Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes With Mozzarella

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Homemade mashed potatoes are one of my favorite side dishes. But with the addition of mozzarella cheese, crumbly bacon pieces, and garlic powder, these cheesy garlic mashed potatoes take the dish to a higher level on the tasty scale. 

Spoonful of cheesy garlic mashed potatoes.

Now, we all know how much I love my homemade mashed potatoes with evaporated milk. Well, these cheesy garlic mashed potatoes take this recipe to another level of unbelievable flavor! You’ve got creamy buttery mashed potatoes mixed together with garlic powder, mozzarella cheese, and crumbly pieces of crispy bacon. Are you drooling, because I sure am!

Fortunately, this cheesy mashed potato recipe is also very easy to make. All you need to do is boil the potatoes for 30 minutes and combine all the ingredients. The dish will be ready to devour in 45 minutes.

I love to pair my fluffy mashed potatoes with my blackened pork chops, but honestly, the options are endless. Serve them these holidays alongside your turkey breast or baked ham with other popular Southern side dishes, like turkey gravy, mac and cheese, fresh green beans, and cornbread.

Labeled ingredients for cheesy garlic mashed potatoes.

Recipe Ingredients

  • 4 large russet potatoes (or an equivalent amount)
  • Butter
  • Garlic powder
  • Evaporated milk
  • Grated mozzarella cheese
  • Bacon

Peel and chop potatoes into cubes.

 Peel and cube your potatoes.

Potatoes in large stockpot, covered in water.

Then place them in a large stockpot. Cover with water and put that over medium-high heat to bring them to a boil. 

Once boiling, reduce temperature to medium and cook for about half an hour, making sure they remain covered with water, until fork tender.

While they’re boiling, grate your cheese. 

Drain potatoes in colander.

Once potatoes are done, drain the water off.

Mash potatoes with potato masher.

Now, while your potatoes are hot (this is important) dump them into a bowl. Roughly mash the potatoes with a potato masher.

Add ingredients and mash again.

Then add milk, butter, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and mash together.

Don’t worry, we’re not going for totally mashed. A few lumps will add a nice texture to it.

Add bacon and mozzarella cheese to potato mixture.

Add in your mozzarella and if you’re using bacon, add that now, too.

Mash just a little bit to help incorporate it.

Switch to a spoon to mix all ingredients.

Then, switch to a spoon and stir until everything is well combined and the cheese is fully incorporated. This will just take a minute.

Mashed potatoes on plate with green beans and turkey in background.

Enjoy your creamy mashed potatoes with your favorite sides these holidays.

Storage

Store leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Because of the cheese and evaporated milk, I don’t recommend freezing.

Recipe Notes

  • I like to use a block of mozzarella cheese instead of the pre-shredded version. Freshly grated mozzarella cheese makes a big difference in the taste of this dish and it also melts into the potatoes better. But use whatever you have or substitute the mozzarella for your favorite cheese variety, whether that’s shredded cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese.
  • You can substitute the garlic powder and salt for garlic salt. You could also use minced garlic or freshly roasted garlic cloves.
  • Serve with a sprinkle of parsley, chopped green onion, or fresh chives.
  • If you want to go one step further, prep your mashed potatoes in an ovenproof baking dish and sprinkle them with an additional 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Then bake it in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted. Just let the dish sit for at least 5 minutes before serving, to let the baked mashed potatoes thicken.
  • Want to beef up your mashed potatoes further? You can add sauteed chopped onion.
  • Instead of using Russet potato as I did, use Yukon Gold potatoes.
  • If you prefer, you can leave the skin on your potatoes.

Forkful of cheesy garlic mashed potatoes.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make my mashed potatoes ahead of time?

Yes, your mashed potatoes will last up to three days in the fridge, so feel free to make them in advance. Simply reheat in the microwave (or even the crockpot) until cooked through.

Here are more marvelous mashed potato recipes:

Homemade Mashed Potatoes With Evaporated Milk

Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe

Freezer Mashed Potatoes

Thomas BBQ Mashed Potato Salad

Mashed Potato Cakes Recipe

Fancy Mashed Potatoes With Cheese

Bowl of cheesy garlic mashed potatoes with mozzarella.

Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes With Mozzarella

With mozzarella cheese, crumbly bacon pieces, and garlic powder, these cheesy garlic mashed potatoes are the ultimate side dish.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mashedpotatoes, potatoes
Servings: 4
Calories: 88kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 medium to large russet potatoes
  • 1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese*
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2-1 teaspoon garlic powder I use a full teaspoon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 strips crumbled crispy cooked bacon optional

Instructions

  • Peel and slice the potatoes. Place them in a large stockpot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce temperature to medium and cook until tender - about 30 minutes.
    4 medium to large russet potatoes
  • Drain potatoes and then place them in a large mixing bowl (or you can do this in the pot if you want).
  • Roughly mash potatoes with a potato masher. Add milk, butter, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mash again until butter is melted.
    4 medium to large russet potatoes, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1/4 cup butter, 1/2-1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • Stir in the mozzarella cheese and crumbled bacon.
    4 strips crumbled crispy cooked bacon, 1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese*
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

*Can use pre-shredded mozzarella cheese, but it won't melt into the potatoes as well.

Nutrition

Calories: 88kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

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then succeed on purpose.”

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255 Comments

  1. I had noticed that the finely shredded mozarella did not melt as well as the thicker shred, but did not realize the difference shredding yourself made. Thanks for the info. Will be trying your blackened pork chops and the garlic potatoes also. I love your stories.

  2. I found the secret to wonderfullicious mashed potatoes years ago was to use evaporated milk,, makes the bestest mashed potatoes EVER!! lol Was so happy to see you use it also.

    1. That was a good tip. Have to remember this one. I’m always looking for shortcuts, but making it taste better would be great for me.

      1. 5 stars
        Me too, ear wig…ugh! I used Yukon potatoes since that’s all I had, and I chopped some fresh chives and added those. Everyone wanted more!! Sadly for them I only made enough for what the recipe called for. Next time, I’ll double up. I DID add a heaping TBSP of low fat sour cream tho. The addition just made them creamier. Oh & I left the skins on for added nutrition.

  3. We do these a lot! They are so yummy! We also make another version with the bacon, cheddar instead of mozzarella and we also add green onions. I add a little sour cream to the potatoes as I am mashing and they taste just like those loaded baked potatoes from the steak places! Thanks for this recipe and the blackened pork chops, too – we are going to put them on the menu for next week!

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