No hearty meal is complete without mashed potatoes, especially when Thanksgiving rolls around. All you need to do is literally mash a few potatoes! But what happens if you just want mashed potatoes for one person? You can always eyeball the basic ingredients like milk, butter, and spices — because, really, mashed potatoes are hard to mess up — but it helps to have a game plan. This will definitely come in handy if you need to spend Thanksgiving alone, which isn't all that bad if you have the right mindset.
Maybe you need to work, or can't get home until after the actual holiday. Or perhaps it is not even Thanksgiving, and you just want some homemade mashed potatoes from scratch. It does not help that basically every recipe yields enough servings to feed an entire party. Whatever the reason, you do not need to deprive yourself of this popular comfort food.
One might argue that you can always make instant mashed potatoes from the box. Yet, I think we can all agree dehydrated potato flakes are nothing like the real thing. Mashed potatoes are just so easy to make that it would be silly to not choose homemade.
Ready for a smashing recipe? Here's how to make mashed potatoes for one single person.
- 2 or 3 Yukon gold potatoes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon spices
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
Before starting, bring a small pot of water to a boil.
1. Wash and peel the potatoes.
2. Cut each potato into four pieces.
3. Drop potatoes in the pot of water. Boil until soft, about 15 to 20 minutes. The potato should be easy to pierce with a fork.
4. Drain the potatoes. While warm, mash with a potato masher or large spoon.
5. Add the butter and spices. For this recipe, I used a combination of ground black pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Mix well.
Don't have butter on hand? Coconut oil or olive oil work just fine.
6. Slowly add milk or heavy cream, constantly stirring until you reach the preferred consistency. Fluffier, creamier mashed potatoes will need more liquid.
To make a dairy-free version, use coconut or almond milk instead. Vegetable broth also works wonderfully.
7. Top off with fresh sage or rosemary, and enjoy. Now wasn't that easy?
Don't feel limited to this recipe. With a few additional ingredients, you can instantly upgrade this single serving of mashed potatoes:
Cream Cheese
Who can say no to cream cheese? For a seriously rich batch of potatoes, add a spoonful.
Sour Cream
Sour cream will have the same effect. Better yet, try adding a tablespoon of chip dip, even if it's from the jar.
Plain Yogurt
A healthier alternative is plain yogurt. It'll add a creamy, tangy flavor with some probiotics to boot.
Minced Garlic
This recipe calls for a half teaspoon of minced garlic, but adding another one or two teaspoons will make garlicky mashed potatoes.
Dry Ranch Dressing Mix
Those packets aren't just for sour cream, you guys. Add a spoonful or two for a zesty, flavorful kick.
Taco Seasoning
It sounds weird, but trust me on this one. Taco seasoning is an amazing addition to any meal.
Sriracha
This one doesn't need an explanation. If you're all about spicy notes, bring in a dash of cayenne or paprika.
Vegetables
Don't let those leftover veggies go to waste. Chop 'em up, sauté, and fold into the potatoes.
Cheese
Because cheesy potatoes are the jam. Nothing beats cheddar or mozzarella, but any cheese will taste delicious.
Of course, no comforting side dish is complete without a comforting entree. Why not pair this single serving of mashed potatoes with a lasagna for one or macaroni and cheese for one? Small batch cooking FTW.
Check out more Single Serving recipe ideas here for when your speed is less “entertaining my crew” and more “watching Netflix alone on my couch.”
