Loaded mashed potatoes

This recipe makes about eight (8) servings

Prep time: 20-30 minutes Cook time: 20-40 minutes

Description

Whether serving as a side or as a main event, these mashed potatoes add some additional nutrition using blended cottage cheese as a source of creaminess. To reduce prep time with this recipe and reduce chopping, choosing Yukon gold potatoes eliminates the need to peel the potatoes. Using baby potatoes (sometimes called bite size or little) reduces the cutting work more, as these can easily be cooked whole.

Tips and substitutions to know in advance

• 4% milkfat cottage cheese = more creamy result and same protein as 1% milkfat
• Any flavor of broth will work in this recipe. Some of the taste will likely come through, especially with stronger flavored broths; vegetable broth or chicken broth are good options for less noticeable flavor

Ingredients

• 3 lbs potatoes
• 1c cottage cheese, blended
• 4 Tbsp butter - if using lower fat cottage cheese, increase to 6 Tbsp
• Garlic - 2 cloves, equivalent amount of pre-minced, or 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1c broth
• Optional - shredded cheddar or similar cheese (maybe from last week’s chili?), sour cream
• Toppings: chives, scallions, parsley, bacon, and gravy are all good options

Process

1. Prep potatoes - peel if desired, cut into chunks Larger pieces will take longer to cook, smaller pieces will cook quicker
2. Add potatoes to pot and cover with about an inch of water
3. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, 15-40 minutes depending on piece size
4. Blend cottage cheese in a blender or food processor. A little blender like this one is great for this task
5. When potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, drain and return to the cooking pot or bowl of your stand mixer
6. Add blended cottage cheese, garlic, butter, broth, and any desired additional mix-ins such as cheese or sour cream
7. Mash potatoes using masher, handheld mixer, or stand mixer
8. Top with your preferred toppings and serve alongside anything that benefits from mashed potatoes or as a stand alone star! If serving alone, consider adding extra toppings for fun, flavor, and some additional nutrition

Notes for storage and reworking later

• Reworking mashed potatoes with different flavors can range from putting them alongside a different main dish to topping with completely different toppings and a sauce