Pesto Mashed Potatoes
These are not your traditional mashed potatoes! The addition of pesto and Parmesan cheese transform plain potatoes into Pesto Mashed Potatoes packed with flavor.
Sometimes it’s fun to jazz up an old favorite. Of course in our house mashed potatoes aren’t hugely popular with anyone but me. Being Hawaiian I grew up having rice all the time, having potatoes was always exciting. My hubby grew up having potatoes all the time and now all he ever wants is rice.
So I’ve taken to spicing up the old potato classics to make them more appealing to my little clan. The Lemon Pepper Potato Wedges were a huge success so I figured taking a flavor my family loves like pesto and adding it to the potatoes.
Ingredients you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 lbs potatoes, chopped
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 1 cup pesto
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
You can use store bought pesto or you can make your own homemade kale pesto or if you need a nut free version try this sunflower seed pesto.
How to make pesto mashed potatoes:
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Cook potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water. Cook for about 15 minutes or until a fork easily pierces the potato piece.
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Use a potato masher and break up all of the potato pieces. Add milk and pesto and mix to combine. If needed, continue using the potato masher to create a smooth mixture.
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Top with shredded Parmesan cheese.
If you’re really busy, you can cook the potatoes in your slow cooker to help simplify dinner time prep.
What to eat with pesto mashed potatoes?
The Pesto Mashed Potatoes were a great addition to a simple rotisserie chicken or Tuscan Style Ribs, Breadmaker Garlic Bread and apple bacon goat cheese salad.
And the leftover mashed potatoes were used to make some delectable Pesto Tuna Cakes. I love when one dish can get reused to make a second dish. No leftovers to be forgotten in the fridge!
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Other recipes you might like:
- Honey Glazed Carrots
- Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
- Slow Cooker Balsamic Garlic Pork Roast
- Mango and Mandarin Orange Salad
Pesto Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs potatoes like Yukon gold or russet potatoes, chopped
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 1 cup pesto
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
- Cook potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water. Cook for about 15 minutes or until a fork easily pierces the potato piece.
- Use a potato masher and break up all of the potato pieces. Add milk and pesto and mix to combine. If needed, continue using the potato masher to create a smooth mixture.
- Top with shredded parmesan cheese.
I have never tried to make my mashed potatoes like this – I think my family (and me) would LOVE this! Pinning.
I feel silly for not trying it before. If you like pesto I think you will love these potatoes.
This looks so good. I love a good Pesto dish. I also love a good potato dish. This is a great idea.
Great idea Jade! I never thought of combining pesto (which I love) and potatoes (which I also love).
Thanks Denise! I love combining my favorite flavors together into a new dish.
I love pesto! We keep it in the refrig all the time. I am going to have to give these a try. I like your idea of having it with roast chicken. Yum.
I try to always have pesto on hand. It adds fantastic flavor to so many different dishes.
I have never had pesto in my potatoes before but your recipe looks delicious.
I’ve had it on roasted potatoes before and loved it so figured why not mashed?
Awesome! I can’t wait to give this a try!
Thanks Teri!
Yum, what a great idea to add pesto to mashed potatoes. I would definitely be on the potato side of your battle, even though I grew up eating them. I never get tired of potatoes!
I’m so glad to know I am not alone in this battle!
OH MY GOSH!!! I love pesto but have never thought to add it to my potatoes! I have to give your recipe a try. THANKS!
I’m sure you’ll love them Michele!
WOW. These look so good. I’m from the south and we love ANY kind of mashed potatoes. Can’t wait to try.
When we lived in the south I was so happy everyone served potatoes. I was a happy camper. Lol.
I haven’t ever tried pesto mashed potatoes before. It looks like a recipe my family would really like.
Pinned!
Thanks Meegan! I hope your family loves them like mine did.
Pesto PLUS potatoes? Oh my! How can you go wrong?
Thanks so much Kim!