Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes are creamy and full of garlic flavor. This easy side dish is great for weeknights and holidays too!

Potatoes are probably one of my favorite foods ever. Whether we’re talking french fries, baked potato soup, truffle smashed potatoes or classic mashed potatoes, potatoes are always a crowd pleaser.

And if I had to pick one favorite of them all, it would probably be mashed potatoes. They are creamy, smooth and can be flavored in so many different ways. You can top them with gravy or stir in almost any kind of mix in, like I do here with these Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes. 

Who doesn’t love a bite of creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes? I certainly do.  In this simple roasted garlic mashed red potatoes recipe, red potatoes are boiled until soft and then mashed together with freshly roasted garlic, half and half and butter. A delicious, comforting side dish perfect for any occasion.

Let’s talk about what you’ll need to make them: 

Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes Ingredients:

You only need FIVE ingredients to make these mashed potatoes, how awesome is that?! You might even have all of them on hand.

• RED POTATOES: What is great about mashing red potatoes is that, unlike russets, the skin is thin and you can leave it on. That means no peeling, unless you want to! They can become gummy if they are overcooked or over mashed so it’s important to keep an eye on that. 
• ROASTED GARLIC: You’ll need a head of roasted garlic for this recipe. Roasted garlic is going to add a sweet, subtle garlic flavor to the potatoes. You can roast your own or use store bought. Make sure it’s not “dried” roasted garlic or there will be crunchy bits in your potatoes. 
• HALF AND HALF: To add creaminess to the potatoes. 
• BUTTER: Will add richness and flavor. 
• SALT AND PEPPER 

Step by Step Photos and Instructions: 

Making garlic mashed potatoes is really easy! Especially if you have already roasted your garlic or use store bought. I’ll walk you through each step with these step by step photos and instructions. 

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• STEP #1: Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook just until fork tender, about 10 -15 minutes. Drain well. 
• STEP #2: Return the potatoes to the pan. Add in the roasted garlic cloves, half and half and butter. Gently mash being careful not to over work, or the potatoes will get gummy. 
• STEP #3: Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve. 

Storage and Leftovers: 

These potatoes will keep for a few days in the refrigerator and simply warm them up when ready to serve. You may need to add a bit more half in half if they have thickened. 

Recipe FAQ: 

Love mashed potatoes? Me too! I’ve got several different mashed potato recipes for you to try, check them out:

Dill Mashed Potatoes are my favorite seasoned mashed potatoes to make in the summer. They are bursting with bright summer flavor!

Horseradish and Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes are a must make side dish when beef is the main dish!

Colcannon is a classic Irish dish made with mashed potatoes, bacon and cabbage. It is beyond comforting!

Note: Originally published in 2009. Updated in 2023 with new photos, step by step photos, nutrition information and a slightly modified recipe.