I am not a huge fan of instant potatos. They don't taste like the real potatos. My kids thought love them especially the garlic and loaded baked potato flavored ones. I keep telling them that I can make them the same way but they don't want to hear it. I think I might trick them one day and see if they even notice.

I can get these to taste just as good as regular potatoes. I will add a little of this and that, salt and pepper, sour cream, sometimes cream of cheese; sometimes I shred a little cheddar cheese and mix that in. You can also do all of the above, add one package of instant mushroom soup (dry, like Lipton's ). Then put in baking pan. Pat top of potatoes with butter. Bake for about 40 minutes. The last 15 minutes, sprinkle additional cheddar on top. I never have leftovers, unless I make a huge amount of them. Just making regular instant mashed potatoes by box directions does not taste very good.

I wanted to edit my last post. For some reason there isn't that option on that post..I meant to say dry mushroom instant soup, like Lipton's. IF you are ever going to try this, don't use cream of mushroom soup out of a can, it will make it way too runny.

I eat Idahoan mashed potatoes in my RV when camping. They're not quite the same as homemade mashed potatoes but are certainly suitable for dinner. They make some pre-seasoned mashed potato mixes that taste great.

I'd bet that most mashed potatoes served in a restaurant's are instant potatoes. I know they are at the club I belong to and were when I was in the service.

I saw an edit button on my last post.

And just saw it one this one and used it to add this line