Hustle and bustle your way through the holidays with these dreamy mashed potato recipes!

We’re giving the classic mashed potato recipe a much needed upgrade with the help of a few key ingredients to make the taters shine: feisty jalapeño cheddar, finger-lickin’ sweet maple brown butter, and tangy lemon thyme. These may all be side dishes, but you better believe they’re going to steal the show.

1. Jalapeño Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Still as comforting as the dish we know and love, but with an extra kick.

Ingredients:

• 5-6 Red Potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
• 1/2 Cup Room Temperature Unsalted Butter, divided in half
• 5 Scallions, finely chopped
• 2 Jalapeños, finely chopped (with seeds removed for less heat)
• 3 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
• 1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions:

1. Add potatoes to a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil.
2. Let simmer until potato chunks can be easily pierced with a fork, 15-20 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
3. Meanwhile, prepare jalapeño mixture by adding half the butter to a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Once hot, add scallions, jalapeños, and garlic. Cook until fragrant, 3-5 minutes.
4. Add jalapeño mixture to potatoes along with remaining butter, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.
5. Use a potato masher to mash everything together until smooth and creamy.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then garnish with extra cheddar cheese and jalapeño slices, if desired.

2. Maple Brown Butter Sweet Potatoes

There’s something about the combination of maple syrup and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg that make this mashed potato dish feel like a big, autumnal hug.

Ingredients:

• 8-9 Sweet Potatoes (about 3 pounds), peeled and cut into cubes
• 6 Tablespoons Butter (3/4 Stick)
• 1/4 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
• 1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/8 Teaspoon Nutmeg
• 1/4 Cup Pecans
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Add potatoes to a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil.
2. Let simmer until potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork, 10-15 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
3. Use a potato masher to mash until smooth and creamy.
4. Add butter to a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Continue to cook until butter solids begin to brown, stirring often. Once it starts changing color and smells slightly caramel-like, remove from heat and pour into a separate bowl to stop the cooking.
5. Stir maple syrup into butter, then pour mixture into mashed sweet potatoes, reserving 1-2 tablespoons to drizzle over top.
6. Add cinnamon and nutmeg, then stir to combine.
7. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
8. Garnish with pecans and drizzle over remaining maple brown butter.

3. Lemon Thyme Mashed Purple Potatoes

Zesty + fragrant + creamy = guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It all adds up.

Ingredients:

• 4 Pounds Purple Potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
• 1 1/4 Sticks Room Temperature Unsalted Butter
• 4 Teaspoons Minced Fresh Thyme
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Zest
• 1 1/2 Cups Half and Half

Instructions:

1. Add potatoes to a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil.
2. Let simmer until potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork, 15-20 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
3. Use a potato masher to mash until smooth and creamy.
4. Heat half and half in a small saucepan over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Add to mashed potatoes.
5. Mix together butter, thyme, and lemon. Season with salt and pepper and mix into potatoes.
6. Top with extra lemon zest and a few sprigs thyme.

There you have it, folks!  What are your fave recipes?  Sound off in the comments!