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    Home Β» Side Dishes Β» Loaded Mashed Potatoes in Jars

    Dec 12, 2016 Β· Modified: Oct 17, 2020 by Sues Β· This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads Β· View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer Β· 16 Comments

    Loaded Mashed Potatoes in Jars

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    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!

    Overhead view of a small mason jar filled with mashed potatoes and topped with cheese, sour cream, chives, and crumbled bacon with a small gold fork sticking out of it, another jar in the background, and recipe title at top

    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.

    Collage showing process for making loaded mashed potatoes in jars, including pot with cooked potatoes in it and pot with potatoes mashed in it

    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.

    Hand holding a block of Cabot Farmhouse Reserve Cheddar Cheese

    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!

    Overhead view of jar of loaded mashed potatoes with shredded cheese, sour cream, chives, and crumbled bacon with a small gold fork sticking out if it, with two more loaded mashed potato jars in the background

    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.

    Close-up of one small mason jar of loaded mashed potatoes, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, chives, and crumbled bacon

    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?

    Overhead view of a small mason jar filled with mashed potatoes and topped with cheese, sour cream, chives, and crumbled bacon with a small gold fork sticking out of it and another jar in the background

    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 -- 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 | wearenotmartha.com

    Loaded Mashed Potatoes in Jars

    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!
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    Course: Side
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Entertaining, holidays, Potatoes
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Makes: 6 servings
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • 3 lbs potatoes (I used a mix of red and Yukon gold), cleaned and chopped into 2-inch pieces
    • ΒΌ tsp salt
    • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
    • Β½ 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.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nancy says

      December 13, 2016 at 11:00 am

      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.

    2. Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says

      December 13, 2016 at 11:05 am

      What a great fifth potato recipe πŸ™‚ Love that they're in jars, very cute!

    3. sarah k @ the pajama chef says

      December 13, 2016 at 12:01 pm

      what a fun idea! super cute πŸ™‚

    4. Pam says

      December 13, 2016 at 12:13 pm

      Tasty looking loaded mashed potatoes... cute presentation!

    5. Amanda says

      December 13, 2016 at 12:55 pm

      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!

    6. Michelle Lahey says

      December 13, 2016 at 1:33 pm

      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!

    7. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

      December 14, 2016 at 8:41 am

      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!

    8. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

      December 14, 2016 at 2:11 pm

      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!

    9. Jess @ Sweetest Menu says

      December 14, 2016 at 7:49 pm

      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!

    10. Reeni says

      December 14, 2016 at 9:27 pm

      These are so CUTE!!! I love potatoes!!!! Don't understand you not loving them! Wink, wink. These would be awesome appetizers for a party!

    11. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

      December 16, 2016 at 11:47 am

      I love potatoes in all forms, especially mashed potatoes! (well, french fries get the top spot haha) the mason jars are too cute!

    12. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says

      December 18, 2016 at 10:22 am

      I love mashed potatoes! Add a little cheese and I just can't resist! πŸ™‚

    13. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

      December 19, 2016 at 11:00 am

      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. πŸ™‚

    14. Victoria says

      December 20, 2016 at 12:06 pm

      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 πŸ™‚

    15. K Shelton says

      March 08, 2022 at 11:43 am

      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?

    16. Sues says

      March 08, 2022 at 6:01 pm

      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!

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