Mashed Potatoes Are More Flavorful When You Add This Gourmet Cheese

Mashed potatoes are a workhorse dinner side. Thanks to their scoopable nature and buttery flavor, they go with almost any main dish, from meatloaf to fried chicken. The dish is staple and dynamic, though it can also be a bit boring. That might sound harsh, but seriously, sometimes that ever-constant bowl of spuds can fade into the background of your dinner. So why not mix it up? And no, you needn't buy any new gadgets or gear. You need only a small wheel of Boursin cheese.

For the uninitiated, Boursin is a brand of soft, slightly crumbly cheese known for its creamy, sweet, mildly tangy, and fresh taste. It comes in small wheels, and includes various herbs and seasonings that help shape its flavor profile. This cheese is often used to spread on crackers or place on cheese boards, but it has also made its way into a few viral recipes, like easy, customizable pasta, and for good reason. It instantly brings creaminess and a savory zing to whatever it is added to, and this includes mashed potatoes.

The best part? It's super simple to execute. Just scoop your cheese into your mashed potatoes along with the butter and milk, then stir until combined. You can add as much or as little as you like. A whole package would be enough for four large Russets. But if you're a bit cautious about using it, or are simply making a single serve batch, you can start with a few tablespoons and taste as you go to see how you like it.

Beyond having a wonderfully creamy texture and a rich, milky character that instantly boosts mashed potatoes, Boursin also has the benefit of coming in different flavors, most of which would work beautifully in a bowl of mashed potatoes. Flavors such as Shallot & Chive, Cracked Black Pepper, and Garlic & Fine Herbs make for a wonderful but subtle savory addition to your standard mash. This is best if you don't want to stray too far from the beaten path. However, you can also go for a slightly different and more intense flavor, such as Rosemary & Black Garlic for a herbaceous, earthy, and umami note or Caramelized Onion for a hint of sweetness.

If you really want to play up your Boursin, you can add other ingredients to help emphasize its flavor profile. For example, if you use Cracked Black Pepper Boursin, you can mix in a bit of Pecorino Romano to make a creamy mash inspired by cacio e pepe. If you're using the Caramelized Onion flavor, mixing in some bacon can bring balance to the slight sweetness of the cheese. Really, you can't go wrong with any Boursin flavor, just maybe stay away from the more fruity ones like Blueberry & Meyer Lemon for this hack.