Mexican Mashed Potatoes: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Dish
Swift Potato Dish from Mexico for Time-Crunched Households
Say goodbye to boring mashed potatoes! This easy recipe transforms store-bought potatoes into a flavor-packed Mexican-style dish that'll turn your weeknight dinners into fiestas. Customize the heat level to your liking and enjoy a new twist on a classic side.
This recipe incorporates the flavors of Mexico with store-bought mashed potatoes, chipotles, cumin, sour cream, chili powder, cheese, and scallions. It's all about flexibility – tweak the heat level to suit your taste buds.
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 24 oz store-bought mashed potatoes (a 2-pound bag)
 - 1-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (depending on desired heat level, mince them)
 - 1 tsp ground cumin
 - 1 tsp chili powder
 - 1/2 cup sour cream
 - 1/2 cup grated cheese (Cheddar or Monterey Jack work well)
 - 2 tbsp chopped scallions
 - Salt and pepper to taste
 
Instructions
- Prepare the Mashed Potatoes:
 - Follow the package instructions for preparing the mashed potatoes. Typically, you'll heat them according to the package.
 - Flavor the Mashed Potatoes:
 - Add the minced chipotle peppers (adjust the amount for your desired heat level), cumin, and chili powder to the warm mashed potatoes.
 - Stir well to combine.
 - Add Moisture and Flavor:
 - Mix in the sour cream until fully incorporated. This helps maintain a creamy texture.
 - Add the grated cheese and stir until melted and well combined.
 - Garnish:
 - Sprinkle the chopped scallions on top.
 - Season to Taste:
 - Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
 - Serve:
 - Serve hot with additional toppings like diced avocado, diced tomatoes, or more cheese if desired.
 
Customizing Heat Level
- Mild: Use only 1 chipotle pepper for a light, smoky flavor.
 - Medium: Use 1.5 to 2 chipotle peppers for a noticeable heat.
 - Spicy: Use 3 chipotle peppers or more for those who enjoy a higher level of spiciness.
 
Optional Variations
- Add some diced green chiles for extra flavor.
 - Use different types of cheese or add some crumbled queso fresco.
 - Add a sprinkle of cilantro for a fresh and herbaceous note.
 
Enjoy the spicy twist on classic mashed potatoes by adding chipotles, a staple of Mexican cuisine. Customize the heat level by adjusting the number of chipotle peppers – for a mild flavor, use one, for a medium heat level, use 1.5 to 2, and for a spicy version, use 3 or more. With this flexible recipe, you can also add diced green chiles, different types of cheese, or sprinkle cilantro for an extra layer of flavor.