Cheesy Smashed Potatoes

The trick is the microwave, so there’s no boiling. Crispy edges, soft in the middle, sharp cheddar on top.

Smashed potatoes with no pot of boiling water. I microwave them for 12 minutes, toss them in butter and spices, smash them flat, and bake them, then melt sharp cheddar on top at the end. I gave it an 8, and my wife gave it a 10.

Cheesy Smashed Potatoes

Potatoes microwaved instead of boiled, tossed in butter and spices, smashed, baked at 425°F (220°C), and finished with sharp cheddar.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 330

Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 lb (680 g) small Yukon Gold or red potatoes rinsed
• 4 tbsp (1/2 stick, 55 g) salted butter
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp oil for the glass
• 1 cup (about 115 g) shredded sharp cheddar

Method

 

1. Rinse the potatoes and leave them wet on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a wet paper towel and microwave for 12 minutes, until fork tender.
2. Put the butter in a bowl and add the hot potatoes, then the onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix until the butter melts and everything is coated.
3. Spread the potatoes on a parchment-covered regular sheet pan and smash each one with an oil-covered glass.
4. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 25 minutes.
5. Take them out, cover with the cheddar, and bake 3 more minutes.
6. Serve. Crispy edges, soft in the middle.

Notes

Leave the potatoes wet after rinsing and cover them with a wet paper towel so they steam in the microwave.

Toss them while they’re hot so the butter melts and coats them.

Nutrition per serving (1 of 4, estimate): 330 calories · Fat 19 g · Carbs 31 g · Fiber 3 g · Sugar 2 g · Protein 10 g · Sodium 300 mg. The oil for the glass isn’t counted (about 30 calories per serving if you use it all).