• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Side dishes

    12 Mashed Potato Upgrades You'll Want to Try This Week

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated June 3, 2026 · Published June 7, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food, but there are so many fun ways to give them a twist. From adding unexpected ingredients to trying out different cooking methods, these 12 creative ideas will make your mashed potatoes stand out at any meal. Whether you're looking for something cheesy or spicy, there's a mashed potato recipe here for everyone.

    Saffron Mashed Potatoes

    Saffron Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipes.

    Saffron mashed potatoes add a touch of elegance to a classic dish. This twist on traditional mashed potatoes brings a unique flavor that makes them stand out.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Mashed Potatoes

    Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    Garlic mashed potatoes are rich and creamy, perfect for any meal. They come together quickly in just 30 minutes, making them a simple yet tasty side dish.

    Get the recipe

    Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    These mashed potatoes are super creamy and have a crunchy layer of golden parmesan on top. You can make them a few days ahead to make serving easier and cut down on cleanup.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

    Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These cheesy mashed potatoes are a creamy and rich side dish that can be made in just 35 minutes. They're perfect for family dinners and will definitely hit the spot when you're craving something hearty.

    Get the recipe

    Mashed Potato Soup

    Mashed Potato Soup.
    Photo credit: Joyous Apron.

    Leftover mashed potatoes can be transformed into a delicious soup. With the addition of bacon, sour cream, and cheddar, this dish gives you the comforting flavors of a loaded baked potato in a warm bowl.

    Get the recipe

    Horseradish Mashed Potatoes

    Horseradish Mashed Potatoes Recipe
    Photo Credit: The Foreign Fork.

    These mashed potatoes are loaded with chives, sour cream, milk, and a hint of horseradish, creating a flavorful side that pairs perfectly with red meats like steak or prime rib. They bring a delicious twist to your usual mashed potatoes, making any meal feel special.

    Get the recipe

    Mashed Potato Casserole

    Mashed Potato Casserole
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This mashed potato casserole is rich and cheesy, making it a fantastic side dish. It's also a great way to use up any leftover potatoes, and you can prepare it in advance.

    Get the recipe

    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk

    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These mashed potatoes are rich and creamy thanks to a generous amount of butter, and they don't even need milk. In less than 30 minutes, you can whip up this delicious side dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes

    Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    These mashed potatoes are a delicious twist on a classic dish, bringing a creamy and healthy touch to your table. They can be made ahead of time, making them a convenient side for any meal.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

    Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes offer a fresh take on a classic dish. Steaming the potatoes instead of boiling them results in a soft texture that's perfect for mashing.

    Get the recipe

    Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes

    Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    These tasty garlicky mashed potatoes are easy to make ahead of time, and they're just as good without butter or cream. Enjoy a comforting side dish that's full of flavor and perfect for any meal.

    Get the recipe

    Twice Baked Mashed Potato Casserole

    Twice Baked Mashed Potato Casserole
    Photo Credit: Bitz n Giggles.

    These mashed potatoes are loaded with cheese and bacon, baked to perfection for a fun take on a classic favorite. They make a great dish to share with friends and family.

    Get the recipe

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • A spoonful of bacon mac and cheese being lifted out of the pan.
      Bacon Mac and Cheese
    • Cauliflower potato bake,
      20 Easy Potato Sides That Take Make Any Meal Better
    • Air fryer hasselback potatoes.
      39 Standout Sides That Take Steak Night to the Next Level
    • Close up of potato wedges topped with feta cheese and black olives.
      Potato Wedges with Feta Cheese & Olives

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

    More about me →

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • close up of an air fryer drumstick
      Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
    • A spoonful of gouda mac and cheese being lifted out of the pan with a cheese pull.
      Gouda Mac and Cheese
    • A slice of crispy air fryer bacon on a blue plate.
      Air Fryer Bacon
    • a cinnamon muffin cupcake in front of a tin full
      Cinnamon Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar Topping

    Popular Easy Summer Dinners

    • side view of a healthy salmon fish taco with ginger avocado salsa, and a lime wedge
      Easy Salmon Tacos with Ginger Avocado Salsa
    • Beef stew.
      22 Summer Crockpot Favorites That Save You Time and Stress
    • Sliced medium-rare air fryer skirt steak with a pink center.
      Air Fryer Skirt Steak
    • Lemon pepper salmon in a non-stick pan with lemon wedges.
      Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2026 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB