Mashed Potatoes with Country Gravy Recipe
There are some meals that just feel like a warm hug on a plate. For me, a generous helping of fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes drenched in a rich, peppery gravy is the very definition of heart-warming food. This isn’t just any old mash and gravy; this is my definitive recipe for Mashed Potatoes with Country-Style Gravy, a dish that I’ve tweaked and perfected over the years. It’s the kind of meal we turn to on a chilly Sunday afternoon or after a particularly long week, when only something truly satisfying will do.
What makes this combination so special is the contrast. You have the incredibly smooth, buttery potatoes, which act as the perfect pillowy base for the star of the show: the gravy. This isn’t a thin, brown liquid. This is a proper, thick, country-style gravy, studded with savoury morsels of browned sausage meat and seasoned boldly with black pepper. I’ve been making this for over 6 years, and it never disappoints; it’s the recipe my family requests time and time again. It’s a substantial dish that works beautifully on its own or as an accompaniment to something like fried chicken or roasted vegetables.
Whether you’re an experienced cook or just looking for a recipe that delivers big on flavour without being overly complicated, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to walk through this step-by-step, ensuring your potatoes are lump-free and your gravy is deeply flavourful. It’s a straightforward process that yields a truly spectacular result, ideal for a memorable family dinner.
Recipe Overview
This recipe brings together two beloved components into one glorious meal: exceptionally fluffy mashed potatoes and a thick, creamy sausage gravy. The flavour profile is savoury and rich, with the creaminess of the mash balancing the peppery kick of the gravy. After testing this recipe five times, I finally got it just right, discovering that the secret to the gravy’s depth lies in browning the sausage properly and not being shy with the black pepper.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4-6 people
- Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Mashed Potatoes With Country-Style Gravy
- Genuine Flavour: The taste is wonderfully authentic. The gravy has a real depth from the sausage pan-drippings, while the mash is genuinely creamy and buttery—no shortcuts, just pure, honest flavour.
- Ready in Under an Hour: The entire meal comes together in about 45 minutes, making it a fantastic option for a weeknight when you want something substantial without spending hours in the kitchen.
- A Truly Flexible Recipe: You can easily adapt this to your liking. Use a spicy sausage for more heat, add roasted garlic to the mashed potatoes, or stir in some fresh thyme into the gravy. It’s a great base for your own creativity.
- Great for a Hearty Meal: This works beautifully for a weekend family lunch or a satisfying supper. It’s the kind of dish that feels special but is built from simple, accessible ingredients. It would even be a great alternative to the usual gravy with our Smashed Burgers Recipe.
- Family Tested and Approved: This is one of those dinners that always gets compliments in my house. My youngest, who can be a bit fussy, always clears their plate when this country gravy is on the menu.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the best results, start with good quality ingredients. I always choose a floury potato variety like Maris Piper or King Edward, as they make the fluffiest mash. For the gravy, I find a good quality Cumberland sausage provides the perfect peppery note that this American-style Sausage gravy is known for.
- For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 1.2 kg Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes, peeled and cut into even 4cm chunks
- 200 ml whole milk
- 80 g unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp ground white pepper
- For the Country-Style Gravy:
- 400 g good-quality pork sausage meat (or sausages, casings removed)
- 60 g unsalted butter
- 60 g plain flour
- 700 ml whole milk
- 200 ml chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper (be generous!)
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- A pinch of onion powder (optional, but recommended)
Marcus’s Tip: Always warm your milk and butter before adding them to the mashed potatoes. Adding cold dairy can make the potatoes gummy and cool them down too quickly. A quick minute in the microwave or a gentle warm-up in a small pan makes all the difference.
How to Make Mashed Potatoes With Country-Style Gravy
The process is quite straightforward. We’ll get the potatoes boiling first, and while they’re cooking, we’ll make the rich country gravy. This way, everything is ready and piping hot at the same time.
- Cook the Potatoes: Place the peeled and chunked potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to the boil over a high heat, then reduce the heat to a steady simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a knife.
- Start the Gravy: While the potatoes are cooking, melt the 60g of butter in a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan or skillet over a medium heat. Add the sausage meat and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through. Do not drain the fat.
- Make the Roux: Sprinkle the plain flour over the cooked sausage and fat. Stir constantly and cook for 2 minutes. This step is vital to cook out the raw flour taste and forms the thickening base for our gravy.
- Build the Gravy: Gradually pour in the 700ml of milk, a little at a time, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Once all the milk is incorporated, pour in the stock.
- Simmer and Season: Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer, still stirring. Let it bubble away gently for 5-7 minutes to thicken. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Now, season it generously. I find that it needs at least 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, plus salt and the onion powder, if using. Taste and adjust. Keep warm over a very low heat.
- Drain and Dry the Potatoes: Once the potatoes are tender, drain them completely in a colander. Return the empty saucepan to the low heat for a moment to evaporate any remaining water, then return the potatoes to the pan. Let them sit in the warm, dry pan for a minute or two to steam dry – this is my secret to extra fluffy mash.
- Mash to Perfection: Use a potato ricer or a hand masher to mash the potatoes until smooth. Avoid using a food processor, as this can make them gluey.
- Finish the Mash: In a separate small pan or in the microwave, gently warm the 200ml of milk and 80g of butter. Pour this into the mashed potatoes, add the salt and white pepper, and beat with a wooden spoon until everything is incorporated and the mash is light and fluffy.
- Serve Immediately: Divide the hot mashed potatoes among plates, make a well in the centre of each, and ladle over the hot country-style gravy. Serve straight away.
Tips From My Kitchen
- Temperature Control: If your gravy is ready before your potatoes, just keep it on the lowest possible heat, stirring occasionally. If the mash is ready first, place a lid on the pan and you can even wrap it in a tea towel to keep it perfectly warm.
- The Secret Step: I learned that letting the boiled potatoes steam dry for a minute after draining is the most important step for achieving a fluffy texture. It allows excess moisture to evaporate, which would otherwise make the mash watery.
- Make-Ahead: The country gravy can be made up to two days in advance. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat gently in a pan, adding a splash of milk to loosen it if needed. The mashed potatoes are best made fresh.
- Storage: Store leftover mashed potatoes and gravy in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the mash with a splash of milk in the microwave or on the hob, and gently reheat the gravy in a saucepan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the Pan: When browning the sausage, use a pan that is large enough. If the pan is too crowded, the sausage will steam instead of developing those delicious, crispy brown bits that are essential for the gravy’s flavour. Work in batches if you need to.
- Wrong Temperature for Gravy: Don’t have your heat too high when you add the milk to the roux. A medium-low heat and gradual addition of liquid while whisking constantly is the key to a smooth, lump-free country gravy.
- Skipping the Steam-Dry Step: As mentioned in my tips, not allowing the potatoes to steam dry after draining is a common misstep. This 60-second step is your insurance against watery mash and is absolutely crucial for a fluffy final result.
Delicious Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, it’s fun to experiment. This dish is a wonderful canvas for a few simple tweaks that can change its character entirely.
- Spicy Version: For a bit of a kick, add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a finely chopped fresh red chilli to the sausage meat as it browns.
- Vegetarian Option: This recipe works surprisingly well with a plant-based substitute. Use a good quality vegetarian sausage, vegetable stock, and your favourite dairy-free milk and butter alternatives. A mushroom-based sausage adds a lovely umami depth.
- Cheesy Garlic Mash: Elevate the potatoes by stirring in 50g of grated mature cheddar and a teaspoon of garlic granules (or one clove of roasted garlic, mashed) along with the butter and milk. It pairs beautifully with the savoury gravy. This would be a great side for our Stuffed Bell Peppers.
What to Serve With Mashed Potatoes With Country-Style Gravy
While this is hearty enough to be a meal in itself, it also pairs wonderfully with other dishes to create a truly memorable feast.
- Southern Fried Chicken: The classic pairing. The crispy, seasoned chicken is the perfect partner for the creamy potatoes and rich gravy.
- Steamed Green Beans: A side of simple, steamed green beans with a knob of butter adds a touch of freshness and colour to the plate, cutting through the richness.
- Drink Pairing: A cold, crisp lager or a malty brown ale complements the savoury notes of the sausage gravy. For a non-alcoholic option, a tall glass of iced tea works a treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mashed Potatoes With Country-Style Gravy
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the Potatoes: Place the peeled and chunked potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to the boil over a high heat, then reduce the heat to a steady simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a knife.
- Start the Gravy: While the potatoes are cooking, melt the 60g of butter in a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan or skillet over a medium heat. Add the sausage meat and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through. Do not drain the fat.
- Make the Roux: Sprinkle the plain flour over the cooked sausage and fat. Stir constantly and cook for 2 minutes. This step is vital to cook out the raw flour taste and forms the thickening base for our gravy.
- Build the Gravy: Gradually pour in the 700ml of milk, a little at a time, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Once all the milk is incorporated, pour in the stock.
- Simmer and Season: Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer, still stirring. Let it bubble away gently for 5-7 minutes to thicken. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Now, season it generously. I find that it needs at least 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, plus salt and the onion powder, if using. Taste and adjust. Keep warm over a very low heat.
- Drain and Dry the Potatoes: Once the potatoes are tender, drain them completely in a colander. Return the empty saucepan to the low heat for a moment to evaporate any remaining water, then return the potatoes to the pan. Let them sit in the warm, dry pan for a minute or two to steam dry – this is my secret to extra fluffy mash.
- Mash to Perfection: Use a potato ricer or a hand masher to mash the potatoes until smooth. Avoid using a food processor, as this can make them gluey.
- Finish the Mash: In a separate small pan or in the microwave, gently warm the 200ml of milk and 80g of butter. Pour this into the mashed potatoes, add the salt and white pepper, and beat with a wooden spoon until everything is incorporated and the mash is light and fluffy.
- Serve Immediately: Divide the hot mashed potatoes among plates, make a well in the centre of each, and ladle over the hot country-style gravy. Serve straight away.
Notes
There you have it – a truly satisfying meal that brings so much warmth and flavour to the table. This recipe for Mashed Potatoes with Country-Style Gravy is a staple in my kitchen, and I hope it becomes one in yours too. It’s more than just food; it’s a feeling of home. If you give this a try, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! If you’re after another one-pot wonder, check out my recipe for Creamy Chicken And Rice.
Happy cooking,
Marcus
