Mother’s Party Potatoes
You might think Party Potatoes are just for the holidays—and yes, they’ve shown up on our Christmas table more than once. But here in the South, this is also one of those classic “funeral foods”—comforting, familiar, and easy to make for a crowd.
I recently prepared a dish for a family a couple of weeks ago, and it reminded me just how special this recipe really is. It felt like the right time to share it again.
Party Potatoes (Still a Family Favorite!)
My mom passed away over 20 years ago, but her Party Potatoes have never left our table. Whether it’s a holiday, a family gathering, or just a regular Sunday dinner, this dish is one of our all-time go-tos.
They’re really just good old-fashioned creamed potatoes—with a little extra love on top. The cheese and chives might be the “party” part, but let’s be honest… they’re mostly for show. 😂 My grandkids aren’t fans of seeing “green specks” in their food, so sometimes we keep it plain and cheesy. Either way, it’s always a hit.
She always decorated the top of her Party Potatoes with perfectly placed triangles of American cheese. I’ve tried using both regular and white American for contrast, but once they melt, it all just blends together. I’ve often wondered if she added the cheese after baking, because hers always kept that neat, well-defined look. Funny enough, there’s no cheese actually in the potatoes—just a little cream cheese mixed in for that smooth, creamy texture.
🥔 Ingredients for Party Potatoes
Potatoes – red or white, peeled and cubed
Cream Cheese – for that rich, creamy texture
Butter – because, of course
Sour Cream – adds a little tang and extra creaminess
Salt & Pepper – to taste
Garlic Salt – just a hint for extra flavor
Paprika – for a touch of color on top (I like to used smoked paprika)
Optional: American cheese slices (for decorating the top)
🍽️ Preparation
Peel and quarter the potatoes (white or red—either works just fine). Cut them into smaller chunks if needed for quicker cooking. Cover with water and boil until they’re fork-tender. Once done, drain well.
Mash the potatoes or cream them with a mixer—I used my stand mixer for ease. Add in the cream cheese, sour cream, butter, and all your seasonings (reserve the paprika for the top).
Spoon the mixture into a prepared casserole dish. I used cooking spray in my Corningware dish—the same French White style my mom used for years. Her version had a lid, and I used to joke every time she brought it out that the lid was actually mine. Of course, she never gave it up. 😉
For the topping, place cheese slices (or shredded cheese) over the potatoes, then sprinkle with paprika. I also added a few chives for a little festive color—it was Christmas, after all! The kids didn’t even notice. Or if they did, they were kind enough not to say anything. 😂
🔥 Baking & Serving
Bake the Party Potatoes at 350°F for about 30 minutes until heated through. If you’d like a little extra color or crisp on top, switch the oven to broil for just a minute or two—keep a close eye so they don’t burn.
Leftovers (if you have any!) store well in the fridge and reheat beautifully. But honestly? Don’t be surprised if the dish is scraped clean by the end of dinner.
💛 A Note from the Heart
I think my mother would be pleased to know we’re still making her recipes. She was a wonderful cook—always open to trying new things, but her old standbys were everyone’s favorites.
Her Party Potatoes were definitely one of those dishes we came back to again and again. And we still do.
Party Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 lb Potatoes You can use red or white.
- ½ pint Sour Cream
- 8 oz Cream Cheese Soften at room temperature to avoid lumps
- ¼ tsp Pepper
- ⅛ tsp Garlic Salt Or garlic powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbs Butter Add more if you like.
- Dash Paprika I use smoked paprika
Instructions
- Wash and peel potatoes. White or red. Quarter or cut up smaller, cover with water and cook until fork tender.Remove from heat, drain, and mash. Or use an electric mixer. Beat until light and fluffy.Add in sour cream, cream cheese, butter, salt, pepper, and garlic salt.Spoon into a prepared casserole dish and bake at 350° for about 30 minutes.Turn to broil for a few minutes to lightly brown.Optional: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top, or cheese slices cut into triangles. Do this before placing under broiler if desired.Sprinkle paprika. Chives look pretty too!Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
