base to the pungent blue cheese that adds that signature zing.
- Russet potatoes: These are ideal for mashing thanks to their fluffy texture when cooked.
- Unsalted butter: Provides richness and carries the flavors of garlic and herbs beautifully.
- Garlic: Crushed for subtle aromatic warmth that infuses the butter.
- Ground black pepper: Adds a gentle kick that complements the blue cheese.
- Steak seasoning: Enhances savory notes and deepens overall seasoning.
- Kosher salt: Brings out the natural flavors without overpowering.
- Fresh rosemary: Offers a fragrant, piney freshness that pairs well with both potatoes and blue cheese.
- Blue cheese crumbles: The star ingredient, delivering creamy tang and complexity.
How to Make Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Start by peeling and cubing your russet potatoes into even pieces to ensure they cook uniformly. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the potatoes, cooking them for about 15 minutes or until they become fork tender. This soft texture is essential for smooth, creamy mashed potatoes that hold the flavor well.
Step 2: Infuse the Butter
While the potatoes are boiling, melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the crushed garlic, ground black pepper, steak seasoning, kosher salt, and chopped fresh rosemary. Once melted, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture gently simmer for 5-10 minutes. This slow infusion allows the butter to absorb all the wonderful aromatics and spices, creating an irresistible base for the mash.
Step 3: Mash and Mix
Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot over low heat to dry out any excess moisture. Use an electric hand mixer for a smooth and creamy texture. Then fold in the garlic-rosemary butter along with half of your blue cheese crumbles. The warmth of the potatoes will start melting the cheese and make every bite burst with flavor.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Spoon the mashed potatoes into an oven-safe bowl or casserole dish and sprinkle the remaining blue cheese evenly on top. Pop it in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This final bake not only melts the cheese but creates a slightly golden and bubbly top that’s simply irresistible.
How to Serve Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
After baking, a sprinkle of fresh rosemary leaves or finely chopped chives adds a pop of color and fresh herbaceous aroma. For a little extra luxury, a drizzle of truffle oil or crispy fried shallots can take this dish up another notch with texture and sophistication.
Side Dishes
This Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe pairs beautifully with robust mains like roasted beef, grilled lamb, or even pan-seared steaks. The creamy tang of the potatoes complements rich meats perfectly, making your entire meal feel deeply satisfying. You can also serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
To impress guests, try individual servings in ramekins with a crisp blue cheese crust on top. Alternatively, piping the mashed potatoes into swirls on a baking sheet adds a playful, elegant twist. For family-style dinners, a large rustic dish with melted blue cheese oozing over is the warm invitation everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer any leftover Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes for a quick, flavorful side that reheats well without losing its creamy texture or punch of flavor.
Freezing
If you want to stash some for longer, freezing is definitely possible. Place the mashed potatoes in a freezer-safe container or bag, making sure to press out as much air as possible. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. To maintain the best texture, avoid freezing for longer than that.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the texture if needed. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and to bring back the luscious creaminess that makes this Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe so irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of potato for this recipe?
Russet potatoes are preferred for their fluffy texture, but Yukon Gold potatoes can also work well. Just expect a slightly creamier, less fluffy mash.
What if I don’t like blue cheese? Can I substitute it?
Blue cheese is the star here, offering a unique sharpness, but you could try other crumbly cheeses like feta or goat cheese for a different tang. The flavor profile will change, but the creamy texture remains delightful.
Is it necessary to bake the mashed potatoes at the end?
Baking melts the remaining blue cheese on top and creates a wonderful golden layer that adds texture and flavor. However, if you’re short on time, you can skip this step and still enjoy creamy, flavorful potatoes.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
For dairy-free options, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine and look for plant-based blue cheese alternatives, though these can be difficult to find. Keep in mind the flavor will differ significantly.
How long can I keep Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes leftovers in the fridge?
Stored properly in an airtight container, leftovers can be enjoyed safely for up to 3 days. Be sure to reheat thoroughly before serving.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about this Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe that turns everyday comfort food into an elegant and flavorful experience. I encourage you to try making it soon—whether for a holiday meal or a cozy night in—so you can enjoy its creamy richness packed with bold, herby, and tangy notes. It’s one of those recipes that always earns compliments and happily disappears from the plate.
Print
Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Creamy and flavorful Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes made with tender russet potatoes, melted garlic rosemary butter, and savory blue cheese crumbles, baked to perfection for a deliciously rich side dish.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 2 pounds russet potatoes (peeled and cubed)
Butter and Seasoning
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon steak seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped)
Cheese
- 4 ounces blue cheese crumbles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the mashed potatoes at the end.
- Boil Potatoes: Place the peeled and cubed russet potatoes into a large pot of boiling water and cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Prepare Garlic Rosemary Butter: While the potatoes boil, combine the butter, crushed garlic, ground black pepper, steak seasoning, kosher salt, and chopped rosemary in a small skillet over medium heat until the butter melts.
- Infuse Flavors: Reduce the skillet heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Mash Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot over low heat. Use an electric hand mixer to mash the potatoes until smooth, then fold in the garlic rosemary butter mixture along with half of the blue cheese crumbles by hand.
- Assemble for Baking: Transfer the mashed potatoes into an oven-safe bowl or casserole dish and sprinkle the remaining blue cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes until the blue cheese on top is slightly melted and bubbling.
Notes
- For creamier potatoes, add a splash of milk or cream while mashing.
- Adjust the amount of blue cheese to taste if you prefer a milder or stronger cheese flavor.
- You can substitute fresh rosemary with dried rosemary if fresh is unavailable.
- Use a potato masher if you don’t have an electric hand mixer, though the texture will be slightly different.
- Keep an eye on the baking time to prevent the blue cheese from burning.
