Love the spinach dip at restaurants like TGIFriday's and the Olive Garden? Make it at home with these easy-to-follow copycat recipes.

Boiled potatoes with sour cream, cream cheese, and butter topped with cheddar before a trip to the oven. The holy grail of mashed potatoes.
12 medium baking potatoes
1 package (8 ounce size) cream cheese, softened
1 container (8 ounce size) sour cream
8 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish.
Peel the potatoes and cut into quarters. Place them in a saucepan. Add enough water to to completely cover them and cook over medium-high heat for 20-25 minutes or until soft. Drain well.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked potatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, butter, garlic powder, and black pepper. Beat with a mixer until light and fluffy.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the shredded cheddar.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees F. Remove the foil then bake 15 minutes longer or until the cheese is bubbly.
Serve hot.
Try adding in herbs such as chives, parsley, or thyme for additional flavor.
For a crunchy topping, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter or use crispy fried onions and sprinkle over the mashed potatoes before baking.
To save time, leave the skins on the potatoes for added texture. Just make sure to scrub them well before boiling.
Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are typically the best for mashed potatoes as they have a high starch content, resulting in a creamier texture.
You can use any type of cheese you prefer or have on hand, such as Gruyere, Parmesan, or even blue cheese for a different flavor.
You can prepare the mashed potatoes ahead of time and store them covered in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, simply bring them to room temperature before baking.
You can use reduced-fat cream cheese, sour cream, and butter to make this recipe healthier. You can also add in some steamed cauliflower or sweet potatoes in place of some of the regular potatoes.
Mashed potatoes can be frozen, but the texture may change slightly upon reheating. To freeze, transfer the cooled mashed potatoes to a freezer-safe container, and when ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Use 1 finely minced clove of garlic for each 1/8th teaspoon of garlic powder. So, for this recipe as written you'll need 2 garlic cloves.
Potato Peeler: For peeling the potatoes before boiling.
Saucepan: To cook the potatoes over until soft.
Mixing Bowl: For combining the cooked potatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, butter, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Electric Mixer: To mix the ingredients until they are light and fluffy.
2-Quart Baking Dish: Greased and ready to hold the mashed potato mixture before topping with shredded cheddar cheese.
Foil: To cover the baking dish while baking in the oven.
Oven: To bake the mashed potato casserole.
Garlic Butter Steak: nothing says decadence like pairing rich, creamy mashed potatoes with a perfectly cooked steak.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken: double indulgence. Fried chicken and creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect combo.
Caramelized Onion Gravy: spooning some savory caramelized onion gravy over the mashed potatoes will take them to a whole new level of flavor.
Roast Beef: The rich, creamy goodness of these mashed potatoes pairs perfectly with a hearty roast beef.
Bacon Bits: Sprinkle some crispy bacon bits on top of these already decadent mashed potatoes to add a smoky, salty crunch that will take this dish from delicious to irresistible. Because everything is better with bacon, right?
Caramelized Onions: Add a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor by topping these mashed potatoes with some caramelized onions.
Wine Pairings
Chardonnay: A buttery Chardonnay can bring out the richness of the cream cheese and butter in these mashed potatoes. Look for one with a touch of oak to balance out the flavors and add a hint of complexity.
Pinot Grigio: If you prefer something lighter, a crisp Pinot Grigio can provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy texture of the potatoes. Its citrus notes can cut through the richness and cleanse your palate for the next bite.
Merlot: For those who enjoy red wine, a fruit-forward Merlot can be a surprisingly good match. Its soft tannins and plum flavors can complement the cheesy elements of the dish.
Other Alcohol Pairings
Whiskey Sour: The zesty citrus and smooth whiskey in a classic Whiskey Sour can be a fun accompaniment to these decadent mashed potatoes. The sharpness of the cocktail can cut through the creaminess and balance out the flavors.
Amber Ale: A malty Amber Ale can provide a toasty, caramel note that pairs beautifully with the cheesy and creamy components of the dish.
Moscow Mule: The refreshing combination of ginger beer, vodka, and lime in a Moscow Mule can serve as a palate cleanser and enhance the overall experience of the creamy mashed potatoes.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
Sparkling Water: Wanting to keep things light and bubbly? Sparkling water with a twist of citrus can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the mashed potatoes.
Iced Chai Latte: The warm spices in an iced chai latte can add an extra layer of flavor to the dish, enhancing the garlic powder and black pepper in the mashed potatoes.
Lemonade: A tangy glass of lemonade can cut through the richness of the cheese and cream in the mashed potatoes.
Love the spinach dip at restaurants like TGIFriday's and the Olive Garden? Make it at home with these easy-to-follow copycat recipes.
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reviews & comments
October 12, 2016
Very good easy to follow recipe.
September 8, 2014
Excellent recipe!! Potatoes are super creamy this way.
August 4, 2013
I make this recipe a lot but with one change. Instead of using regular sour cream I use sour cream and onion dip. Gives it a little extra flavor without having to do more work.
Just now followed this recipe for Easter Dinner...I haven't even baked them yet and they are already delicious!
December 25, 2012
This recipe rocks, i added some onion powder but overall it is now a new addition to our mashed potato recipe box!