• Home
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Privacy & Disclosure
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact Me
  • All Recipes
    • Nerdy Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Main Courses
      • Chicken
      • Pasta
      • Soups
      • Salads
    • Beverages
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
      • Bars, Brownies & Blondies
      • Cookies
      • Cupcakes
    • Healthy
    • Easy Weeknight Meals
    • Holiday Recipes
      • Christmas
      • Valentine’s Day
  • Recipes for One
  • Recipes for Two
  • Small-batch Desserts

Baking Mischief

Good Food, Nerdy Recipes, Living Well

  • Breakfast
  • Main Courses
    • Easy Weeknight Meals
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Soups
    • Pasta
  • Desserts
    • Bars, Brownies & Blondies
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Frozen
  • Side Dishes
You are here: Home / Recipes / Mashed Potatoes for Two

Mashed Potatoes for Two

07/12/18 | Recipe for One, Recipe for Two, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian

5.2Kshares
Jump to Recipe

These Mashed Potatoes for Two couldn’t be simpler to make. You just need one medium to large potato (or a couple reds), some butter, cream or milk, and salt, and you’re 15 minutes away from an excellent small batch of mashed potatoes.

Mashed Potatoes for Two in a pot with a spoonful of potatoes scooped out.

Hey, friend. Super simple, super easy, super essential recipe post coming at you today: Mashed Potatoes for Two!

If you’ve ever gotten halfway through putting together a meal and realized your plate could really use some carbs, ever found a single sad potato at the back of your pantry cupboard, ever needed some comfort food on a solo or date night, this is the recipe for you.

You just need one medium to large potato or a couple reds, some butter, cream or milk, and salt, and you’re 15 minutes away from some excellent mashed potatoes that will serve one or two.

How to Make Mashed Potatoes for Two

Take a potato. This is a russet. You can use a Yukon gold or a couple of reds.

Mashed Potatoes for Two Photo Step 1: russet potato on a cutting board reading to be peeled and cut.

Peel and chop that thing.

Mashed Potatoes for Two Photo Step 2: chopped potatoes on a cutting board.

Then cover with cold water. Add enough salt to make it salty like the sea.

Mashed Potatoes for Two Photo Step 3: cold water being added to cubed potatoes.

Bring to a simmer and simmer for 8 to 12 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender. If you can crush a potato piece against the side of the pot with a fork, they’re done. Drain and add about a tablespoon of butter. More if you like a really buttery flavor, less if you don’t. And mash mash mash.

Mashed Potatoes for Two Photo Step 4: potatoes being mashed.

Then add a tablespoon of cream or milk and switch to a spoon.

Mashed Potatoes for Two Photo Step 5: cream being added to mashed potatoes.

Mix everything well and add more salt and some pepper. And taste. Want creamier potatoes? Add more liquid. Not buttery enough, add more butter.

Mashed Potatoes for Two Photo Step 6: finished mashed potatoes in a pot.

And that’s it. Top with a quick gravy or serve alongside something amazing (like Country-style Pork Ribs) and enjoy.

Mashed Potatoes for Two on a plate with ribs and green beans.

More Easy Potato Side Dishes

  • Microwave Mashed Potatoes
  • Crispy Smashed Potatoes
  • Homemade Cheese Fries
  • Italian Roasted Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes for Two Recipe Notes

  • If you make mashed potatoes more than once a year, I recommend buying a potato masher if you don’t already own one. They’re cheap and make mashing potatoes quick and easy. Plus you can use them to make Banana Pancakes or Chocolate Banana Muffins.
  • Looking for main dishes that go well with mashed potatoes? Try these Oven-baked Beef Ribs, Roasted Chicken, Tri-tip in the Oven, and Creamed Turkey.
Mashed Potatoes for Two on a plate with ribs and green beans.

Mashed Potatoes for Two

These Mashed Potatoes for Two couldn't be simpler to make. You just need one medium to large potato (or a couple reds), some butter, cream or milk, and salt, and you’re 15 minutes away from an excellent small batch of mashed potatoes.
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings (Hover or Click to Change Yield): 2 servings
Calories: 203kcal
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

Special Equipment

  • Potato masher

Mashed Potatoes for Two

  • 1 medium to large potato
  • Salt
  • 1 tablespoon (14g) butter
  • 1 tablespoon cream or milk
  • Pepper

Instructions

  • In a medium pot, cover potatoes with cold water and salt generously.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 to 12 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender. Remove from heat and drain.
  • Add butter to the potatoes and use a potato masher or fork to mash potatoes.
  • Add cream or milk and stir until incorporated. Add salt, pepper, and more cream or milk to taste.
  • Serve and enjoy.
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag @BakingMischief or hashtag it #BakingMischief.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them. There is absolutely no additional cost to you.

Comments | 7 comments

« Nutella Sauce for Ice Cream, Pancakes, or Waffles
Homemade Strawberry Milk Recipe »

Comments

  1. Jamie Cathleen says

    January 26, 2022 at 8:17 pm

    5 stars
    I used 2 tablespoons butter and 1 large potato with a bit of cream, a teaspoon sour cream and finishing salt.

    Reply
  2. Ashlee says

    December 8, 2020 at 5:27 pm

    5 stars
    The recipe was awesome. I thought that one potato wouldn’t have been enough, but it definitely was. I used three and had servings for around 4-6 people instead.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      December 8, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      So glad it worked out for you, Ashlee!!

      Reply
  3. Eric says

    November 26, 2020 at 9:41 pm

    Perfect for a solo 2020 Thanksgiving. Enjoyed every bit!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      November 27, 2020 at 9:51 am

      So glad to hear it, Eric!

      Reply
  4. Olivia Mills says

    November 4, 2020 at 5:12 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe! My mashed potatoes turned out perfect.

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      November 4, 2020 at 5:36 pm

      Thrilled to hear it!!

      Reply
5 from 9 votes (6 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome!


Hi, I'm Tracy! Welcome to Baking Mischief, where we realize that not everyone is cooking every night for a family of four. We have delicious sweet and savory recipes, mostly scaled for one or two, and we love our pop culture around here, so keep an eye out for film, book, and TV-inspired treats as well! Read more»
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Get free recipes delivered to your inbox!

Join the Baking Mischief Newsletter

Subscribe and get recipes delivered to your inbox weekly PLUS a free mini e-cookbook. 

Popular Recipes

Gooey Chocolate S’mores Cupcake with a bite out of it.No Fail Butter and Garlic Green Beans in a white dish.Pesto Chicken Sandwich on Sourdough being picked up.Chicken Shawarma With Yogurt Sauce wrapped in foil on a wooden plate.Easy Carnitas Recipe on a white plate with limes.The BEST Crispy Oven-roasted Broccoli on a baking sheet.

What I’m Loving Now

Small-batch Chocolate Banana Muffin with a bite out of it.Carnitas Enchiladas (Pulled Pork Enchiladas) on a plate with lettuce.Easy Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup in a pot.Easy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies stacked on a plate.

Copyright © 2025 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.