Delicious, Creamy Mashed Potatoes

This recipe came from the fabulous Ree of Pioneer Woman. While I’ve always used Yukon Gold potatoes for my mashed potatoes recipe, I have never tried using cream cheese, but I can only say- WOW! Just make sure to NOT overmix or it'll result in a "gummy" texture. We paired this dish with Chicken Marbella, and it was a great accompaniment. The best part is that you can make this dish a few days ahead of time, and bake it in the oven day of!

Ingredients:
5-lb Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes (I used Yukon Gold)
1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) butter, plus a few Tbsp
8-oz package cream cheese, softened
½-3/4 cup Half & Half
½-1 tsp Lawry’s Seasoning Salt
½-1 tsp Black pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces that are generally the same size. (I cut mine into bite-sized pieces.)

3. Add cold water to a large pot, and then add the cut potatoes.
4. Bring to a boil, and cook for 30-35 minutes (mine took 15-17 minutes). When they’re cooked through, the fork should easily slide into the potatoes with no resistance, and the potatoes should almost- but not totally- fall apart.
5. Drain the potatoes in a large colander.
6. When the potatoes have finished draining, place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape before adding in the remaining ingredients- don't skip this step! It's important to "dry out" your potatoes, and don't overmix!

7. Turn off the stove and add the 1-1/2 sticks butter, cream cheese, and Half & Half.
8. Mash, Mash, Mash!
9. Add the Lawry’s salt and black pepper.
10. Stir well, and place in a medium sized baking dish. Top it off with a few pats of butter.
11. Bake the potatoes until the butter is melted and potatoes are warmed through.

Note: When making this dish 1-2 days in advance, take it out of the fridge 2-3 hours prior to serving time. Bake in 350 degree oven for approx. 20-30 minutes, or until warmed through.

Source: Pioneer Woman