Basil Mashed Potatoes

This Basil Mashed Potatoes recipe is a great twist to traditional mashed potatoes. Adding a swirl of homemade basil pesto makes the best mashed potatoes that your whole family will love!

If you love mashed potatoes like I do, these creamy mashed potatoes will likely become a new favorite side dish for you.

And if you’re like me and love all things pesto, these pesto mashed potatoes will become habit forming!  Just a little swirl of added basil pesto can turn plain ol potatoes into something a little more rich and elegant.  

How to Make Mashed Potatoes Without Milk

For this recipe, we use a little chicken broth instead of milk for lighter potatoes.  You can also use a little of the water that the potatoes were boiled in rather than chicken broth if you like.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe

This is an easy mashed potatoes recipe to pull together any night of the week!  You can use either russet potatoes, Yukon gold or red potatoes for this recipe.   

• Russet, Yukon Gold or Red Potatoes 
• Chicken broth (or the water from boiling the potatoes or a little milk)
• Basil pesto
• Butter or vegan butter

For the Basil Pesto

• Fresh basil leaves
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Garlic cloves
• Extra-virgin olive oil

How to Cook Mashed Potatoes

Learn how to mash potatoes so they turn out perfect every time.  This homemade mashed potatoes recipe comes together in about 20 minutes start-to-finish.

1. Cut the potatoes in quarters and place in a large pot.
2. Cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 – 12 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
3. Drain the potatoes and add the chicken broth.
4. Using an electric mixer, blend the potatoes until they’re creamy.

How to Make Pesto

1. Combine the basil leaves, Parmesan cheese and garlic in a blender or food processor fitted with the metal blade and pulse until the leaves are minced finely.
2. Add the olive oil and pulse to blend, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Variations

• Use a little water that the potatoes boiled in or a little milk instead of chicken broth if you prefer
• Use arugula instead of basil for the pesto
• Adjust the amount of parmesan cheese to your preference or omit it altogether for a dairy-free version

More Healthy Side Dish Recipes 

• Easy Skillet Haricot Verts
• Butter Beans
• Italian Butter Beans
• Vegan Stuffing
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes 
• Pesto Cauliflower Rice
• Basil Pesto Broccoli
• How to Freeze Pesto

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Yield: 4 servings

Basil Mashed Potatoes

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

These Basil Mashed Potatoes are a great twist to traditional mashed potatoes. Adding a swirl of homemade basil pesto makes the best mashed potatoes that your whole family will love!

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 pounds potatoes (russet or red)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup basil pesto
• For the Basil Pesto
• 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, add more for desired consistency

Instructions

1. Cut the potatoes in quarters and place in a large pot.
2. Cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 - 12 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
3. Drain the potatoes and add the chicken broth.
4. Using an electric mixer, blend the potatoes until they're creamy.

For the Pesto

1. Combine the basil leaves, Parmesan cheese and garlic in a blender or food processor fitted with the metal blade and pulse until the leaves are minced finely.
2. Add the olive oil and pulse to blend, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 706Total Fat: 49gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 37gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 650mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 15g

theharvestkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate information, however, this nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. The nutritional information provided comes from online sources and calculations. See full disclaimer on About page.