Rosemary Mashed Potatoes

Name: Rosemary Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 whole head of garlic; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 sticks unsalted butter; 3 cups heavy cream (or whole milk for a healthier option); 8 rosemary sprigs; 5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes (peeled & cut into quarters); salt and pepper (to taste)

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These Garlic And Rosemary Mashed Potatoes are the perfect side dish for just about any meal. Both comforting and flavorful, you can whip up a batch for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to holiday parties!

Originally published November 2017 – Updated September 2023

A bowl of mashed potatoes next to a bowl of mashed potatoes.

Garlic Rosemary Mashed Potatoes

Is there anyone who doesn’t love mashed potatoes? They’re warm, creamy, comforting, and perfect for the cold weather months. And this rosemary mashed potatoes recipe might be our favorite version yet.

Rosemary and potatoes are a terrific match, and the addition of fragrant roasted garlic, rich butter, and heavy cream makes these extra delicious and indulgent. Like our roasted potatoes and veggies, they’re ideal for any fancy holiday party, but easy enough you’ll want to add them to your regular dinner rotation.

While I’d love to take credit for this delicious recipe, it actually came from my friend Blaine. An amazing cook, he was nice enough to let me share and I know you’ll all love this dish as much as I do! So if you’re looking for a truly delicious mashed potato recipe, you’ll want give these creamy mashed potatoes a try.

Mashed potatoes in a bowl with a wooden spoon.

Why We Love This Recipe

Full of Flavor – Garlic and rosemary go perfectly with potatoes, and the fresh herbs give this dish such a delicious flavor and aroma.

Great for the Holidays – Though this recipe is ideal for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, it’s so easy that you’ll want to make them all year long.

Always Popular – Everyone loves mashed potatoes! Whether you’re looking for a holiday dish or an easy dinner side that the whole family will love, you can’t go wrong with this delicious recipe. It tastes really great with Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, Greek Roast Chicken or this Individual Beef Wellington recipe.

Looking for more ideas for your holiday menu? Check out these delicious smashed potatoes, brown sugar brussels sprouts or this list of tasty Thanksgiving potato recipes.

Ingredients

Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
Fresh garlic
Unsalted butter
Heavy cream (you can also use half and half or whole milk)
Fresh rosemary sprigs
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Garlic Rosemary Mashed Potatoes

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Break the garlic apart, then slice the top off each head of garlic, exposing the cloves inside.

Step 2: Place the garlic on aluminum foil and drizzle it with olive oil. Wrap the foil around the garlic and roast until cloves are lightly browned and tender (approx. 30 minutes)

Foil with garlic and herbs on a marble countertop.

Step 3: Heat the butter, cream, and rosemary sprigs in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, lower heat to a simmer. Let the mixture simmer while cooking the potatoes.

Step 4: Place potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, then cover and continue to boil the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, until potatoes break apart easily. Drain the potatoes completely.

A pan with butter, rosemary, and cream on a marble countertop.

A white bowl filled with potatoes and garlic.

Step 5: Use a potato masher or ricer to press the potatoes in a large bowl.

Step 6: Unwrap the garlic cloves from the foil. Press the bottom of each clove to remove it from its paper, then add to the potatoes.

Mashed potatoes in a bowl with a potato masher.

A bowl of mashed potatoes on a table next to other ingredients.

Step 7: Remove the rosemary from the cream and fold cream into the potatoes until you reach the desired consistency.

Mashed potatoes in a white bowl with sprigs of rosemary.

Step 8: Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!

Mashed potatoes in a white bowl with butter and rosemary.

Tips & Tricks

The longer you simmer the rosemary with the butter and cream, the stronger the rosemary flavor will be. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can remove the rosemary before the potatoes finish cooking.
You can vary the amount of cream you add to the potatoes, depending on your desired texture. Less cream will produce a more rustic texture while more cream will give you a smoother texture.
If you don’t have a potato masher, you can use an electric mixer to mash the potatoes.
Our mashed potatoes are made with Yukon gold potatoes but you can also make this recipe with russet potatoes if you prefer.

Mashed potatoes in a white bowl with a wooden spoon.

How Do I Store Rosemary Mashed Potatoes?

Store your leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I Use Other Kinds of Herbs?

Sure, if you don’t have rosemary, try basil or thyme. Both will pair well with garlic mashed potatoes.

More Delicious Side Dish Recipes

Mashed potatoes and peas on a wooden plate.

5 from 54 votes