If you adore comfort food with a sophisticated twist, the Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe will quickly become one of your favorite go-to dishes. Imagine creamy, buttery mashed potatoes infused with a luscious garlic rosemary butter, elevated further by the bold, tangy punch of blue cheese. This recipe balances rustic warmth with gourmet flair, creating a side dish that is perfect for both cozy family dinners and special celebrations. Whether you’re a blue cheese aficionado or simply craving something uniquely delicious, this dish brings an irresistible flavor and creamy texture that makes mashed potatoes truly unforgettable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe relies on simple yet thoughtfully selected ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in delivering the perfect balance of creamy texture, aromatic depth, and sharp flavor that defines this dish.
- Russet potatoes: The ideal potato for mashing due to their starchy texture and ability to become fluffy when cooked.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich creaminess and allows you to control the salt level precisely.
- Garlic cloves: Crushed to infuse the butter with a subtle yet savory aroma that permeates the potatoes.
- Ground black pepper: Provides a gentle heat and complexity that complements the blue cheese beautifully.
- Steak seasoning: Adds an extra layer of boldness and depth without overpowering the dish.
- Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the natural flavors of the potatoes and cheese.
- Fresh rosemary: Chopped to lend a fragrant, pine-like note that pairs perfectly with garlic and cheese.
- Blue cheese crumbles: The star of the recipe, offering tangy, creamy bursts of flavor that make this mashed potato recipe truly memorable.
How to Make Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F to ensure it’s ready for finishing the dish. While it warms up, place peeled and cubed russet potatoes into a large pot of boiling water. Cooking these for about 15 minutes until fork tender creates the perfect base for smooth, creamy mashed potatoes.
Step 2: Create the Flavored Butter
While the potatoes cook, melt your butter in a small skillet over medium heat along with crushed garlic, black pepper, steak seasoning, kosher salt, and fresh rosemary. Lower the heat and let these ingredients gently mingle for 5-10 minutes. This step infuses the butter with rich, aromatic flavors that will elevate the entire dish.
Step 3: Mash the Potatoes and Mix in Flavors
Once the potatoes are fork tender, drain them well and return to the pot. Keeping the pot on low heat helps to evaporate any leftover moisture, producing fluffier mashed potatoes. Use an electric hand mixer to mash the potatoes until creamy, then fold in the fragrant garlic-rosemary butter and half of the blue cheese crumbles for an infusion of tangy richness directly into the mash.
Step 4: Bake for the Perfect Finish
Spoon your mashed creation into an oven-safe bowl or casserole dish, then sprinkle the remaining blue cheese crumbles on top. Baking for 5-7 minutes at 350°F allows the cheese to melt slightly into gooey, delicious pockets, giving the dish its irresistible texture and flavor contrast.
How to Serve Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or additional rosemary make stunning, fragrant garnishes that brighten the dish not only visually but also with their herbal lift. For a touch of color and crunch, consider sprinkling toasted pecans or crispy shallots on top.
Side Dishes
Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe pairs beautifully with hearty mains such as roasted beef, grilled steak, or herb-crusted chicken. A crisp green salad or sautéed green beans with garlic will also complement the richness with fresh, light textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these mashed potatoes in individual ramekins for an elegant touch, or use a piping bag to create decorative swirls that look beautiful on the table. For casual gatherings, presenting it rustic-style in a warmed cast iron skillet invites everyone to dig in and share.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The potatoes will thicken as they chill, so be ready to add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to loosen the texture.
Freezing
Freezing mashed potatoes with blue cheese is possible but best done without baking the top cheese layer. Store the mashed potatoes in freezer-safe containers for up to one month. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
For the creamiest results, reheat the mashed potatoes gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally and adding a small amount of milk or butter to restore their original smoothness. If you baked the cheese topping, consider adding a fresh sprinkle of blue cheese before serving to revive the signature flavor.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of blue cheese?
Absolutely! While blue cheese provides a unique tang and boldness, you can substitute with creamy cheeses like goat cheese or feta for different yet complementary flavors. Just keep in mind that the dish’s signature taste will shift accordingly.
What is the best potato for this Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe?
Russet potatoes are the best choice because their high starch content results in fluffy, smooth mashed potatoes. They absorb butter and cheese wonderfully without becoming gummy.
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
To adapt for vegan or dairy-free diets, use vegan butter and substitute blue cheese with a tangy plant-based cheese alternative. The flavor will shift, but the garlic and rosemary butter infusion will still shine through.
Is roasting the blue cheese necessary?
Baking the blue cheese on top melts it slightly and creates delicious, melty pockets throughout the potatoes. However, if you’re short on time, mixing all the cheese in during mashing still yields fantastic flavor.
How do I keep mashed potatoes from becoming gluey?
Use starchy russet potatoes and avoid over-mixing by hand. Using an electric hand mixer at a low speed helps create creamy texture without turning the potatoes gluey. Also, draining potatoes thoroughly before mashing prevents excess water from diluting the dish.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a mashed potato dish that’s anything but ordinary, the Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe delivers every time with its perfect harmony of creamy, tangy, and herbaceous flavors. It’s a spectacular side that elevates any meal and feels like a special treat made with love. Give it a try and watch how quickly it becomes a beloved staple in your kitchen!
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Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Creamy and flavorful Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes combining tender russet potatoes with a rich garlic rosemary butter and tangy blue cheese, finished with a delightful baked topping. A perfect side dish for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 2 pounds russet potatoes (peeled and cubed)
Garlic Rosemary Butter
- 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)
Blue Cheese
- 4 ounces blue cheese crumbles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for the final baking step that will melt the blue cheese topping.
- Cook Potatoes: Place the peeled and cubed russet potatoes in a large pot of boiling water. Boil them for about 15 minutes or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Melt and Infuse Butter: While the potatoes are boiling, melt the unsalted butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the crushed garlic, ground black pepper, steak seasoning, kosher salt, and chopped fresh rosemary to the butter.
- Simmer for Flavor: Once the butter has melted, reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to cook gently for 5-10 minutes. This step infuses the butter with the aromatic flavors of garlic and rosemary.
- Drain and Mash Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot over low heat. Use an electric hand mixer to mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy. Then, gently fold in the garlic rosemary butter and half of the blue cheese crumbles by hand for an even distribution of flavor.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the mashed potatoes into an oven-safe bowl or casserole dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining blue cheese crumbles on top to create a savory crust after baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes. This step ensures the blue cheese melts and slightly browns, adding richness and texture to the dish.
Notes
- For a stronger blue cheese flavor, add more cheese according to taste.
- Steak seasoning can be substituted with a mix of paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder if unavailable.
- Do not overboil the potatoes to prevent them from becoming waterlogged; cook until just fork tender.
- Use freshly chopped rosemary for the best aromatic result.
- This recipe works best with russet potatoes due to their high starch content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
