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My Roasted Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes are creamy and velvety with just the right amount of roasted garlic richness and parmesan tang. The milk is infused with rosemary and thyme, giving these potatoes an herby aroma that feels straight out of a fancy steakhouse.
They’re easy to make, beautifully balanced, and pair with literally everything — turkey, roast chicken, salmon, and steak.

❤️ Why You’ll Love Roasted Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
Because they’re proof that something as simple as potatoes can feel special. You’ll love them because:
- The roasted garlic melts right into the potatoes, giving them sweet, mellow depth.
- The Parmigiano Reggiano adds umami and creaminess without feeling heavy.
- The infused milk with rosemary and thyme makes them smell like a five-star kitchen.
- They reheat beautifully — perfect for holidays or make-ahead dinners.
Plus, they’re the kind of side dish that makes people say, “Wait, what did you put in these?”

🍲 Ingredients
When it comes to these Roasted Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, quality ingredients make all the difference. Here’s why each one matters:
🥔 Yukon Gold Potatoes — I love these for their naturally buttery texture and golden hue. They make the creamiest mashed potatoes without needing to peel them first.
🧄 Garlic Bulbs — Roasting garlic transforms it from sharp and pungent to sweet, nutty, and spreadable. It’s what gives this mash that deep, irresistible flavor.
🧈 Unsalted Butter — Use the good stuff, and make sure it’s room temperature so it melts seamlessly into the potatoes.
🥛 Whole Milk & Heavy Cream — The combo creates that luscious, rich consistency. We’re not doing diet mashed potatoes here — we’re doing memorable mashed potatoes.
🌿 Rosemary & Thyme — Simmered in the milk to infuse subtle, earthy flavor without overpowering the garlic and cheese.
🧀 Parmigiano Reggiano — The star of the show. It adds saltiness, nuttiness, and that “I can’t stop eating these” factor.
🌿 Parsley — For freshness and a pop of color at the end.
👩🍳 How to Make Roasted Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
Roast the garlic. Preheat your oven to 400°F, slice the tops off two heads of garlic, wrap them in foil, and roast for about 40 minutes until the cloves are golden and buttery soft.
Boil the potatoes. While the garlic roasts, gently rinse your Yukon gold potatoes and place them in a large pot. Add enough water to cover them and salt the water generously (think pasta water salty). Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork — about 45 to 60 minutes depending on size.
Peel the Potatoes. Once cooked, let them cool slightly, then peel off the skins (they’ll slide right off). Pass the potatoes through a ricer or food mill into a large bowl for the smoothest texture.
👉 Pro tip: Skip the blender or food processor — they’ll overwork the starches and turn your mash into glue. We want creamy, not elastic.
Put it all together. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves right into the potatoes. Add one cup of grated Parmigiano Reggiano, about 1½ teaspoons of salt, a generous grind of black pepper, and your butter.



In a saucepan, combine the milk, heavy cream, rosemary, and thyme. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Remove the herbs and pour the warm, infused milk mixture over the potatoes.
Mash everything together until creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Then, top with the remaining Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley before serving.
The result? Silky, golden potatoes that smell like comfort and taste like luxury.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Always start your potatoes in room-temperature water so they cook evenly.
- Boiling the potatoes with the skin on prevents them from getting waterlogged.
- Never use a blender or food processor to mash your potatoes, that make your potatoes gummy
- Warm milk and room-temperature butter blend better and keep the potatoes from seizing.
- For a little texture, leave some small chunks — rustic style is totally in.
🗒 Variations
- Stir in a spoonful of sour cream for tang.
- Swap herbs — sage or chives work beautifully.
- Drizzle with brown butter before serving for a nutty finish.
- Make a lighter mash, by cutting down on the potatoes and add boiled cauliflower.
🗒 Substitutions
- If you don’t have Yukon Golds, russets work great.
- Dairy-free? Use vegan butter and oat milk — it still comes out creamy.
- Out of Parmigiano Reggiano? Grana Padano or pecorino are great swaps.
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👝 How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover Roasted Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes in an airtight container for up to four days in the fridge. When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream and warm slowly over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until smooth again.
🤔 Common Questions
Can I make these ahead?
Absolutely! Make them up to two days in advance, then reheat gently with a splash of cream before serving.
Can I roast the garlic ahead of time?
Yes — roasted garlic keeps in the fridge for up to a week or can be frozen for a month.
Can I make them lighter?
Sure, you can cut the butter and cream in half, but they won’t be quite as indulgent. Maybe just eat a smaller scoop instead. 😉

Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
Equipment
- 1 ricer or food mill
Ingredients
- 6 large Yukon gold potatoes
- 2 garlic bulbs
- 1½ cups Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- pepper to taste
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 rosemary, sprigs
- 2 thyme, sprigs
- 2 tbsp parsley
Instructions
- Roast the garlic. Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cut the tops off of 2 heads of garlic. Wrap in aluminum foil and roast for 40 minutes
- Gently rinse the potatoes and place them in a large pot. Add enough water to submerge the potatoes completely.
- Add salt generously to the water and bring it to a boil. Boil the potatoes with their skins on until they are easily pierced with a fork. This could take up to an hour.
- Let the potatoes cool, then peel off the skin. The skin should easily peel off.
- Pass the potato through a ricer, food mill, or sieve.
- Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the pot with the potatoes. Add one cup of grated Parmigiano Reggiano, 1½ teaspoons salt, pepper, and butter
- To a saucepan, add milk, rosemary, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and let simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes.
- Remove the sprigs of rosemary & thyme, then pour the warm milk over the potatoes.
- Use a potato masher to mash and mix the ingredients
- Top with remaining grated parm and parsley
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.










