Stress-Free Christmas Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Feast!
Get ready for a stress-free Christmas feast with these make-ahead creamy mashed potatoes and rich gravy! Prepare them a few days in advance and easily reheat on Christmas Day for a delightful holiday meal.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Potato Masher
- Stand Mixer
- Ricer
- Casserole Dish
- Slow Cooker
- Medium Saucepan
- Whisk
- Fat Separator
- Gravy Boat
Ingredients
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- 5 pounds Yukon Gold Potatoes or Russet/Red-Skin for a lighter texture
- 6 ounces Cream Cheese softened (Neufchâtel cheese for a lighter option)
- 3/4 cup Sour Cream Greek yogurt is a great healthier swap!
- 1/2 cup Whole Milk 2% milk or vegetable broth works too for a lighter touch
- 2 teaspoons Salt or onion salt for extra flavor depth
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
- Butter, fresh Chives, or Green Onions Optional, for garnish
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup Heavy Cream or milk, for slow cooker reheating, as needed
Rich Make-Ahead Gravy
- 5 tablespoons Butter dairy-free butter or olive oil can be used
- 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if preferred
- 6 cups Chicken Stock or turkey/beef/vegetable stock for a vegetarian option
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce optional, look for a vegan version if vegetarian
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt or to taste
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
- About 1 cup Turkey, Chicken, or Beef Drippings from your roast on serving day
Instructions
- A Few Days Before Christmas (Make-Ahead Magic!):
- For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 1. Prep Your Potatoes: Start by peeling and cutting your potatoes into roughly golf-ball-sized chunks. Keeping them even helps them cook uniformly.
- 2. Boil Them Tender: Place the potato chunks in a large pot, cover them with cold, salted water, and bring it to a rolling boil. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until they're super soft and easily pierced with a fork.
- 3. Mash It Up: Drain the potatoes very well. Now, mash them using a potato masher, a stand mixer, or even a ricer for the fluffiest results. Skip the food processor – it can make potatoes gluey!
- 4. Add the Goodness: While the potatoes are still warm, mix in the softened cream cheese (or Neufchâtel), sour cream (or Greek yogurt), milk (or 2% milk/broth), salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is smooth, creamy, and wonderfully blended. Taste and adjust the seasoning to perfection!
- 5. Store for Later: Transfer the mashed potatoes into a buttered casserole dish (for oven reheating) or the removable insert of your slow cooker. Cover it tightly and pop it in the fridge for up to three days.
- For the Rich Make-Ahead Gravy:
- 1. Create Your Roux: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter (or dairy-free butter/olive oil) over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour until it's smooth and fully combined.
- 2. Toast for Flavor: Continue whisking frequently for about 10 minutes until your roux turns a beautiful golden-brown color and smells slightly nutty. This deepens the flavor!
- 3. Slowly Add Stock: Gradually pour in the chicken stock (or your chosen stock), whisking constantly to keep any lumps from forming. Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer.
- 4. Thicken It Up: Let it cook for another 10–15 minutes, whisking occasionally, until it thickens enough to lightly coat the back of a spoon.
- 5. Season to Taste: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce (if using), salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust until it's just right.
- 6. Cool & Chill: Allow the gravy to cool completely. Then, pour it into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days (or freeze for longer storage).
- On Christmas Day (Easy Reheating!):
- To Reheat Mashed Potatoes:
- Oven Method (Classic!): Take the dish out of the fridge about 30 minutes before baking to let it warm up slightly. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Cover the dish and bake for 35–50 minutes, or until it's hot and steamy throughout. Just before serving, dot the top with a little butter and sprinkle with fresh chives or green onions for a festive touch!
- Slow Cooker Method (Hands-Off!): About 4–6 hours before your meal, transfer the chilled potatoes to your slow cooker. Set it to LOW, cover, and stir gently every couple of hours. If they look a bit dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream (or milk/broth). Once heated through, switch to WARM until it's time to serve. Garnish with fresh herbs just before dishing up.
- Pro Tip: For that irresistible "just mashed" taste, stir in a tablespoon or two of melted butter right before serving.
- To Reheat Gravy:
- 1. Gentle Warm-Up: Transfer your refrigerated gravy to a saucepan and warm it gently over low heat, stirring occasionally to keep it silky smooth.
- 2. Add the Drippings: Once your Christmas roast is ready, pour the flavorful drippings into a fat separator (or carefully spoon off the fat from a measuring cup). Stir these incredible drippings right into your reheated gravy – it'll taste amazing!
- 3. Finish & Serve: Heat until everything is piping hot and glossy. Pour into your favorite gravy boat and serve immediately. Enjoy your perfectly smooth and rich Christmas gravy!
Notes
Feel free to customize this feast! For the potatoes, consider Russet or Red-Skin for a lighter texture, Neufchâtel cheese, Greek yogurt, or 2% milk/vegetable broth for healthier swaps. Onion salt can add extra flavor. Garnish with butter, fresh chives, or green onions. For the gravy, use dairy-free butter or olive oil, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, or turkey/beef/vegetable stock for dietary needs. A vegan Worcestershire sauce can be used if preferred. Remember to incorporate pan drippings from your roast for the richest flavor. Pro Tip: Stir in a tablespoon or two of melted butter right before serving the mashed potatoes for that irresistible "just mashed" taste.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 529 kcal
Total Carbohydrates: 43g
Net Carbs: 38.9g
Fats: 36g
Protein: 10g
Calories: 529 kcal
Total Carbohydrates: 43g
Net Carbs: 38.9g
Fats: 36g
Protein: 10g
