Smith Potato Bake with Garlic and Chives

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-24 · Updated 2026-04-24

A comforting layered potato dish with tender potatoes and creamy cheese, perfect for weeknight dinners. This American-inspired comfort-food recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs russet potatoes, unsalted butter, shallot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium shallot
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Peel and dice 2 pounds russet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes, then boil in salted water for 15 minutes until tender.
2. Step 2: Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add 1 minced shallot and 3 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
3. Step 3: Drain potatoes, return to pot, and add 1 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mash until smooth, then fold in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons minced chives until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: Transfer mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, smooth the top, and bake for 25 minutes until golden and bubbling around the edges.