What makes these mashed potatoes so creamy?  Additions of cream cheese, sour cream and butter make these potatoes so smooth and creamy and rich.  Everyone loves these, and they’re always a bit hit.  You can lighten up the recipe a bit by using low fat cream cheese and light sour cream, but I recommend you go all out and use the good stuff!

How to Make Creamy Oven Baked Mashed Potatoes:

You’ll need 10 large Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. Those are the best potatoes since they are higher in starch. They’ll give you smooth and fluffy mashed potatoes. The potatoes are peeled and chopped. They’re boiled until quite soft. 

The the potatoes are transferred to a bowl and mashed. I like this potato masher.

Then you’ll mix in cream cheese, sour cream and garlic salt.  That’s it! 

The mashed potatoes are spooned into a buttered casserole dish and dotted with pieces of butter.  You’ll garnish with chopped chives and a sprinkle of paprika.  And then they are baked for 15 minutes.  Or you can make them ahead and bake them when you’re ready for them!

Are there Make Ahead instructions for these Mashed Potatoes?

I like to make these potatoes ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator. Prepare the recipe and place the potatoes in a casserole dish with garnishes on top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to heat. Remove from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for at least an hour before baking. Remove plastic wrap, and bake as directed.  If you’re lacking oven space, use your slow cooker to heat up the potatoes instead!

These oven baked mashed potatoes turn out so incredibly creamy and delicious. They are the perfect addition to a special meal or a Sunday night dinner. Enjoy!

I also have a step-by-step tutorial on How to Make the Best Mashed Potatoes, if you’re interested in checking that out.  I think they turn out perfect, but they’re not quite as creamy as my Creamy Oven Baked Mashed Potatoes since there is not cream cheese or sour cream in that one.

Here are a few more holiday side dish recipes you might be interested in:

Sweet Potato Croissants Orange Sherbet Jello Salad Cranberry- Orange Glazed Green Beans Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe Double Decker Pumpkin- Caramel Pie Southern Pecan Pie Maple Roasted Pumpkin Salad

And if you’re looking for complete Thanksgiving menu ideas, be sure to check out my Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Menu and my Gluten Free Thanksgiving Dinner Menu.