Why You’ll Love This Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast!

Get ready to fall head over heels for the ultimate holiday side dish that’s so good, it might just steal the show from the main course! Our Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast isn’t just a recipe; it’s a warm, comforting hug on a plate. Here are four irresistible reasons why you absolutely need this in your life this festive season:

Effortlessly Delicious: Forget complicated. This recipe is straightforward, yielding incredibly flavorful and creamy mashed potatoes paired with a rich, savory gravy that tastes like it took hours, but only takes minutes!
Pure Holiday Magic: There’s something undeniably festive about a mountain of fluffy mashed potatoes draped in a luscious, golden gravy. It evokes childhood memories, cozy gatherings, and the undeniable spirit of Christmas.
A Crowd-Pleaser Every Time: Whether you’re hosting a grand holiday dinner or an intimate family meal, this dish is universally loved. It’s the comfort food everyone craves and is guaranteed to bring smiles to every face at your table.
Easier Than You Think: Don’t let the gourmet taste fool you! We’ve broken down every step to ensure your journey to creamy perfection is smooth, simple, and stress-free, leaving you more time to enjoy the festivities.

Unwrap the Magic: Your Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast Awaits!

The scent of pine, twinkling lights, and the joyous hum of holiday cheer… what’s missing from this perfect picture? Ah, yes! A heaping, glorious bowl of the most divine, cloud-like mashed potatoes, swimming in a rich, savory river of homemade gravy. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a non-negotiable part of your holiday tradition, a culinary cornerstone that brings comfort, joy, and sighs of pure contentment to every Christmas table. Get ready to create a truly unforgettable Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast that will have everyone asking for seconds (and perhaps even thirds!). Let’s dive into the delicious details and make some holiday magic happen!

Gather Your Yuletide Treasures: Ingredients with Measurements

Preparing your festive feast begins with gathering these simple yet essential ingredients. You’ll be amazed at the magic they create together!

For the Mashed Potatoes:

🥔 3 pounds russet potatoes
🧈 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
🥛 1 cup half & half
🧂 Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

For the Brown Gravy:

🧈 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
🌾 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
🥩 1 teaspoon beef base (or 1 bouillon cube)
🍗 1 teaspoon chicken base (or 1 bouillon cube)
🧄 ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
💧 2 cups water

Your Sleigh Ride to Deliciousness: Detailed Step-by-Step Directions

Follow these easy steps to bring your Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast to life!

Prep & Cook Potatoes: First things first, peel those russet potatoes and chop them into manageable 1-2 inch pieces. Pop them into a large 6-8 quart pot and cover them generously with water – about 2 inches above the potatoes. Don’t forget a good pinch of salt! Bring that pot to a rolling boil over high heat, then dial it back to a gentle simmer. Let them cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until they’re super tender and practically fall apart with a fork.
Prepare the Gravy Magic: While your potatoes are doing their thing, grab a smaller pot. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Now, here’s where the magic begins: whisk in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour. Keep whisking, my friend, for 2-3 minutes, until it turns into a lovely light golden, fluffy roux. This is your gravy’s delicious foundation!
Flavor the Gravy Wonderland: Stir in the beef base, chicken base, and garlic powder until they’re perfectly combined with your roux. Next, gradually pour in 2 cups of water, whisking continuously like a maestro conducting an orchestra – this keeps your gravy silky smooth! Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken up. Once it’s looking good, remove it from the heat; it’ll continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
Drain & Dry Potatoes with Care: When your potatoes are wonderfully tender, carefully drain them into a colander. Here’s a pro tip for ultimate fluffiness: let them sit and steam for at least 5 minutes. This little trick helps banish excess moisture, ensuring your mashed potatoes are light as a cloud!
Mash the Potatoes to Perfection: Return your hot cooking pot to the stovetop (heat off!). Add 8 tablespoons of butter and 1 cup of half & half. The residual heat will warm and melt them beautifully. Now, add your dried potatoes back into the pot. For extra smooth results, grab a potato ricer. If you prefer a bit more texture, a good old potato masher will do the trick! Mash until they’re creamy and fluffy. Give it a good stir to incorporate all that buttery, creamy goodness. Taste and season with salt and pepper until it’s just right.
Serve Your Festive Creation: Transfer the warm, fluffy mashed potatoes to your favorite serving bowl. If your gravy has cooled a bit too much, give it a gentle reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave – a splash of water will help loosen it if needed. Now, the best part: pour that glorious, warm gravy generously over your mashed potatoes and serve immediately! Enjoy your magnificent Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast!

Presentation Perfection: Serving Your Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast

Making your Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast is only half the fun! Presenting it beautifully elevates the entire dining experience. Here are some delightful ways to serve and showcase your culinary masterpiece:

The Classic Mountain: Pile your fluffy mashed potatoes high in a rustic ceramic serving bowl. Create a gentle well in the center with the back of a spoon, perfect for a generous pour of warm gravy. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, chives, or a sprig of rosemary for an aromatic touch.
Gravy Boat Grandeur: For a more elegant spread, serve the mashed potatoes in one beautiful bowl and the gravy in a classic gravy boat. This allows guests to drizzle their own desired amount of savory goodness, ensuring every spoonful is customized to perfection.
Individual Delights: For a touch of sophistication, serve individual portions of mashed potatoes in small ramekins or charming mini bowls. Top each with a swirl of gravy and a tiny sprig of thyme or a dusting of smoked paprika for visual appeal.
Side Dish Star: Position your mashed potatoes and gravy as a proud centerpiece alongside your roasted turkey, ham, or prime rib. The creamy texture and rich flavor perfectly complement any holiday main course, making it an indispensable part of your Christmas feast.

Preserve the Holiday Cheer: Storage & Longevity

Don’t let any of your precious Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast go to waste! Here’s how to store your leftovers and enjoy them later:

Refrigeration: Allow both the mashed potatoes and gravy to cool completely before storing. Transfer them to separate airtight containers. They will last beautifully in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezing Mashed Potatoes: Mashed potatoes freeze surprisingly well! Once cooled, transfer them to freezer-safe bags (squeeze out excess air) or airtight containers. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Freezing Gravy: Gravy also freezes well. Pour it into freezer-safe containers or even ice cube trays for smaller portions. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or gently reheat from frozen over low heat, stirring frequently.
Reheating:
- Mashed Potatoes: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, adding a splash of milk or half & half to restore creaminess if needed. You can also reheat in the microwave in short bursts, stirring in between.
- Gravy: Reheat on the stovetop over low to medium heat, whisking constantly. If it’s too thick, add a little water or broth, whisking until smooth and desired consistency is reached.

FAQs: Your Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast Questions Answered!

Got questions about perfecting your festive feast? We’ve got answers!

Can I use different types of potatoes for mashed potatoes?
Yes! While russets are ideal for fluffy results, Yukon Golds also make wonderfully creamy mashed potatoes with a slightly buttery flavor. Waxy potatoes like red bliss are generally not recommended as they can become gummy.
How do I prevent lumpy gravy?
The key is continuous whisking! When adding the flour to the butter to make the roux, whisk constantly. Then, when gradually adding the water, whisk vigorously to ensure no lumps form. A fine-mesh sieve can also rescue a lumpy gravy in a pinch!
Can I make the mashed potatoes or gravy ahead of time?
Absolutely! Both can be made 1-2 days in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Reheat gently following our storage instructions.
What can I use instead of half & half for the potatoes?
You can use whole milk for a lighter mash, heavy cream for extra richness, or even a dairy-free milk alternative (like unsweetened almond or oat milk) for a dairy-free version, though the texture may vary slightly.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free or gluten-free?
For dairy-free mashed potatoes, use a plant-based butter alternative and unsweetened plant-based milk (e.g., oat or almond milk). For gluten-free gravy, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or cornstarch (use 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water, then whisk into hot gravy to thicken).
What kind of potato masher is best?
A potato ricer will give you the smoothest, fluffiest results. For a slightly chunkier, more rustic texture, a traditional handheld potato masher or even a fork will work well. Avoid food processors, which can over-process and make potatoes gluey.
Can I add garlic to the mashed potatoes?
Absolutely! For garlic mashed potatoes, you can boil a few cloves of peeled garlic with your potatoes, then mash them together. Or, for a more intense flavor, roast a head of garlic, squeeze out the softened cloves, and mash them into your cooked potatoes.
How can I make the gravy even richer?
To deepen the gravy flavor, you can use beef or chicken broth instead of water. A splash of red wine or a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce can also add complexity and richness.
What are beef and chicken bases?
Beef and chicken bases are concentrated pastes that provide intense meaty flavor. They are usually found in jars near bouillons or soups in the grocery store. They offer a richer flavor than bouillon cubes, but cubes dissolved in a small amount of hot water work as a great substitute.
My gravy is too thick/thin. How do I fix it?
If your gravy is too thick, whisk in a little more water or broth, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, create a slurry by whisking 1 tablespoon of flour or cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water, then slowly whisk it into your simmering gravy until thickened.

Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast 🎄

A festive and comforting side dish featuring creamy mashed potatoes smothered in a rich homemade brown gravy, perfect for your Christmas feast.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Cuisine American

Servings 8 Servings

Calories 340 kcal

Equipment

Large 6-8 quart pot
Colander
Potato ricer or potato masher
Smaller pot
Whisk

Ingredients

For the Mashed Potatoes

3 pounds russet potatoes
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup half & half
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Brown Gravy

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon beef base (or 1 bouillon cube)
1 teaspoon chicken base (or 1 bouillon cube)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups water

Instructions

Prep & Cook Potatoes: Begin by peeling and chopping the russet potatoes into 1-2 inch pieces. Place them in a large 6-8 quart pot and cover with water, ensuring the water is at least 2 inches above the potatoes. Add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender and easily mashed with a fork.
Prepare the Gravy: While the potatoes are cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a smaller pot over medium heat. Whisk in ¼ cup of all-purpose flour. Continue whisking constantly for 2-3 minutes until the mixture forms a light golden, fluffy roux.
Flavor the Gravy: Stir in the beef base, chicken base, and garlic powder until everything is well combined into the roux. Gradually pour in 2 cups of water, whisking continuously to keep the gravy smooth. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken. Then, remove the pot from the heat; the gravy will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
Drain & Dry Potatoes: Once the potatoes are tender, carefully pour them into a colander to drain. Let them sit and steam for at least 5 minutes; this helps remove excess moisture, resulting in wonderfully fluffy mashed potatoes.
Mash the Potatoes: Return the hot cooking pot to the stovetop (off heat). Add 8 tablespoons of butter and 1 cup of half & half, letting them warm and melt from the residual heat. Add the dried potatoes back into the pot. Use a potato ricer for extra smooth results, or a potato masher, to mash the potatoes until they are creamy and fluffy. Stir well to incorporate the butter and half & half. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve: Transfer the warm, fluffy mashed potatoes to a serving bowl. Reheat the gravy gently on the stovetop or in the microwave if it has cooled too much, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen it. Pour the warm gravy generously over the mashed potatoes and serve immediately.

Notes

This festive recipe delivers deliciously creamy mashed potatoes paired with a savory brown gravy, ideal for any holiday meal.

Nutrition information per serving:
Calories: 340kcal
Total Carbs: 35g
Fats: 21g
Protein: 5g

A Christmas Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast!!