Y’all, easy recipes are my FAVORITE. Let’s make it taste homemade, but EASY. (Anybody remember the Staples “easy button?”)
One dish that I can save some time on is mashed potatoes. Sure, you might be like “duh, instant,” but here’s the deal – I don’t like instant mashed potatoes. I like homemade, creamy, lumpy mashed potatoes. I want REAL bits of potato, please!
So here’s my time-sensitive solution. Instead of spending time peeling and boiling potatoes, I use one small packet of instant potatoes and one can of whole potatoes. These make mashed potatoes quickly, and the whole potatoes are already softened from being in the can, so they heat up really quickly – perfect for mashing.
Here’s what you need to make this homemade mashed potato recipe DUPE into a LOADED situation:
- 1 Can small, whole white potatoes
- 1 Packet of instant potatoes
- Butter
- Salt
- Water
- Sour cream
- Bacon bits
- Shredded cheddar cheese
First, use a strainer to drain your can of potatoes. I found this can-sized drainer at Walmart in the utensil aisle for under $5. It’s perfect for draining potatoes (or other veggies), letting clean water in to rinse, and then draining again!
Then, pour the drained potatoes into a sauce pan. Run some clean water in the pan too and heat. I add a dash of salt too.
Once these have been heating in the water on the stove top for a bit, test with a potato masher (or a fork) to see if they’re softening. When they’re softening enough to break apart with a push of your utensil, they’re ready. Lower the heat and mash away. (I leave some lumps so it has that real-potato texture, like my Gram’s homemade mashed potatoes always did.)
Add butter, salt, and instant potatoes. Stir together over low heat. Then, I add a dollop of sour cream to keep the mixture creamy.
Once the potatoes are mixed together and look like the texture you enjoy, add in bacon bits and shredded cheddar cheese to your liking. I add another touch of butter, too, but that’s just because I cook with butter like a real Southerner.
Mix everything together so the cheese and bacon are well dispersed throughout. Then, as you serve, sprinkle some final cheese on top! Enjoy with your favorite dinner dish!
Kate with a Twang 