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Pesto Mashed Potatoes

This post is so appropriate, it makes me feel like quite the blogger. But it was complete coincidence, don’t let me fool you. This dish was the perfect side to our herb roasted turkey dinner over the weekend.

Friends of ours love to go to Vegas and they love to find good deals. Several trips ago, our friends recommended Mr. P and I try out the Bellagio buffet for lunch. Heads up: apparently the lunch and dinner offerings are the exact same, and you can save some cash by going at lunch. So that’s what we did. I believe I mentioned Mr. Prevention is rather “frugal”, right?

Well, the Bellagio buffet was certainly impressive, but there was one dish in particular that made me weak in the knees: pesto mashed potatoes. This first life-changing taste happened in 2006, and we have made a trip or two back. Fortunately, pesto mashed potatoes were a repeat item and still on the Bellagio buffet menu, at least to my knowledge. And Yelp will cue you in, too…I’m not the only one who raves about these pesto mashed potatoes — 47 others have declared their love, too.

Mr. Prevention and I are heading to Vegas this weekend. We may or may not confirm pesto mashed potatoes still being on the Bellagio buffet menu. We have 6 mouths to appease as we are meeting both of our parents in Vegas. Family fun! 😀

So if you have the chance at some point, go to the Bellagio buffet and try the pesto mashed potatoes, or at least try my recipe. It’s probably a little lot healthier anyways 😉

 

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Pesto Mashed Potatoes inspired by the Bellagio buffet

3 lbs potatoes, washed, and cut into 2-3″ cubes
1/4 cup Smart Balance Light
1/3 cup fat-free half and half
3 Tbsp low-fat sour cream
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup pesto (prepared or homemade)

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil potatoes until fork-tender, about 20-30 minutes.

Drain potatoes and all remaining ingredients. Mash together and blend all ingredients using a potato masher, electric hand mixer, or stand mixer. Serve warm. Yield: 12 servings (1/2 cup each).

Nutrition Information (per serving): 122 calories; 4.2 g. fat; 1 mg. cholesterol; 205 mg. sodium; 21.1 g. carbohydrate; 2.3 g. fiber; 3.8 g. protein

Result: An indulgence to make your heart skip a beat! Sure, it’s not the healthiest way to eat potatoes, but it quite possibly the most savory and bold! Enjoy!

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Our herb-roasted turkey, pesto mashed potato, and asparagus meal was delightful. I am very pleased to say that I successfully roasted my first turkey! I went with an herb rub inside and outside of the bird, as well as under the skin for additional flavor. I used a combination of sage, rosemary, and thyme and stuffed the turkey with quartered onions and large pieces of celery and carrot. Delicious!

Better late than never…and I got to really test out my new convection oven. Swoon 🙂

Question: Does the sound of pesto mashed potatoes make you weak at your knees, too?

Like I said, Vegas-bound this afternoon! I will take my laptop, but I doubt there will be much blogging going on 😉

Later gators!

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22 Comments

  1. Matt
    March 31, 2011 / 6:57 am

    I think this post is living proof that you can add pesto to anything and it will taste fabulous.

  2. The Teenage Taste
    March 31, 2011 / 7:09 am

    I never thought of adding pesto to mashed potatoes, but boy, does it look delicious! Thanks for another lovely recipe, Nicole!

  3. Suman Singh
    March 31, 2011 / 7:32 am

    Yummy and delicious mashed potatoes..love the idea of adding pesto in it…nice recipe..thanks!

  4. Marisa @ Loser for Life
    March 31, 2011 / 7:51 am

    Pesto and potatoes! What a match made in heaven!

    Have a great trip to Vegas, Nicole!

  5. Lee
    March 31, 2011 / 7:59 am

    Sounds good to me! Have fun in Vegas! I’ve never been but we are thinking of going in the fall.

  6. Joanne
    March 31, 2011 / 8:08 am

    Pesto and potatoes?!?!? Sounds fantastic!

    So jealous of your Vegas trip! Eat some delicious food and don’t lose too much money!

  7. Tricia
    March 31, 2011 / 8:27 am

    I’m so intrigued by these! Definitely trying this recipe.

  8. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    March 31, 2011 / 9:27 am

    Ahhhhh, SO jealous of your Vegas fun!!!! Have a great trip!!!!

  9. Katie @ Health for the Whole Self
    March 31, 2011 / 10:07 am

    Have an awesome trip!!!

  10. Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun
    March 31, 2011 / 10:32 am

    I’ve been on a pesto kick lately, so YES these sound amazing!!! And I’m also on a pesto with goat cheese kick so I bet some smooth (Chavrie) goat cheese instead of the sour cream would rock my world.

  11. molly
    March 31, 2011 / 12:19 pm

    Thanksgiving is the best meal of the year. Fully support your decision to have March Thanksgiving. Plus, we have lots to be thankful for each day, right? Fitting it is.

    Awesome idea on the potatoes.

  12. Roz
    March 31, 2011 / 1:01 pm

    Oh YUM!!! Love pesto. I made sun dried tomato pesto mashed potatoes for a dinner party a few months back – they were just HOOVERED up!!! As I’m sure the green pesto mash would be too. Love the idea of March Thanksgiving! Have a great day!

  13. Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life
    March 31, 2011 / 2:01 pm

    Thos mashed potatoes sound incredible. Have fun in Vegas!

  14. Leah @ Why Deprive?
    March 31, 2011 / 3:12 pm

    I may have just squealed a little at my desk. This is the best idea I’ve ever heard. I love pesto, and would eat it on just about anything. This is officially on my must try list. ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. Kristen (swanky dietitian)
    March 31, 2011 / 3:16 pm

    Those mashed potatoes look delish!
    I think I have maybe eaten at the Bellagio buffet once. I will have to try them if I ever go. I think when you live in Vegas, you don’t tend to go to buffets as often.
    Have a great trip!

  16. Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather
    March 31, 2011 / 4:03 pm

    Anything pesto I want! This sounds amazing Nicole.

    I hope you two have a blast getting away for the weekend ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. thehealthyapron
    March 31, 2011 / 4:20 pm

    This looks SO good! We go to VEgas often, as my parents have a vacation home there, I will have to go to the bellagio buffet! I went to the MGM buffet before and was NOT Impressed (FYI)

    Can’t wait to try these! I bet they would stuff well in to the potato skin!

  18. renee@mykitchenadventures
    March 31, 2011 / 7:35 pm

    um…YUM….I have to try this! Your stats look pretty good to me….potatoes get such a bad rap all the time!

    Have FUN in Vegas…and yes, I am a bit envious you are getting to escape this wintery hold we have to deal with for the past few weeks! I hope its warm and sunny every day for you!!

  19. Gina (The Candid RD)
    April 1, 2011 / 7:33 am

    Heck no you shouldn’t blog while in Vegas!! That’s the last thing I would do, well, most likely. I mean there is SO MUCH to do there!! Not that I have been, but Nick talks about it all the time. And yes, I am WEAK at the knees hearing about these pesto mashed potatoes. I think your version is better though. I can only imagine the heaviness in the Bellagio version! But, so worth it I’m sure.

    HAVE FUN!!

  20. Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
    April 1, 2011 / 9:24 am

    Best time to go to any Vegas buffet is right before they switch from lunch to dinner offerings because you get both for the lunch price!

  21. Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
    April 1, 2011 / 1:58 pm

    Yes, pesto mash potatoes do sound amazing!!! I actually have some pesto in the freezer I need to use up… think I got a plan!

  22. Biz
    April 1, 2011 / 5:57 pm

    First of all, jealous of your convection oven and second – jealous of your Vegas trip!!

    With all our medical bills incurred from my husbands cancer surgery, no vacation is on the map for this year – but he’s getting better every day, so I’ll take it! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Have a ton of fun!!

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