Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are such a great comfort food and you can prepare them so many ways. I've worked out my favorite recipe and then provided several options to try. Everything for this recipe is to taste except for the amount of potatoes. I usually use 2 1/2 lbs of potatoes or more at a time, but if you are cooking for a smaller family, cut that amount in half.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Small red potatoes, cleaned, skin on, cut into chunks
Mayonnaise to taste
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Salted Butter
Milk for thinning, if desired

In a large sauce pan, bring water to boil with a dash of salt.
Gently add potatoes to water (you can add them before the water begins to boil)
Turn heat to medium and let boil until potatoes are soft, check after 20 + minutes.
Drain water off of potatoes and return potatoes to pan.
Mash potatoes with a potato masher or hand mixer and add mayo, salt and pepper to taste and 1/4 stick butter. Beat to consistency you like, add milk if needed to thin. I use about a cup of mayo for 2 1/2 pounds of potatoes.

Variations:

You can use other kinds of potatoes, but I would remove skin from any other type

You can substitute buttermilk for the mayo and then use regular milk for thinning.

You can substitute milk for the mayo.

You don't have to add the butter, but why wouldn't you? :)