Can mashed potatoes be frozen?

[Ginnyfyr]

Hubby called me at work yesterday to tell me he was out at a friend's farm, and his friend had offered him "some" fresh broccoli and potatoes. Imagine my surprise when I arrived home to find 3 grocery bags overflowing with broccoli, and another 2 bags filled with potatoes! We have shared the bulk of it with our family and neighbours, and still have more than enough for ourselves.

I can think of a million ways to use up the broccoli, and am thinking of making a batch or two of garlic mashed potatoes to freeze for later. I've never frozen potatoes before though - is it "doable"? Should I try something different with them, something that might freeze better? Thanks for your help! :p

[sneezles]

While I've never done it I have read many recipes for doing it. All of the recipes use a combination of cream cheese and sour cream. Here's an example of one (which comes from a freezer meal cookbook):

*Exported from MasterCook *

Make Ahead Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Recipe By : Adapted from 30 Day Gourmet Freezer Manual
Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
5 pounds potatoes -- peel and quarter
1 egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons butter or margarine -- melted
1 teaspoon salt
8 ounces cream cheese -- softened

Place peeled and quartered potatoes in a sauce pan and cover completely with water. Bring to a boil then boil gently until potatoes are tender. Drain potatoes well.

In a large bowl, combine potatoes, cream cheese, egg, garlic powder and salt. Mash well with an electric mixer or by hand if you don't have one. Spoon potatoes into a (Pam) spray treated or greased 3 quart casserole or a 9 x 13 pan.

Drizzle or brush melted butter over potatoes. Refrigerate for up to 2 days or label and freeze for later. Freeze in a Ziploc Bag.

To serve: thaw completely. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes until the top is golden.

Options: 1/4 cup crumbled crisp bacon may be stirred in for great flavor. Potatoes may also be topped with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.

Source:
Adapted from "30 Day Gourmet Freezer Cooking Manual"

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Per serving: 397 Calories (kcal); 17g Total Fat; (38% calories from fat); 10g Protein; 53g Carbohydrate; 66mg Cholesterol; 419mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 3 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 3 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates

[Ginnyfyr]

Thank you - the recipe sounds tasty! I'm glad it included instructions for thawing as well...yay!

Time to start peeling, slicing and mashing! :)

[Lynn B]

Mashed potatoes MUST be quite "freezable"... just look at those frozen "TV dinners" out there! :D :D :D

Lynn