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Quick Roasted Garlic Mashed Potato Graveyard

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A quick and easy Halloween side dish that combines creamy roasted garlic mashed potatoes with a spooky graveyard presentation. Ready in 25 minutes with only 7 ingredients, this recipe is both delicious and fun, perfect for Halloween parties or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4–5 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered)
  • 1 head of garlic
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil (for roasting the garlic)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream (warmed)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (start with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper)
  • 6–8 rectangular crackers (like Ritz or graham crackers, for tombstones)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder mixed with 1 teaspoon water (for ‘dirt’)
  • Fresh chives or parsley (optional, for ‘grass’)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil, wrap tightly in aluminum foil, and roast for 20-25 minutes until the cloves are soft and golden. Let cool, then squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a small bowl and mash with a fork into a paste.
  2. While the garlic roasts, place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water by about 2 inches. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 12-15 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender.
  3. Drain the potatoes in a colander, then return them to the hot pot for 30 seconds to steam off excess moisture.
  4. Add the softened butter and roasted garlic paste to the hot potatoes. Mash until the butter is melted and incorporated, leaving a few small lumps for texture.
  5. Pour in the warmed milk or cream gradually, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula. Add just enough to reach a creamy but stiff consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Spoon the mashed potatoes onto a serving platter in a mound shape. Use the back of a spoon to create gentle peaks and valleys. Sprinkle the cocoa powder mixture over the top to look like dirt.
  7. Press the rectangular crackers into the potato mound at slight angles to resemble tombstones. Sprinkle chopped chives or parsley around the base for grass. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Roast the garlic up to 3 days ahead and store in the fridge. For best texture, avoid over-mashing the potatoes and always warm the milk before adding. Add crackers just before serving to prevent sogginess. Leftover mashed potatoes (without crackers) keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween recipe, mashed potatoes, roasted garlic, graveyard, easy side dish, spooky, comfort food, quick recipe

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/quick-roasted-garlic-mashed-potato-graveyard-easy-halloween-recipe/