Let me introduce you to your new favorite side dish: Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes.
These rich, creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are so easy that they practically make themselves. Just peel, chop, toss everything into your slow cooker, and come back to fluffy, garlicky goodness with just the right amount of tang from cream cheese.
Perfect for holidays, Sunday suppers, or any night when you need comfort in a bowl—without dirtying every dish in your kitchen.
Jump to:
- Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why you’ll love this recipe (and make it again and again)
- Ingredient notes and smart swaps
- How to make the best crock pot mashed potatoes
- What to serve with crock pot mashed potatoes
- Fun twists and tasty variations
- Shortcut to supper (time-saving tip)
- Storing and reheating (keep it fresh!)
- Supper and then some (reimagining leftovers)
- Make it ahead (planning and prep tips)
- Recipe FAQs (your questions answered!)
- Pro tips for foolproof results
- Try this recipe and let me know what you think
- Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe (Make Ahead Magic)
Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Ready in: 4 hours, 20 minutes
🛒 Ingredients: 7 simple ingredients
🍽️ Yield: 9 cups
👩🍳 Difficulty: Easy
🧊 Make-Ahead Friendly: Yes
Why you’ll love this recipe (and make it again and again)
- Minimal effort, maximum flavor – Just a handful of ingredients and one pot. No boiling, draining, or stovetop juggling!
- Ultra creamy texture – Cream cheese, butter, and whole milk work magic for rich, velvety potatoes.
- Perfect for holidays or weeknights – Keep your stovetop free on busy holidays, or let this cook while you wrangle the rest of dinner.
- Southern soul in every bite – Garlic powder adds a punch of flavor, and that hint of tang feels like something your Southern mama would’ve done—if she’d had a Crock Pot.
Ingredient notes and smart swaps
Here’s what you’ll need and a few smart swaps if you’re low on something. The recipe card below provides a complete list of all ingredients and measurements.
- Russet potatoes – Their high starch content makes for fluffy mashed potatoes. Yukon golds work too for a naturally buttery flavor—just reduce the cooking time a bit.
- Butter – Adds richness. Use unsalted if you want to better control the salt level.
- Cream cheese – The secret weapon! It adds a slight tang and dreamy creaminess. Don’t skip it.
- Whole milk – Keeps it silky. Half-and-half or even evaporated milk can be used in a pinch.
- Garlic powder – Adds that mellow garlic flavor without overpowering.
- Salt and pepper – Season to taste.
How to make the best crock pot mashed potatoes
- Spray the bowl of your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Peel and slice the potatoes into half-inch slices for even cooking, then add them to the crock pot.
- Add butter, cream cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and stir.
- Cook on high for 4–5 hours or until the potatoes are fork tender and can be easily mashed against the side of the crock pot with a fork. Optional stirring halfway helps the potato slices cook evenly and prevents sticking.
- Mash the potatoes using a potato masher for the best results or an electric mixer. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve warm and dig into creamy, dreamy comfort.
What to serve with crock pot mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes go with just about everything:
- Main dish pairing: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters, Creamy Mushroom Pork Chops or Country-Style Steak
- Side dish ideas: Spicy Coleslaw and Honey Butter Biscuits
- Dessert: Strawberry Brownies
Fun twists and tasty variations
Want to jazz things up? Try these ideas:
- Add roasted garlic or a spoonful of horseradish for a kick.
- Stir in shredded cheddar or parmesan at the end for cheesy mashed potatoes.
- Top with chives, crispy bacon, or fried onions, and add a scoop of sour cream for loaded mashed potatoes.
Shortcut to supper (time-saving tip)
- Peel and slice the potatoes the night before and store them covered in water in the fridge.
Storing and reheating (keep it fresh!)
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days in the fridge.
- Reheat in the microwave in 30–60 second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
Supper and then some (reimagining leftovers)
- Potato and Cheese Fritters – Mix in a little shredded cheese and an egg, shape into patties and pan-fry until golden.
- Shepherd’s pie topping – Use as a delicious lid for your favorite meat and veggie casserole.
- Twice-baked potato casserole – Add bacon, cheese, and sour cream and bake.
Make it ahead (planning and prep tips)
- You can make this recipe up to two days in advance.
- Reheat in the crockpot on low, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of milk or heavy cream if needed.
- Perfect for Thanksgiving or other special occasions when you’ve got company coming and don’t want to spend all of your time in the kitchen.
Recipe FAQs (your questions answered!)
Nope! If you like a more rustic texture with the skins on, just give them a good scrub and leave the peels.
Yes, as long as they’re about ½ inch thick. Just keep the size consistent so they cook evenly.
It's not required, but it helps them cook more evenly and prevents them from sticking to the sides of the crock pot.
Yes, Yukon Golds are a great alternative. They cook faster and have a naturally buttery flavor.
Pro tips for foolproof results
- Slice the potatoes evenly so they cook at the same rate.
- The times shown in this recipe are just a guide and can vary depending on the type of slow cooker or crock pot you have and the thickness of the potato slices.
- For this recipe, I recommend using an old-fashioned potato masher. If using an electric mixer, don’t overbeat the potatoes (they can get gluey), only beat until creamy.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning after mashing—potatoes love salt!
- Keep warm in the crock pot on the "warm" setting for up to 2 hours before serving.
Try this recipe and let me know what you think
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
Did you try this recipe for Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes? I’d love to know how it turned out!
Did you give it your own twist or have a shortcut that made it even easier? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave a star rating. Your feedback helps others (and totally makes my day).
Thanks so much for visiting Practical Southern Cooking! I hope you’ll stop by again soon for more no-fuss comfort food and simple Southern favorites.
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Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe (Make Ahead Magic)
Equipment
- Crock Pot or slow cooker
Ingredients
- 5 pounds Russet potatoes
- ½ cup butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Spray the bowl of your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Peel and slice the potatoes into half-inch slices for even cooking and add them to the crock pot.
- Add butter, cream cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and stir.
- Cook on high for about 4-5 hours, stirring about halfway through until the potatoes are fork-tender and soft enough to mash against the side of the crock pot easily.
- Mash the potatoes using a potato masher for the best results or use an electric mixer. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve and enjoy.
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