These easy mashed potatoes are the creamiest, most delicious version of a childhood favorite–except they’re simpler and a little more nutritious than what I grew up with.
We gave mashed potatoes the Foodlets treatment.
What you need to make easy mashed potatoes
- Yellow/gold potatoes
- Salt & pepper
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Optional: Riced cauliflower
What makes these mashed potatoes easy?
The HUGE time saver–the thing that makes homemade mashed potatoes possible for someone with tiny people interrupting dinner every two minutes–is game changing: Don’t peel the potatoes.
What makes these masked potatoes more nutritious?
Instead of using sour cream, I add Greek yogurt. You get the same tangy creaminess PLUS a boost of good-for-you probiotics.
If you really want to pack in more nutrition, add a bag of riced cauliflower to your potatoes in the cooking water. They’ll get soft and tender, ready to blend perfectly with your potatoes as they get mashed.
How to Make Easy Mashed Potatoes
PrintEasy Mashed Potatoes
Serving kids? Give them just one bite to start. If they like these potatoes, let them ask for more! Power struggle = over.
Ingredients
- 24 ounces Yukon gold potatoes (about 8 medium)
- 4 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt & pepper
- Optional: 1 bag frozen riced cauliflower
Instructions
- Dice potatoes into 1 inch pieces, or quarter each potato. Smaller pieces will cook faster.
- Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with two inches of water. (If using riced cauliflower, add here and follow remaining instructions.) Add 1 tablespoon of water. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.
- Use a mug or liquid measuring cup to scoop 1/2 cup of cooking water from the pot.
- Drain the remaining water.
- Using the same pot, combine cooked potatoes (and cauliflower if using) with Greek yogurt and butter. Mash gently, pouring your reserved cooking water into the pot as needed.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Make It Kid-Friendly
The goal of Foodlets is raising kids who love good food–and who can enjoy that good food at a table with people they love. My favorite way to entice little kids to try new foods is a three-parter:
- Serve very small portions
- Make it fancy
- Offer DIY toppings
Below is a baked quinoa enchilada dish that I served my preschoolers in egg cups for the first time. Small. Fancy.
Plus, they got to sprinkle cheese on top, or squeeze their own lemon. A little agency goes a long way with tiny eaters.
Stock up on tiny accessories here
Egg cups are ideal for anything from these easy mashed potatoes to soup.
Japanese dipping bowls (meant for soy sauce) are fun.
Espresso mugs, meant to hold a single shot of espresso, are another adorable way to serve tiny portions.
My kids love to use itty bitty spoons too.
Just for Fun
One of the best things I’ve ever learned about feeding kids is to serve them food…then stop talking about it. Instead of begging everyone to take a bite, now I explain that they’ll have a tiny scoop of each thing. Eat your tiny scoop and if you like it, you can have more! If not, no problem.
In the meantime, here are some better things to talk about:
What do you get when you put an elephant in a room full of potatoes?
Mashed potatoes!
Who is the most powerful potato?
Darth Tater
Did you know?
- Yukon gold potatoes have twice as much Vitamin C as regular baking potatoes, which helps bodies fight off colds and the flu. (Source)
- When you buy them, potatoes are still alive! Unlike that plucked carrot or bunch of dead grapes, a potato is still living when you harvest it, albeit in a dormant state. Warmth and moisture can cause the spuds to start sprouting, which is why you are supposed to keep them cool and dry. (Source)
What Goes With Easy Mashed Potatoes?
Try these kid-friendly dinners! Every recipe is always tested on at least our four kids, and at least three of them have to like it before I ever hit “publish”.
Better For You Mini Meatloaves with Beef + Mushrooms
30-Minute Lemon Chicken with Kale
Oven-Baked Salisbury Steak Meatballs
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