What are some good ways of making instant potatoes not so boring?

Question

Not much of a cook, but I am getting sick of boring instant potatoes. What can I put in them to make them at least more bearable, if not fabulous?

Answer 1

cream cheese and chives are good or your favorite herb, or you could toss in some sour cream, or shredded cheese... there are a ton of things you can do with instant potatoes. I sometimes add some picante sauce to mine. That really kicks up the flavor

Answer 2

Most anything that would be good on a baked potato can make interesting additives to mashed potatoes, too. I've tried cheese and bacon bits with a little sour cream. In fact, I really enjoy baked potatoes and when I've been out of real potatoes, I've used mashed potatoes and just loaded them up with all the toppings. Probably not going to win any recipe contests, but at least it's not so boring.

Answer 3

I buy the Betty Crocker flavored instant mashed potatoes. They are really good without adding anything and they are not that expensive...They have sour cream and chives, garlic and butter, etc. They actually taste great and not at all bland like traditional instant potatoes.

Answer 4

Put in herbs and spices (chives are the usual, but use what you like) or cream cheese with herbs and spices, Alouette, or Boursin, or herb butter. Cheese and bacon bits, and/or sour cream.

Personally, I like the little pouches of Idahoan already-flavored instant potatoes. They're way better than the ones from the box. Don't know how. Maybe they have lard or crack or something in them. I like the herb ones and the 4-cheese. The "loaded" isn't that great--skip it. The plain butter kind is good, too. They're sold next to the Hungry Jack pouches, but they're better than Hungry Jack.

Answer 5

Chili Corn Mashed
2 Idaho® Potatoes, peeled and cubed, #80 ct. (22-24 oz.)
2 1/2 oz Unsalted butter
1/2 cup Milk
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 oz. Fresh corn kernels
2 tsp. Pure chile powder
1 tsp. Cilantro, chopped
1 tsp. Honey
Salt to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1.In saucepan, place potatoes with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 - 20 minutes, until tender. Drain thoroughly.
2.Meanwhile, in small skillet, melt butter in milk. Bring to boil; add garlic and corn. Reduce heat and let simmer 3 minutes. Sprinkle in chile powder.
3.Strain mixture, reserving corn separately from liquid. Place cooked potatoes in large mixing bowl.
4.With electric mixer, whip potatoes while drizzling in reserved liquid. When consistency is right, stir in the corn, cilantro and honey.
5.Season with salt.

Answer 6

Put bacon bits in ur potatoes ,taste great I can't stand the taste of instant potatoes so i started putting bacon bits in them

Answer 7

Microwave some carrots and mash them adding to your instant potatoes. Colorful, delicious, easy and quick

Answer 8

Onion Flakes

Answer 9

Add Shredded cheese

Answer 10

My family loved it when I added in sour cream and frozen onions. You can use garlic or all other manner of spices. Add cheese.