The potatoes are good as is, but you can also dress them up in dozens of ways. Some of my family's classic additions include shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, bacon bits, pepper, and more butter.

1. Potato Pancakes. Transform your mashed potatoes into savory pancakes by incorporating ingredients like bacon, chives, feta, or capers. To bind the mixture, add a bit of flour and an egg, then ...

She starts by boiling, then peeling and slicing Yukon Gold potatoes. But instead of mashing them like the name implies, she purees them instead with a food mill and a coarsest blade.

But there are plenty of ways to improve instant mashed potatoes — you don't have to just add water and call it a day. In fact, making them according to the package instructions is generally a ...