The Secret to Superior Mashed Potatoes: Garlic Confit

If you’re aiming to truly impress your guests with a side dish that stands out, these garlic parmesan mashed potatoes are an absolute winner. The secret weapon here, providing an unparalleled depth of flavor and an impeccably smooth texture, is homemade garlic confit. While many recipes call for sautéed or minced raw garlic, this often results in harsh, unevenly distributed garlic flavor and tiny, unpleasant crunchy bits throughout the dish.

Garlic confit, on the other hand, involves gently simmering garlic cloves in olive oil until they become incredibly tender, sweet, and buttery. This low-and-slow cooking method transforms the pungent raw garlic into a mellow, rich, and aromatic paste that blends seamlessly into the potatoes. The result is a mashed potato dish where the garlic flavor is present, but harmoniously subtle, allowing the creamy potato and nutty Parmesan to shine through.

These luxurious mashed potatoes are particularly perfect for holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, where rich, comforting side dishes are always appreciated. Their creamy texture also makes them an ideal bed for saucy main courses such as Restaurant-Style Chicken Marsala or a tender Chicken Breast in Lemon Butter Sauce, soaking up all those delicious juices.

Essential Ingredients and Smart Substitutions

• Russet Potatoes: For the ultimate smooth and creamy mashed potatoes, starchy varieties like Russet or Idaho potatoes are your best bet. Their high starch content breaks down beautifully during cooking, creating a light and fluffy texture when mashed. Waxy potatoes, such as red potatoes or new potatoes, tend to hold their shape more, making them suitable for chunkier mashed potatoes or dishes like potato salads. Using a waxy potato in a hearty soup like Zuppa Toscana is ideal as they retain their form and don’t turn mushy.
  • Potato Preparation: When preparing your potatoes, only halve them before boiling. Chopping them into smaller pieces will not only accelerate cooking time (increasing the risk of overcooking) but also cause them to lose more valuable starch into the boiling water, potentially compromising the final creamy texture.
• Milk: Whole milk is highly recommended for achieving the smoothest, creamiest consistency due to its higher fat content. Crucially, ensure the milk is heated to a warm or slightly hot temperature, but not simmering, before adding it to the mashed potatoes. Cold milk will instantly cool down your hot potatoes, making them stiff and less receptive to absorbing the fats, which can result in a gluey texture. For an even richer result, you can substitute a portion of the milk with heavy cream or half-and-half.
• Garlic Confit: This is the star ingredient that truly distinguishes this recipe. Garlic confit provides a deep, mellow, and slightly sweet garlic flavor that melds perfectly into the potatoes without the strong pungency or textural inconsistencies of minced raw garlic. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home and can be prepared up to 7 days in advance, stored properly in the refrigerator. Besides these mashed potatoes, garlic confit is fantastic in dishes like Creamy Roasted Garlic and Tomato Soup or spread on crusty bread.
• Butter: Always opt for unsalted butter. This gives you complete control over the seasoning of your dish. Different brands of salted butter contain varying amounts of salt, making it difficult to achieve consistent flavor. By using unsalted butter, you can add salt gradually and adjust to your exact taste preferences. Using room temperature butter will also help it incorporate more smoothly into the hot potatoes.
• Olive Oil: A touch of good quality olive oil contributes to an extra silky texture and a lovely, subtle fruitiness. For an even more profound garlic flavor, consider using the olive oil that the garlic confit was cooked in. This oil is infused with all the sweet, mellow essence of the garlic cloves.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a wonderful salty, nutty, and umami depth to the mashed potatoes. Always grate your own Parmesan from a block for the best flavor and melting quality, avoiding pre-grated varieties which often contain anti-caking agents that can hinder smooth integration.
• Mascarpone Cheese: This Italian cream cheese is a game-changer for richness and velvety smoothness. Mascarpone adds a luxurious, slightly sweet, and incredibly creamy element that makes these mashed potatoes truly decadent.

*Please refer to the detailed recipe card below for precise measurements and additional ingredient information.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

*Note for those who wish to skip the garlic confit portion and use an alternative method:

If you’re short on time or prefer a quicker garlic infusion, skip steps 1 and 2 of the garlic confit process below. Instead of plain olive oil, heat 3-4 whole garlic cloves in the specified amount of olive oil over low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are lightly browned and fragrant. Remove the garlic cloves before adding the infused olive oil to the mashed potatoes. This will provide a milder garlic note.

How to Make Garlic Confit

Step 1: Prepare the Garlic. Begin by chopping off the very ends of 2 whole heads of garlic. Peel all the individual garlic cloves. Place the peeled garlic cloves into the smallest heavy-bottomed pot you have. Using a small pot reduces the amount of olive oil needed. Pour in enough olive oil until the garlic cloves are completely submerged and covered.

Step 2: Confit the Garlic. Place the pot over very low heat. Gently bring the oil to barely a simmer – you should see only tiny bubbles, not a rolling boil. Let the garlic confit simmer slowly for approximately one hour, though it may take longer depending on the garlic size and heat. The garlic is ready when you can easily mash a clove with a fork. Remove the softened garlic from the oil (reserving the oil for later use if desired) and mash it into a smooth paste. Set this fragrant garlic confit aside.

Crafting the Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Step 3: Boil the Potatoes. Peel all of your Russet potatoes. Slice them in half lengthwise and place them into a large pot or Dutch oven. Fill the pot with cold water until the potatoes are completely covered by at least an inch. Add a generous amount of salt to the water (about 2-3 tablespoons) – this seasons the potatoes from the inside out. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a rapid boil.

Step 4: Cook Potatoes and Heat Milk. Boil the potatoes for approximately 18-25 minutes, or until they are completely fork-tender. You should be able to easily insert a fork into the center of a potato half with minimal resistance, and it should come out cleanly. While the potatoes are boiling, pour the cup of milk into a small saucepan over low heat. Allow the milk to get hot to the touch, but do not let it come to a simmer or boil; it just needs to be warm.

Step 5: Initial Mash. Once the potatoes are perfectly tender, drain them thoroughly. Immediately transfer the hot potatoes into the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer). While they are still very hot, use a potato masher to mash them just until their original shape is no longer recognizable. This initial mash helps break them down before whisking, preventing overmixing later.

Step 6: Combine Wet Ingredients. To the mashed potatoes, add the heated milk, unsalted butter, olive oil, mascarpone cheese, and 1 teaspoon of salt (or to taste). Attach the whisk attachment to your mixer. Whisk the potatoes on medium-low speed until all the ingredients are just combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.

Step 7: Add Parmesan and Confit. Now, add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and the prepared garlic confit to the mixture. Continue to whisk for an additional 15-20 seconds, or just until the cheese and garlic are evenly incorporated into the potatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve. Finally, gently fold in the freshly chopped parsley. Transfer the garlic parmesan mashed potatoes to a serving bowl. For an extra flourish and burst of flavor, serve immediately with a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese and a fresh sprig of parsley on top.

These luxurious Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes are a fantastic pairing with rich gravy or alongside a variety of your favorite main dishes. They’re particularly wonderful with robust Italian mains like Italian Short Ribs, a classic Italian Meatloaf, or tender Fennel Chicken Thighs in Red Wine.

Expert Tips for Perfect Mashed Potatoes

1. Choose the Right Potatoes: Always use a starchy potato like Russet or Yukon Gold varieties. Their high starch content guarantees a fluffy interior that, when mashed, yields the creamiest, most delectable texture, unlike waxy potatoes which can result in a gluey consistency.
2. Warm Your Dairy: It’s crucial to heat your milk (or cream) to a warm temperature before incorporating it into the hot potatoes. Adding cold milk will drastically drop the temperature of your potatoes, causing the starches to seize up and leading to a stiff, less creamy, and potentially gummy texture.
3. Avoid Overworking: The key to light and fluffy mashed potatoes is gentle handling. Overmixing or over-mashing the potatoes can release too much starch, developing gluten and resulting in a thick, gluey, or gummy consistency. Use a potato masher for the initial breakdown, then switch to a whisk attachment on your mixer for just a few seconds until smooth.
4. Mash While Hot: Potatoes are most receptive to absorbing butter, milk, and other flavorings when they are hot. Mashing them immediately after draining ensures that all the added ingredients are easily integrated, creating a smooth, well-combined, and flavorful dish.

Common Questions About Mashed Potatoes

Delicious Serving Suggestions

Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes are truly the quintessential side dish, adaptable to almost any occasion, from festive holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas to casual family dinners. Here are some fantastic ideas for serving them:

• Pair with Saucy Main Dishes: Their creamy texture makes them perfect for soaking up rich sauces. Try them with Authentic Veal Marsala, The BEST Chicken Piccata, hearty Italian Short Ribs, or elegant Restaurant-Style Chicken Francese.
• Alongside Roasted Meats: They are a classic and comforting accompaniment to any roast. Serve them with Authentic Italian Porchetta, a festive Thanksgiving turkey, or a flavorful Italian Meatloaf!
• Complete Your Holiday Spread: Elevate your holiday or family dinner by including these mashed potatoes alongside other fantastic side dishes, such as sweet and savory Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts, a crisp Italian Radicchio Salad, or the incredibly flavorful BEST Garlic Parmesan Green Beans.

More Flavorful Side Dishes to Explore

If you loved these mashed potatoes, you’ll surely enjoy these other delicious and easy-to-make side dishes:

Please leave a comment and star rating below in the recipe card! We love to hear what you think of our recipes. Feel free to tag us on Instagram @vindelgiudice.

Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Vincent DelGiudice