Crispy, Buttery Parmesan Smashed Potatoes You’ll Crave Forever

Parmesan smashed potatoes offer a tasty twist on regular potato dishes that takes this classic side to new heights.

People who love cooking and eating enjoy how this crispy, cheesy version turns simple potatoes into something special.

The method involves lightly pressing boiled potatoes and covering them with plenty of golden Parmesan cheese before roasting them to crunchy perfection.

These potatoes have a great mix of textures, with a crisp outside and a soft, creamy inside that feels wonderful in your mouth.

The rich flavors from the nutty Parmesan combined with perfectly seasoned potatoes create an irresistible side dish for many meals.

Not only do these smashed potatoes look impressive on the plate, but they also provide a satisfying crunch and bold taste that make them popular at any meal gathering.

Why Parmesan Smashed Potatoes Always Win Hearts

• Quick Kitchen Magic: Transforms basic potatoes into a gourmet side dish in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality flavor.
• Foolproof Technique: Requires minimal cooking skills with straightforward steps anyone can master, making it ideal for kitchen beginners or experienced chefs alike.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Pairs beautifully with roasted meats, grilled vegetables, or stands alone as a delicious comfort food that appeals to all ages and tastes.
• Budget-Friendly Elegance: Uses simple, affordable ingredients to create a luxurious side dish that looks and tastes more expensive than its humble components.

Ingredients Needed For Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

• Russet Potatoes, Red Potatoes: Hearty base for smashing, with russet being starchier and red potatoes staying firmer when cooked.

• Parmigiano-Reggiano, Butter: Rich, salty cheese adds depth and creamy butter provides smooth texture, choose high-quality imported Parmigiano for best flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Fresh Chives: Essential flavor enhancers, with salt bringing out potato's natural taste, black pepper adding warmth, and chives providing fresh, mild onion-like garnish.

Parmesan Smashed Potatoes Quick Prep Guide

Step 1: Boil Potato Goodness

Fill a big pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Toss in whole potatoes and let them dance in boiling water until super soft when poked with a fork (about 15 minutes).

Step 2: Transfer Potato Treasures

Scoop out potatoes using a slotted spoon into a wide serving bowl. Sneakily save some hot cooking water on the side.

Step 3: Flavor Explosion Prep

• Butter
• Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Smash and Blend

Dive in with a fork and start crushing those potatoes. Splash in small amounts of reserved cooking water to create a creamy texture. Keep mashing and blending until potatoes look irresistibly smooth.

Step 5: Taste and Adjust

Take a bite and sprinkle extra salt or pepper if needed. Trust your taste buds to make it perfect.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Shower potatoes with freshly chopped chives if you’re feeling fancy. Serve immediately while warm and incredibly tempting.

Pro Tip: For extra richness, use room temperature butter that melts instantly into the potatoes.

Tips To Get Parmesan Smashed Potatoes Just Right

• Boost Potato Texture: Smash potatoes gently with a fork for a rustic, creamy consistency without turning them into mashed potatoes.
• Save Starchy Liquid: Reserve potato cooking water to help create a silky, smooth texture and enhance flavor when mixing ingredients.
• Choose Cheese Wisely: Use authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano for a rich, nutty taste that elevates the overall dish quality.
• Control Creaminess: Add reserved cooking water gradually to control the potato's moisture level and achieve your perfect texture.
• Serve Fresh and Hot: Enjoy the potatoes immediately after preparation to maintain their crispy edges and optimal temperature.

How To Keep Parmesan Smashed Potatoes Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftover smashed potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping them fresh and tasty.
• Reheat in Oven: Spread potatoes on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to maintain their crispy edges.
• Microwave Option: Place potatoes in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of milk or butter, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Revive Texture: If potatoes seem dry, mix in a little extra butter or grated Parmesan cheese while reheating to restore moisture and flavor.

Perfect Pairings For Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

• Sip Crisp Chardonnay: Light, buttery white wine complements the creamy potato's richness and parmesan's sharp flavor, creating a balanced taste experience.
• Grill Herb-Crusted Chicken: Tender, seasoned chicken provides a lean protein contrast to the indulgent potatoes, enhancing the overall meal's texture and depth.
• Roast Garlic Rosemary Lamb Chops: Robust, aromatic lamb delivers a luxurious protein that matches the potato's intense parmesan character, elevating the dining sensation.
• Serve Fresh Arugula Salad: Peppery greens with lemon vinaigrette cut through the potatoes' richness, adding a bright, refreshing element to balance the creamy dish.

Fun Ways To Change Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

• Herb-Infused Potatoes: Replace Parmigiano-Reggiano with a blend of fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley for an aromatic variation.
• Vegan Creamy Smash: Swap butter with olive oil and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to create a dairy-free alternative.
• Garlic Lovers' Version: Add roasted garlic cloves or garlic powder to intensify the flavor profile and create a more robust side dish.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets for a lighter, keto-friendly version that maintains a similar texture and preparation method.

Parmesan Smashed Potatoes Questions Answered

• Can I use other types of potatoes?

Yes, baby red potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes work great. Just ensure they’re similar in size for even cooking.

• How coarse or smooth should I smash the potatoes?

Aim for a rustic, slightly chunky texture. Use a fork to gently press and break the potatoes, leaving some pieces intact for a varied texture.

• Do I need to peel the potatoes before cooking?

No, keep the skin on. Unpeeled potatoes add extra flavor, texture, and nutrition to the dish. Just wash them thoroughly before boiling.

• Can I make these potatoes ahead of time?

While best served immediately, you can prepare them earlier and reheat gently in the oven or microwave. Add a splash of extra butter or cooking water to restore creaminess when reheating.

Crispy Parmesan Smashed Potatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy golden Parmesan Smashed Potatoes create a symphony of textures with their perfectly crunchy exterior and creamy interior. Cheese lovers will savor each bite of this irresistible side dish that elevates simple potatoes into a culinary masterpiece you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) baby red potatoes, halved
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Butter and Seasoning:

• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Garnish:

• 1 teaspoon fresh chives, finely chopped (optional)

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Instructions

1. Fill a spacious pot with generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil.
2. Gently lower whole potatoes into the bubbling water, allowing them to simmer until they yield effortlessly when pierced with a utensil, approximately 15 minutes.
3. Carefully extract potatoes using a perforated utensil, transferring them to a wide, shallow vessel while preserving roughly half a cup of the starchy liquid.
4. Introduce rich, melted butter to the tender potatoes, creating a luxurious base.
5. Shower the potatoes with finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, distributing the cheese evenly across the surface.
6. Incorporate freshly ground black pepper and salt, ensuring balanced seasoning.
7. Employ a robust fork to methodically crush and break down the potatoes, creating a rustic, uneven texture.
8. Gradually introduce the reserved cooking liquid, stirring and incorporating until achieving a creamy, yet slightly chunky consistency.
9. Taste the mixture, adjusting seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed.
10. Garnish with delicately chopped fresh chives, providing a subtle herbaceous brightness.
11. Serve immediately while the potatoes remain piping hot and gloriously textured.

Notes

• Opt for small, waxy potatoes like baby reds or fingerlings for the best texture and even cooking.
• Ensure potatoes are completely dry after boiling to achieve a crispy exterior when smashing.
• Add extra flavor by infusing the boiling water with garlic cloves or herbs like rosemary during cooking.
• For a lighter version, substitute half the butter with olive oil or use a reduced-fat Parmesan cheese alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 260 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg