Loaded mashed potatoes are always delicious, but loaded mashed potatoes in jars are even more special. They're perfect for dinner parties or holiday entertaining!
Want to hear something crazy? In the almost nine years I've had this blog, I've only used white potatoes (meaning non-sweet potatoes) in a total of four recipes. That's like one potato recipe every other year. And really, one of those recipes was for gnocchi, which I'm not even totally sure counts (do you ever actually feel like you're eating potatoes when you eat gnocchi??). I've probably said it about a billion times, but I'm just plain not a potato person and I do not understand everyone's obsession with them. I can't help but feel like they're one of the world's most boring foods and I rarely get excited about them. Well, unless they're covered in cheese and baked so that the cheese gets all golden and crispy and then I could eat them forever. But at that point, I'm probably just eating crispy cheese with some potatoes thrown in.
However, I did get a random mashed potato craving out of nowhere the other day and I had to satisfy it ASAP. To be fair, it might have been a bacon/cheese/sour cream craving, but I can't be certain. All I know is that these loaded mashed potatoes cured it. I also know that I put them in little mini mason jars because I thought they'd be super cute and also so perfect for holiday entertaining! While I find potatoes pretty boring, I do think a well-made mashed potato can be heavenly when the mood hits!
LOADED MASHED POTATOES IN JARS RECIPE
If I'm going to eat potatoes, I'm most definitely going to eat the skins. It's my favorite part! And the most chock full of vitamins and nutrition. So, I decided to boil these potatoes with the skins still on. I used a mixture of Yukon gold and red potatoes, but you can use whatever your heart desires.
Because a potato just isn't worth it without cheese, I incorporated Cabot Farmhouse Reserve Cheddar into my mashed potatoes. This is one of my favorite cheeses in all the world! Cabot sent me a little selection earlier this month and I have to admit that it's almost gone! I will not feel guilty about that.
So, really these are quite simple. Once you're done with your mashing business, you simply put the mashed potatoes in jars. I used a pastry bag with no tip, just to make sure the potatoes were nice and smooth as they went into the jars. In case you're wondering, I used these 8 oz. mason jars and felt like they were the perfect size.
And because these aren't just mashed potatoes, but are loaded mashed potatoes, I loaded them right up with a combination of sour cream, bacon, chives, and another healthy sprinkling of cheese. The more the merrier, my friends. One thing I didn't add to the potatoes was garlic... Which always makes potatoes more awesome to me. I actually didn't feel like these ones needed it, but I wouldn't stop you if you tried to add it!
Man, these hit the spot and totally took care of my potato craving. At least for the next year or so. And the little jars definitely help with portion control, too. Not that anyone would have known if I had eaten two. Maybe I did... You'll never know.
I really think you need to serve these loaded mashed potatoes at any holiday gatherings you have this year. The jars look so cute set all around the dinner table and they leave plenty of room for your guests to still fill their plates up with other goodies.
Next, I might have to try to make mini sweet potato soufflés in jars. While I rarely eat white potatoes, my diet (and blog) is pretty sweet potato heavy. I made my first sweet potato soufflé for Thanksgiving and now I want to eat it all the time. Serving it in jars would help since I could basically eat an entire soufflé dish of it and it's not exactly the healthiest dish in the world!
But then, isn't everything basically better when served in jars?
Welcome to my blog, potato recipe number five! I'm actually thinking I'll make a potato dish for Christmas dinner, too, but haven't settled on just which one yet! Recommendations are welcome! Potatoes in jars receive extra points.
Are you a white potato person? Or do you need to jazz them up to really get into them?
If you're looking for other delicious side dishes great for the holidays or for entertaining at any time of year, check out my Skillet Green Bean Casserole or my Four-Cheese Mac and Cheese.
Loaded Mashed Potatoes in Jars
Ingredients
- 3 lbs potatoes (I used a mix of red and Yukon gold), cleaned and chopped into 2-inch pieces
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ cup 2% milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
- Sour cream, for topping
- Chives, for topping
- 2 strips crispy bacon, crumbled
Instructions
- Place potatoes in a large pot and cover them completely with water.
- Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Add salt to pot and boil potatoes, uncovered, until they're fork tender, about 20-25 minutes.
- Drain potatoes and return them to the pot.
- Add butter, milk, and cheese to the potatoes and mash until incorporated.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Using a pastry bag, pipe mashed potatoes into 8 oz. mason jars. Alternatively, you could scoop potatoes into jars.
- Top mashed potatoes with sour cream, chives, crumbled bacon, and additional cheese.
Notes
- I prefer to leave the skin on my potatoes (for extra nutrients!), but you can peel potatoes if you prefer.
Nancy says
Being white potato people, this sounds amazing! I'm going to make them for Jason and I on Christmas, but 8 oz. will never do for him, he loves cheesy potatoes, add the bacon and sour cream he'll be in heaven.
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says
What a great fifth potato recipe 🙂 Love that they're in jars, very cute!
sarah k @ the pajama chef says
what a fun idea! super cute 🙂
Pam says
Tasty looking loaded mashed potatoes... cute presentation!
Amanda says
I see this post about mashed potatoes and think "mmm, yum!" Then I see they're cheesy and think "mmm, yum". And then I see the skins on and I think "MMM, YUM!!" I've had a mashed potato craving once or twice too...or more. ? I want a huge scoop right now!
Michelle Lahey says
I grew up eating baked white potatoes with plenty of sour cream and butter, so I am still borderline obsessed with white potatoes today. Thankfully, my husband isn't a huge fan of them, so I don't overdo it!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I don't make mashed potatoes a lot (mainly because I don't like peeling them) but I do LOVE them! And this jar idea is SO cute! I would gladly peel potatoes for this loaded version. YUM!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I ain't mad at ya for not being crazy in love with plain potatoes. Even when I make mashed potatoes I normally jazz them up or use a different potato entirely, so I guess I fall in the same camp as you. This loaded mashed potato in jars business is GENIUS! I mean, loaded? YES!!! In JARS?! So clever!! I am just swooning!! Cheers, lady!
Jess @ Sweetest Menu says
Get out of town! This is like my dream dinner/snack/anytime food! I love potatoes in all shapes and sizes but these are so fun!
Reeni says
These are so CUTE!!! I love potatoes!!!! Don't understand you not loving them! Wink, wink. These would be awesome appetizers for a party!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
I love potatoes in all forms, especially mashed potatoes! (well, french fries get the top spot haha) the mason jars are too cute!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I love mashed potatoes! Add a little cheese and I just can't resist! 🙂
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Well I'm a real potato girl and can say that I've certainly had my share of loaded potatoes. What I haven't had is potatoes served as cute as yours in the jars. 🙂
Victoria says
I'm actually a huge potato lover, and generally pick potatoes over rice when given the option. One of my favorite comforts of all time is loaded mashed potatoes (you also barely have to chew, so that's always a win on the laziest of days). Love the idea of serving in small jars and using for entertaining. This would be so much fun for a holiday open house 🙂
K Shelton says
They look wonderful, is it possible to make ahead of time for mash potato bar and leave them in a slow cooker water bath for outdoor wedding?
Sues says
Hi! That sounds so fun! I think you should be able to do this, but since it's for a wedding, I would definitely recommend doing a test run beforehand!