Have you discovered the magic of Boursin cheese yet? For many years, my experience with this delightful Gournay cheese was limited to spreading it on crackers or a fresh baguette. However, in recent times, I’ve been captivated by the culinary possibilities of incorporating Boursin into a variety of dishes. The beauty of Boursin lies in its versatility: virtually anywhere you might consider using cream cheese, you can elevate your dish by swapping it for this savory, soft, and richly flavored cheese instead.

After receiving rave reviews for my Baked Boursin Pasta, I couldn’t wait to share another incredible Boursin creation: these amazing Boursin potatoes! If you appreciate easy recipes that deliver a gourmet taste, making it seem like you’ve toiled in the kitchen for hours, then you are absolutely going to adore this one. It’s truly a secret weapon for effortlessly impressive meals.

These perfectly smooth and incredibly flavorful mashed potatoes have quickly ascended to the top of my family’s “most requested recipes” list. Their irresistible creaminess and herbaceous notes make them an instant hit. I have no doubt that you and your loved ones will fall in love with them just as much as we have! Get ready to transform your understanding of what mashed potatoes can be.

Why You’ll Adore These Boursin Mashed Potatoes

This recipe isn’t just another side dish; it’s an experience. Here are compelling reasons why these Boursin Mashed Potatoes will become a staple in your kitchen:

1. Perfect for Any Occasion, Especially Holidays. Whether you’re planning an elaborate holiday feast for Christmas or Thanksgiving, hosting a special Sunday dinner, or enjoying an intimate at-home date night, these mashed potatoes with Boursin cheese are the ideal accompaniment. Their luxurious texture and sophisticated flavor elevate any meal, making it feel extra special without extra effort.
2. Surprisingly Simple Ingredients. Despite their incredibly gourmet taste, this recipe calls for a surprisingly short list of common ingredients. Beyond the star, Boursin cheese itself, you’ll find pantry staples like potatoes, butter, and cream. This simplicity ensures that you can whip up this decadent side dish with minimal fuss.
3. A Guaranteed Family Favorite. Rest assured, this recipe has been rigorously tested and enthusiastically approved by even the pickiest eaters in my home – including toddlers! Its creamy texture and mild, savory flavor make it universally appealing, ensuring it will be a hit with everyone around your table.
4. Unbelievably Creamy and Smooth. If your definition of the best mashed potatoes involves an ultra-creamy, velvety smooth texture, then prepare to be utterly obsessed with this recipe. The combination of heavy cream, butter, and melting Boursin cheese creates a consistency that is rich, luscious, and simply melts in your mouth.
5. Easy to Make with Minimal Effort. Don’t let the decadent taste fool you; these mashed potatoes are incredibly easy to prepare. With straightforward steps and common kitchen equipment, you can achieve restaurant-quality results in your own home, even on a busy weeknight.

Essential Ingredients for Decadent Boursin Mashed Potatoes

Creating these sensational mashed potatoes requires just a few key components. Each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving that perfect creamy texture and incredible flavor profile.

• Potatoes: For the ultimate fluffy and creamy mashed potatoes, I highly recommend using russet potatoes. Their high starch content and low moisture make them ideal for mashing, ensuring a light and airy texture. Other excellent choices include Yukon gold potatoes (which offer a naturally buttery flavor and creamy texture) or red potatoes (which can be left unpeeled for added rustic charm and nutrients).
• Boursin Cheese: This is the star of our dish! You can select any flavor of Boursin that appeals to you. My personal favorite is the classic Garlic & Fine Herbs flavor, which imparts a wonderfully savory, aromatic, and tangy note. However, Boursin offers a delightful array of options, including cranberry, black truffle, caramelized onion, and more. Feel free to experiment and find your favorite!
• Butter: A touch of butter adds richness and contributes to the overall luxurious mouthfeel. While Boursin and heavy cream provide ample fat and flavor, a little extra butter ensures that classic mashed potato indulgence. Both salted and unsalted butter work well; just adjust the added salt accordingly.
• Heavy Cream (or Milk): This is the secret to achieving that impossibly silky and smooth texture. Heavy cream adds richness and helps to bind all the ingredients together beautifully. If you’re looking for a slightly lighter option or simply using what you have on hand, whole milk or half-and-half can be successfully substituted, though they will yield a slightly less rich result.
• Salt & Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors. Start with the recommended small amount, then taste and adjust to your personal preference. Freshly ground black pepper adds a lovely subtle spice.

Recommended Equipment

Having the right tools can make all the difference in achieving perfectly smooth and creamy mashed potatoes:

• Large Pot: A sturdy, large pot is crucial for boiling the potatoes evenly. You’ll need one big enough to comfortably hold 2 ½ pounds of potatoes without overcrowding. I find an Amazon Basics 6 Quart Dutch Oven works perfectly, offering ample space for cooking and mashing.
• Potato Masher: For a delightful texture, a good potato masher is key. I recently upgraded to this OXO potato masher and absolutely love how efficiently it breaks down the cooked potatoes. For the ultimate smooth, lump-free result, a potato ricer is the gold standard, but a masher is often more practical for everyday use.
• Silicone Spatula: An essential tool for stirring, scraping down the sides of the pot, and thoroughly incorporating all ingredients for that perfect creamy consistency. I rely on this one from OXO for its durability and flexibility.
• Colander: For safely and efficiently draining the cooked potatoes.

• Incorporate Boursin: Finally, add a regular-sized round (150g or 5.2oz) of Boursin cheese to the pot. For quicker melting, you can break it into 4-6 smaller pieces. The residual heat from the potatoes will gently melt the Boursin, infusing the entire dish with its incredible flavor.

• Final Mix and Serve: Stir everything exceptionally well to fully incorporate the creamy Boursin cheese as it melts. Continue mixing until the potatoes are smooth, velvety, and uniformly flavored. Taste and adjust any seasonings as needed. Serve immediately with an extra pat of butter on top and a sprinkle of chopped fresh chives, if desired, for an elegant finish.

Top Tip for Ultra-Smooth Mashed Potatoes: For an exceptionally smooth, restaurant-quality texture with absolutely no lumps, use a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to blend everything together after adding the cream and Boursin. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the potatoes gummy. Mix just until smooth and creamy.

Instant Pot Method: Quick and Easy Boursin Mashed Potatoes

Short on time? Your Instant Pot is a fantastic tool for making these creamy Boursin Mashed Potatoes even faster! Here’s how:

1. Prepare Potatoes: Peel and cut your potatoes into uniform slices (¾-inch) or cubes (1-inch). Place them into your Instant Pot with 2 cups of water.
2. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure. Cook potato slices for 8 minutes or potato cubes for 6 minutes.
3. Quick Release and Drain: Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick pressure release. Carefully remove the lid and drain the potatoes thoroughly using a colander.
4. Mash and Dry: Return the drained potatoes to the Instant Pot. Select the “Saute” function (on low if available). Add the butter and mash the potatoes over the residual heat. This step helps evaporate any remaining moisture and incorporates the butter, just like the stovetop method. Continue mashing for 1-2 minutes until most steam has escaped.
5. Finish and Serve: Turn off the Instant Pot. Add the Boursin cheese (broken into pieces), heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the cheese is melted and fully incorporated, and the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Serve immediately, garnished with additional butter and chives if desired.

Storing and Reheating Your Creamy Boursin Mashed Potatoes

These decadent mashed potatoes are so good, you might not have any leftovers! But if you do, here’s how to properly store and reheat them to maintain their deliciousness:

• Storing Leftovers: Any remaining Boursin mashed potatoes should be transferred to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The high fat content from the butter, cream, and Boursin helps them maintain their texture better than traditional mashed potatoes.
• Microwave Reheating: For quick individual portions, place the desired amount in a microwave-safe dish. Reheat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through. You may want to add a splash of milk or cream and a small pat of butter before reheating to restore some moisture and creaminess.
• Oven Reheating: For larger portions or to achieve a slightly crispy top, transfer the mashed potatoes to an oven-safe baking dish. For best results, stir in a few tablespoons of milk or cream and top with a few extra slices of butter before baking. Cover with foil to prevent drying out, then heat at 350ºF (177ºC) for 15-30 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed and bubbly. Remove foil for the last 5-10 minutes if you desire a golden crust.

Make-Ahead Tips for Stress-Free Serving

These Boursin mashed potatoes are an excellent candidate for make-ahead preparation, making them perfect for busy holidays or entertaining. The generous fat content helps them hold up beautifully to reheating, surpassing many traditional mashed potato recipes in terms of texture retention.

1. Prepare as Directed: Follow the recipe instructions precisely to prepare your Boursin mashed potatoes.
2. Transfer to Baking Dish: Once fully prepared, spread the mashed potatoes evenly into a deep 8×8-inch (20x20cm) baking dish. If you’re doubling the recipe for a larger gathering, a 9×13-inch (23x33cm) baking dish will be more suitable.
3. Cool and Top: Allow the mashed potatoes to cool completely to room temperature. This step is crucial before refrigeration. Once cool, top the surface with additional thin slices of butter. This creates a protective layer and adds moisture during reheating.
4. Wrap and Refrigerate: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil to prevent any air exposure. Refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
5. Reheat for Serving: When ready to serve, preheat your oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Place the covered baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are hot throughout and bubbling around the edges. For a golden crust, you can remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking.

Top Tip for Reheating Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes: To prevent temperature shock that could potentially crack your ceramic or glass baking dish, allow the refrigerated dish to sit at room temperature for about 1 hour before placing it in a preheated oven. Alternatively, you can place the cold baking dish directly into a cold oven and allow both the oven and the potatoes to warm up together during the preheating process. This gradual temperature change is much gentler on your bakeware.

Delicious Variations to Customize Your Boursin Mashed Potatoes

While the classic Boursin mashed potatoes are undeniably perfect, don’t hesitate to experiment with these exciting variations to tailor the dish to your taste or occasion:

• With Buttermilk for a Tangy Twist: If you appreciate a brighter, slightly tangy flavor profile, consider substituting a portion or all of the heavy cream with buttermilk. The subtle acidity of buttermilk adds a wonderful zest that beautifully complements the richness of the Boursin.
• Loaded Mashed Potatoes: Transform this side dish into a hearty, comforting meal by making it “loaded.” After mashing, top the finished potatoes generously with crispy cooked bacon crumbles, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, and a dollop of sour cream (or even more Boursin for extra richness!). Fresh green onions or chives make a perfect garnish.
• Extra Garlic Infusion: For garlic lovers, elevate the garlic flavor even further by adding some smashed roasted garlic cloves to the potatoes before mashing. Roasting the garlic mellows its intensity and brings out a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs exquisitely with Boursin.
• Experiment with Different Boursin Flavors: As mentioned, Boursin comes in a delightful array of flavors. While Garlic & Fine Herbs is a classic for a reason, don’t shy away from trying others! Imagine the subtle sweetness of Caramelized Onion Boursin, the earthy notes of Black Truffle Boursin, or even the unique Cranberry & Pepper Boursin for a festive holiday twist. Each flavor will impart a distinct character to your mashed potatoes.
• Herbaceous Boost: Incorporate additional fresh herbs like finely chopped parsley, dill, or thyme along with the Boursin for an even more vibrant and aromatic side dish.
• Cheesy Deluxe: Stir in a half-cup of grated Parmesan or Gruyere cheese along with the Boursin for an extra layer of cheesy goodness and a more complex flavor profile.

Handy Substitutions for Your Boursin Mashed Potatoes

Life happens, and sometimes you don’t have every ingredient on hand. Here are some reliable substitutions to ensure you can still enjoy a fantastic batch of creamy mashed potatoes:

• Boursin Cheese: If Boursin is unavailable, you can substitute it with 4 ounces of plain or garlic-and-herb cream cheese for a similar creamy texture, though the flavor will be slightly different. Other good alternatives include sour cream, full-fat Greek yogurt (for a tangier profile), or any other soft, spreadable cheese with a savory flavor. Consider adding a pinch of garlic powder and dried herbs if using plain cream cheese.
• Heavy Cream: This can be easily swapped for whole milk, half-and-half, or even canned full-fat coconut milk (for a subtle, almost undetectable, tropical richness and dairy-free option). Note that using lighter milk will result in a slightly less rich and creamy final product.
• Dairy-Free Option: To make this recipe completely dairy-free, simply use the excellent dairy-free Boursin alternative, or your favorite brand of dairy-free cream cheese. Replace the butter with a high-quality vegan butter substitute, and swap the heavy whipping cream for a dairy-free cream (like cashew cream, oat milk creamer, or full-fat canned coconut milk). Ensure all other ingredients like broth (if using any in other potato recipes) are also dairy-free.
• Potatoes: While russets are preferred, Yukon gold or red potatoes work wonderfully. For a quicker option, instant mashed potato flakes can be used in a pinch, though the texture and flavor won’t be as superior as fresh potatoes.