Cover with cold water by 2 inches, and bring to a boil. Prep them two days in advance for Thanksgiving and get ahead on your to-cook list. Can you make mashed potatoes ahead of time—or, rather, should you?. These make-ahead mashed potatoes are the most perfectly light, velvety mashed potatoes.

Drain potatoes and press through a ricer.

Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Place potatoes and 2 Tbls of salt in a large saucepan. (So see all the Thanksgiving recipes you can make ahead. When you’re planning a major feast, you want to get as much prepared in advance as possible. Meanwhile, heat cream, milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until butter melts. This delicious recipe for mashed potatoes enriched with cream cheese came from Martha's mother, Mrs. Kostyra.
)If you’re making mashed potatoes, you can prep the potatoes themselves a few days beforehand, or actually mash them up to one day before.