Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onion

Recipe:

Ingredient Notes:

• Potatoes. For the fluffiest, non-sticky mash, choose high-starch potatoes. In the US and Canada, the gold standard is the Russet (often called Idaho potatoes). Another excellent option is Yukon Gold – while slightly less starchy than Russets, they provide a naturally buttery flavor and a beautiful golden hue. Avoid “waxy” red or white potatoes, as they tend to become gummy when mashed.
• Butter. Use unsalted butter with at least 82% fat content. For the best texture, let the butter sit at room temperature before adding it to the mash.
• Cheese. Any semi-hard cheese works perfectly here. You can choose a milder or a sharper cheese depending on your personal preference. Here are some great options, ranging from subtle to bold:
  • Mild & Creamy: Monterey Jack, Edam, or Mozzarella (low-moisture) are perfect if you want a subtle buttery taste and a great melt.
  • Balanced & Classic: Gouda, Emmental, or Colby provide a wonderful middle ground with a gentle nutty flavor.
  • Sharp & Bold: If you prefer a more intense cheese flavor, go for a Sharp Cheddar or Gruyère.
• Onions. I usually use regular yellow onions. However, white onions are also a great choice – they tend to be sweeter and caramelize faster during frying.
• Garlic. In this recipe, garlic is added raw for the most intense, punchy aroma. If you prefer a more subtle flavor, add the minced garlic to the onions at the very end of frying. The heat will mellow it out and make the taste more delicate.

Let’s start cooking!

Cut the potatoes into pieces and boil them in salted water until tender.

While the potatoes are cooking, grate the cheese with a coarse grater.

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté it, stirring occasionally, until caramelized. It should look like this:

Mash the cooked potatoes into a purée with butter. I use a kitchen machine with a whisk attachment for this.

Add the cheese, onion, and finely grated garlic.

Mix well. Serve.

Enjoy!

This Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onion recipe was checked, prepared and approved by Chef Tatyana Nazaruk - author of FlavorIt.com.
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