Ah, the magic of mashed potatoes: just boil some spuds in water and smash them with a bit of butter, salt and cream and you’ve got a dish so satisfying that it has become one of the most crave-worthy sides at any Thanksgiving feast. Mashed potatoes are simple, rich and creamy — and for barely any effort.

And, if that’s not inspiring enough, consider how easily potatoes pair with lots of other tasty ingredients. All it takes is a tiny tweak to totally reimagine their flavor.

No wonder mashed potatoes are a classic.

Planning to whip up a batch on Turkey Day? Here are a some of our chefs’ best recipes to help you switch it up (just a little bit) this Thanksgiving.

Ina Garten: Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
Whisk in sour cream like Ina does. The mild tanginess of the cream is the perfect balance for the potatoes’ natural earthiness.

Bobby Flay: Mashed Potatoes with Smoked Paprika and Chives
The paprika does more than add sweet and smoky flavor to these potatoes — it also gives them their beautiful autumnal orange hue!

Giada De Laurentiis: Baked Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan and Bread Crumbs
OMG stands for Oven-baked Mashed potato Goodness, right? Either way, those are the 3 letters that will be on your mind when you taste these cheese-topped spuds!

Alton Brown: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Alton has a genius trick for maximum flavor: infuse your half-and-half with fresh garlic.

Tyler Florence: Mashed Potatoes
Who knew that the secret to a savory mash was simply tossing a bay leaf into the pot when you’re boiling the potatoes? (Thanks, Tyler!)

Ree Drummond: Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
Ree swaps regular butter with some that she’s cooked to a deep golden-brown color — for mashed potatoes with a delicious nutty, roasted flavor.

Looking for more Thanksgiving sides?
Here are the most popular Turkey Day recipes in every state.
Not sure what to serve before Thanksgiving dinner? We can help.