Italian Mashed Potatoes (3-ingredients)
All the tips and tricks to make the BEST Italian mashed potatoes every single time! Ready in 30 min with just 3 ingredients.
There's nothing quite comforting than a rich bowl of creamy Italian mashed potatoes.
Loved by grown-ups and kids alike, this 3-ingredient potato mash is a super versatile dish and makes a great side for both weeknight meals and festive dinners.
Over the years I've made this mash endless times and my family keeps asking for more.
Awesomely gluten-free and ready in less than 30 minutes, this recipe is a keeper!
Potato mash is possibly one of the simplest potato recipes ever created, but it's also one of the easiest sides to mess up.
Grainy or gluey texture and lack of flavour are some of the most common issues, and it all comes down to using the right ingredients and method.
Below you'll find all the tips and tricks I've learned over the years, to make perfect mashed potatoes that will see your guests coming back for more.
But first, let's talk about the simple ingredients you will need to make it.
Italian potato mash ingredients
This homemade mashed potatoes recipe only requires very 3 very basic ingredients:
- potatoes ( I use a mix of Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes)
- fresh milk
- butter
Potatoes:
Choosing the right spud is essential for this recipe. What are the best potatoes for mashed potatoes?
For a fluffy mash, avoid waxy potatoes such as Red Bliss or New Potatoes, as they have a low starch content and don't absorb much dairy.
Go for Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes instead. Russet potatoes will give you the creamiest mash, but if you don't mind a bit of texture, Yukon Golds are also great. They have more flavour and lovely gold colour.
Milk:
For a creamy and velvety mash, opt for full-fat fresh milk. My favourite to use was a2 Milk™, but sadly is no longer available in UK, so use your favourite fresh whole milk.
Butter:
Butter is the key ingredient to get a rich, creamy, delicious result.
You can't go wrong with artisanal butter, French or Irish butter are my favourite choices.
I like to to use salted butter, but you can totally use unsalted butter if you like.
TIPS FOR THE BEST POTATO MASH
Once you've got your ingredients right, it's essential to follow a few rules to get the best potato mash ever.
Don't peel or cut the potatoes.
Unpeeled and unchopped potatoes absorb less water whilst they cook, preserving their natural starch.
Use a potato ricer or masher.
Never ever use a blender or food processor for mashing the potatoes, you'll almost certainly end up with a gluey unpleasant texture.
You can opt for a potato ricer if you like your mash to be creamy and fluffy (as I did in the recipe video below).
Instead, use a potato masher (as I did in the pictures) if you like some tiny potato bits. which will give a nice rustic texture to your potato mash.
Use softened butter.
Don't melt the butter before-hand, simply add softened butter chunks whilst you mix your potato mash.
Add warm milk.
Heat your milk before adding it into your mash, this is the best tip to get creamy and velvety mash every single time. Avoid adding all your milk at once, but pour it slowly whilst mixing.
How To Make Italian Mashed Potatoes
Let's start by cooking the potatoes.
Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold lightly salted water.
Bring to a boil, uncover and boil the potatoes for about 20 minutes, or until they are tender and cooked through.
Once the potatoes are ready, drain them in a colander and peel whilst still hot.
Place the potatoes in a large bowl, add in softened butter and mash with the help of a potato masher.
Then add warm milk.
Avoid adding all your milk at once, but pour it slowly whilst mixing. Continue to mash the potatoes until reaching the desired texture.
Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and a pinch of nutmeg if you like.
How To Customize It
Once you have mastered the basics, go wild with all kind of add-ons.
I love adding a bit of Parmesan or Pecorino cheese for cheesy mashed potatoes, or simply some fresh chopped herbs.
Another great add on would be a couple of spoons of sour cream, as suggested by American cookbook author Ina Garten.
You can also add stir-fried leeks for an awesome leek and mashed potato version, or some bacon, if you're feeling indulgent!
What Can You Eat Mashed Potatoes With?
Here are a few of favourite ways to enjoy it:
–You can't go wrong with Crispy Oven Fried Chicken Tenders, they're super crispy and awesomely baked instead of fried.
- This Italian-style Prosciutto Wrapped Cod takes just 20 min to prepare and makes a nutritious dinner.
– These Beer Lime Chicken Skewers are loaded with flavour, and effortlessly easy to prepare.
– Cauliflower fritters! These are so good, and awesomely baked rather than fried.
What to Do With Leftover Mashed Potatoes?
There are tons of delicious ways to use your leftover mash, here are some of my favourites:
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Please let me know how you liked it! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #thepetitecook. Looking at your pictures always makes me smile *and super hungry*!
Recipe
Italian Mashed Potatoes (Just 3 Ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 800 g whole Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
- 60 g butter, softened
- 60 ml fresh whole milk, warmed
- sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- a pinch of nutmeg, optional
- finely chopped parsley/chives, optional
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, uncover and simmer for about 20-30 min, or until the potatoes are tender and cooked through.
- Once the potatoes are ready, drain in a colander and peel whilst still hot. In the meantime, warm up your milk.
- Place the potatoes in a large bowl, add in softened butter and mash with the help of a potato masher.
- Slowly pour the warmed milk in, and continue to mash the potatoes until reaching the desired texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste and a pinch of nutmeg if you like.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs (optional) and serve your mashed potatoes immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I love mashed potatoes, and these look so creamy and delicious! I am a fan of a2 milk as well. Somehow I think mashed potatoes will end up on our dinner menu this week. Yum!
I think I could eat this every single day of my life!
That's two of us!! It's so fluffy and delicious!
I think I will try this recipe because it looks like there are still lumps of potato in this side dish and I like lumpy mashed potatoes!
I agree - mashed potatoes are meant to be rich! ItsI not the place to skimp on the calories! These look great, and I like your helpful tips.
Our family can't get enough mashed potatoes during the year. We love them mashed and cold in salads during the summer and hot in casseroles in winter. I've always wanted to get a ricer and this made me want to get one even more!
I always thought I knew how to make mashed potatoes but it turns out no, I really didn’t! So many great tips in this post, looking forward to using some of them!
I am obsessed with all things potato. Thanks for the tips! This mash looks delicious and so easy!!
I definitely prefer a traditional hand masher to anything else! Gets the texture just right! And that's interesting about the milk - I had casein issues for a while (though not gastro, I'm glad to say...) would have liked to try this!
I can have this anytime of the day. Thank you so much for sharing the tips and tricks
My husband and son both have dairy sensitivities, so this looks like a great alternative method for making one of my favorite dishes totally family friendly!
Always add a little nutmeg! So few people do this and it makes all the difference. Love that you've included it in your wonderful recipe!
Great tip on heating the milk. Creamy goodness, will save this in my back pocket for the Fall.
Thank you Gene! Looking forward to hearing your feedback once you try it 🙂
Those potatoes looks so creamy and delicious! I'm going to use these to make shepherd's pie! Love, love, love mashed potatoes.
I've been looking for a good mashed potatoes recipe for ages, found this and gave it a try, it was delicious! Thanks