Baked Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan

Ingredients

• 4 lbs yellow potatoes or russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, minced, 2 tsp
• 1 cup whole milk, then more as desired
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese
• Salt
• 2 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, optional

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a baking dish in the 13 by 9-inch size.
2. Put the potatoes in a pot, then add water until it rises an inch or 2 above them. Set the pot over medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low, and let the potatoes simmer until a fork slides in easily, about 15 – 25 minutes.
3. While the potatoes cook, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and cook it for 30 – 60 seconds, just long enough to mellow it, then take the pan off the heat.
4. Drain the potatoes, put them back in the pot, and mash them thoroughly, or run them through a potato ricer or food mill.
5. Pour the garlic butter into the potatoes, then add the milk, mozzarella, 3/4 cup parmesan, and 2 Tbsp parsley. Stir everything together, loosen with a little more milk if you like, and season with salt to taste.
6. Transfer the potato mixture to the prepared dish and smooth it into an even layer. Scatter the remaining 1/4 cup parmesan across the top.
7. Bake for 20 minutes; if you want more color on the surface, move the dish closer to the broiler during the last few minutes and broil briefly, about 2 – 3 minutes.
8. Finish with 1/2 Tbsp parsley, then serve warm.