Description
Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes are a crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside side dish bursting with rich flavors of melted butter, roasted garlic, and savory parmesan cheese. This simple yet indulgent recipe takes baby red potatoes, boils and gently smashes them before baking to golden perfection, making it a perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 2 lbs. baby red potatoes
Butter Mixture
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus 2 extra tablespoons for topping
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, melt the butter completely in the microwave. Stir in the minced garlic, grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper until fully combined. The mixture will emit a delightful aroma. Set aside.
- Cook Potatoes: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the baby red potatoes, cover, and cook until tender when pierced with a fork, about 20-25 minutes.
- Dry Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly and let them cool for about 5 minutes. Then, pat each potato dry with a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.
- Preheat Oven and Smash Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Arrange the dried potatoes on a lightly greased baking sheet or parchment-lined pan. Using the bottom of a glass or jar, gently press down on each potato to smash it into a flatter shape without breaking it apart.
- Add Butter Mixture: Spoon about one heaping tablespoon of the prepared garlic parmesan butter over each smashed potato, ensuring they are well coated. Drizzle any leftover mixture evenly on top.
- Bake and Broil: Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Then, remove the tray and sprinkle each potato with the additional 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese. Broil on high for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese melts and turns golden and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by sprinkling the potatoes with extra fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy, cheesy, and flavorful potatoes.
Notes
- Use baby red potatoes for the best texture and flavor as they hold up well to smashing and baking.
- Be gentle when smashing to keep the potato intact but flattened for crispy edges.
- If you don’t have fresh parsley, chives or dried Italian herbs can be a good substitute.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and parmesan with vegan alternatives.
- Serve these as a side to grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a well-rounded meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Baking, Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: garlic parmesan smashed potatoes, smashed potatoes, garlic potatoes, parmesan potatoes, crispy smashed potatoes, easy side dish, baked potatoes
