[Photo: Caroline Russock]

Creamy, rich mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving essential. Some folks lard them up with sour cream or half-and-half, others toss in cheese, herbs, roasted garlic, or even wasabi.

Here are a few recipes for Thanksgiving inspiration, but tell us: do you have a favorite mashed potato trick? Do you stir in a secret ingredient? Or do you prefer a different base altogether?

• Loaded Mashed Potatoes [Paula Deen]
• Mashed Potatoes with Crispy Shallots [FW]
• Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes [Culinate]
• Mark Peel's Perfect Mashed Potatoes [SE]
• Mashed Potatoes With Parsley and Walnut Pesto [NYT]
• Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes with Fried Sage [LA Times]
• Cheesy Bacon and Sage Mashed Potatoes [Washington Post]
• Camembert Mashed Potatoes [Cooking Light]
• Mashed Reds [Chow]
• Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes [Gourmet]

[Photo: Robyn Lee]

• Kale and Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes [101Cookbooks]
• Potato Basil Purée [SE]
• Smoky Mashed Potatoes [FW]
• Coconut and Lemongrass Mashed Potatoes [PinkBites]
• Twice Baked Potatoes [TheKitchn]
• Roasted Garlic IPA Mashed Potatoes [Homebrew Chef]
• Smashed Potatoes with Chives [Ezra Pound Cake]
• Miso Mashed Potatoes [Culinate]
• Mashed Potato Waffles [NYT]
• Skillet-Cooked Potatoes and Cheese [Saveur]
• White Cheddar and Garlic Mashed Potatoes [Closet Cooking]

Mashing: Not Just For Potatoes Anymore!

• Celery Root and Turnip Puree [FW]
• Mashed Turnips and Potatoes with Horseradish Bread Crumbs [Gourmet]
• Cauliflower Purée [SE]
• Smashed Rutabagas with Ginger-Roasted Pears [Bon Appetit]
• Tyler Florence's Parsnip Purée [Food Network]