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Monster Mash Recipe

If your idea of a perfect meal involves something that’s good enough to eat but bad enough to be banned from restaurants across America, then this may just be the dish for you.

What Are The Ingredients In A Monster Mash Recipe?

The basic concept behind the classic American comfort food known as “monster mash” is simple: take a bowl of mashed potatoes, add some seasoning (usually salt), top it off with crunchy toppings, and serve it up with a side order of greasy goodness.

When I first started researching the history of this iconic dish, I discovered that its roots can actually stretch back all the way to the early 1800s.

While most people think of the original monster mash as being an amalgam of Irish and English recipes, there were several versions of the dish popular throughout England during the Victorian era because they used more expensive ingredients than their counterparts did.

While it was originally served at celebrations or special events like weddings, today the traditional American version has become a staple at family gatherings, football games, birthday parties, and even church dinners!

As we continue our journey into the world of monster mash recipes, let’s examine what makes one so very different from another…

How Do You Make A Monster Mash Recipe?

A monster mash is an old-fashioned English food consisting of mashed potatoes mixed with various other ingredients like meat, vegetables or gravy.

It’s usually served at special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and funerals.

The first known mention of the term “Monster Mash” appeared in The Oxford Companion To Food (1991) by Alan Davidson.

In it he describes the dish thusly:

“…a traditional English dish which was once popular throughout Britain, especially on Hallowe’en.

Mashed potatoes were mixed with minced beef, pork sausages, peas, carrots and sometimes turnip tops, all boiled together, and decorated with fried onion rings, crisp bacon rashers, and mushrooms.”

So, while the original recipe calls for mincemeat, which can include apples, raisins, cranberries, currants and prunes, we decided to keep things simple and stick to only the ingredients found in most modern recipes – namely, potatoes, green onions, cheese, and crispy bacon bits.

What Is The Best Monster Mash Recipe?

A classic appetizer known as the “Monster Mash” has been around since at least the 1950s.

The name itself comes from an old children’s song called “The Monster Mash,” which was written by Frank Churchill in 1892 (and later adapted into a popular radio show).

It refers to a mixture of ingredients served on top of mashed potatoes that are supposed to resemble a monstrous creature — hence its name.

While it’s unclear exactly how many versions of the original recipe exist, most recipes start off with some sort of meat or vegetable-based sauce, which is poured over a mound of spiced, mashed potatoes.

Then the whole thing gets smothered in melted butter, sour cream, or mayonnaise before being garnished with chopped vegetables like green onion tops, parsley, chives, scallions, peppers, and more.

Some recipes also include breadcrumbs, minced garlic, salt, pepper, chili powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and other seasonings.

You can find recipes online that call for almost any type of food imaginable, including crab legs, chicken wings, hot dogs, pork chops, sausage links, ground beef, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, carrots, celery, bell peppers, tomatoes, and even ketchup.

You can also mix up the toppings if you want to create your own unique flavor combinations instead of sticking to one standard set of ingredients.

What Is The Worst Monster Mash Recipe?

You might think that the easiest way to go about making a monster mash would involve some sort of combination of potatoes, chicken or meat, and maybe even vegetables.

But no matter how much you mix it up, there will always come a point when it all starts to taste like mushy potatoes with an aftertaste that makes you want to retch, which is exactly what happens in most restaurant versions of this classic dish.

The only reason why people love this dish so much is because it reminds them of childhood memories.

It also serves as a great excuse to get together with friends and family over a big bowl full of deliciousness.

But if you are looking for a healthy take on this dish, we have several options available below.

You could choose to start by replacing the cream-based sauce with yogurt (as seen above), or try out one of these recipes featuring cauliflower instead.

How Can You Make A Monster Mash Recipe Healthier?

Monster Mash isn’t exactly an appetizer or snack food, so it doesn’t really need to be healthy at all.

Sure, you could cut out the cream cheese if you wanted to make it less indulgent, but there are plenty of other ways to make a monster mash healthier without sacrificing flavor.

Use low-fat milk instead of whole milk

Whole milk has about twice as much fat per cup as skim milk, which means that even though the calories in the two milks aren’t very different, you would have to drink almost half a cup of whole milk to get the same amount of fat as one serving of the lower calorie alternative.

The result is that you end up eating way too many calories when you order a slice of pizza or a bowl of ice cream, because you think that they’ll be “healthy” since they’re on the menu.

But what happens when you actually take a bite and realize how loaded those toppings were? You’ll probably feel guilty after devouring them anyway.

For a better option, try using low-fat milk (or non-dairy creamer) instead of regular whole milk.

It won’t taste quite as rich, but it will still give you the nutrients you need while keeping your waistline safe.

Add veggies to your monster mash

One of the best things about making your own monster mash is that you don’t have to worry about any added ingredients.

Instead of using artificial flavors like MSG or monosodium glutamate, which are often found in restaurant versions of the dish, you can opt for real stuff like garlic powder or onion flakes.

These are far healthier than their synthetic counterparts, and adding a little bit of flavor to your dinner makes it easier to enjoy.

You also have some options for vegetables besides potatoes.

Try using carrots or sweet potatoes, or combine white beans with mushrooms or spinach for a protein boost.

If you want to add extra depth to your mash, consider throwing in chopped broccoli florets or fresh parsley leaves before baking it.

The last thing you want is for your homemade mash to turn into mushy slop once it comes out of the oven — especially if you’ve spent most of the day whipping it together!

Don’t forget the cheese

When you cook meat alongside potatoes, you normally use cheddar or Swiss cheese as part of the seasoning mixture.

For a healthier twist, swap these dairy cheeses out for nondairy alternatives like soy cheese or vegan parmesan.

Not only do nondairy cheeses lack saturated fats and cholesterol, but they also contain fewer calories than traditional varieties.

They’re also great choices if you’re allergic to gluten or lactose intolerant.

While we’re talking about seasonings, why not throw in some dried herbs along with the garlic and onion powders mentioned above? Herbs are full of antioxidants and vitamins that help protect against free radicals and reduce inflammation.

Plus, they come packed with flavor that will enhance the texture of whatever you put them in.

Make it a family affair

A lot of people who love monster mashes tend to go overboard with the cheesy topping.

While it’s nice to pile on the bacon, peppers, and tomatoes, you might find yourself feeling bloated and sluggish by the time you finish eating.

To avoid this problem, serve your mash alongside a salad or veggie side to balance everything out.

It’s also important to keep an eye on portion sizes.

Even if you’re careful to fill up on vegetable servings beforehand, the fact remains that you’re going to eat way more than you planned.

That means that you should only plan on having three or four monster mashes rather than six or seven.

How Can You Make A Monster Mash Recipe More Delicious?

This monster mash recipe starts out as an ordinary mashed potatoes dinner.

But when it’s time to add in all of those classic ingredients we love so much—green onions, shredded cheddar, and crisp bacon bits—it’s transformed into a hearty combination that will satisfy even the most demanding taste buds.

You could always use regular white potatoes instead of sweet potatoes if you don’t have any on hand, or swap out the green onion tops for fresh chives.

And while I do recommend using sharp cheddar for this recipe (the kind with little chunks of real cheese), you could also try swapping out half of the cheddar for pepper jack to change things up a bit.

What Are Some Variations Of The Monster Mash Recipe?

The classic monster mash was popularized by the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

It quickly became an annual event at many American households, as it combines two of our favorite foods: potatoes and meatballs.

A lot has changed in the world since those days though.

If you want to try out a new variation on the classic monster mash, here are some ideas to get started.

Fancy up the classics

  • Add a little cream or milk to the mashed potato mixture before baking. You might also add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to give it a kick.
  • Try adding vegetables like carrots, peas, corn, and even broccoli into the mix. Just chop them small enough so they don’t turn mushy when baked.
  • You can use any kind of ground beef instead of the meatballs. Try using different types of sausage too.
  • For extra flavor, sprinkle garlic powder over the top right after mixing everything together.

Make it vegan!

  • Use soy-based protein substitutes for the meatballs.
  • Instead of using regular flour, blend one cup of oat flour (ground oats) into your potato mixture before cooking.
  • Cook your own mushrooms instead of buying canned ones, which will save you money and time.
  • Replace the meatballs with mushroom pieces cooked in olive oil until browned.

Is There A Monster Mash Recipe For Vegans?

The “Monster Mash” has been around since at least the late 19th century, when it was first described as a popular Irish dish served in pubs during the holiday season.

The name comes from its similarity to the traditional Irish dish called “boxty,” which consists of a thick pancake-like mixture with a layer of currants on top.

It was also known as an “Irish stew,” because it often included beef or lamb, along with vegetables like carrots and potatoes.

In the United States, the term “monster mash” refers specifically to a dish consisting of mashed potatoes mixed together with other ingredients, usually including meat, gravy, and/or vegetables.

In recent years, many American chefs have added vegan options to their menus, so now there are plenty of delicious vegan versions of the classic “monster mash.”

Here are several recipes we found online for both non-vegan and vegan versions of this tasty dish:

  • Vegan Mashed Potato ‘Mash’ With Black Beans [Tastefully Simple]
  • Chunky Vegan Chicken & Mushroom Pot Pie (with Roasted Garlic Cream Cheese) [VegNews Magazine]
  • Crispy Bacon Baked Bean Dip with Homemade Cornbread Chips [Food52]
  • Pumpkin Spiced Butternut Squash Soup With Crispy Chickpeas [Lazy Girl Kitchen]
  • Spinach Artichoke Pasta Bake [Eats Well with Others]
  • Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Stuffed Peppers [Cooking Classified]
  • Green Chili Cheeseburger Meatloaf [Sugar Free Mom Blog]
  • Potato Leek Scones With Parsley Butter [Baking Addiction
  • Sweet Potato Quinoa Casserole [All Day I Dream About Food]
  • Butternut Squash Mac And Cheese [A Real Cookbook]
  • Ranch Style Tofu Scramble [Healthy Family Feasts]
  • Easy Vegetable Lasagna [Auntie E’s Recipes]
  • Loaded Taco Salad [Eat Your Greens]
  • Cheesy Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo [Dinner Tonight!
  • Buffalo Cauliflower Wings [Kitchen Hacks For Busy People
  • Stovetop Buffalo Ranch Pizza [MyRecipes.com
  • Vegetarian Loaded Nacho Bowls [Humble Sweet Home]
  • Macaroni and Cheese with Veggies [I Am Oatmeal]
  • Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts [The Hungry Healthy Mama
  • Homemade Vegan Turkey Sandwich [Jelliedup]
  • Mini Pumpkin Pies [The Pioneer Woman
  • Kale Caesar Salad [The Kitchn
  • Red Lentil Dal Curry [Nourished by Nature
  • Quinoa, Kale, and White Bean Stew [Grainless Wonders]
  • Roasted Tomato Basil Soup [The Edgy Veg]
  • Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes [Deliciously Ella
  • Fried Green Tomatoes [A Taste of Southern Living
  • Chicken Tikka Masala [Beth Fishbein’s Blog]
  • Veggie Burritos [Simple Pleasures Cooking School
  • Vegan Shepherd’s Pie [The Minimalist Baker
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies [The New Nutrition Mama
  • Vegan Coconut Fluff Cake [Simply Canning]
  • Vegan Lemon Blueberry Pancakes [Curious Palate
  • Black Bean Quesadilla [Barefoot Contessa
  • Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Bread [Whole Foods Market
  • Vegetable Tacos [The Modern Domesticista
  • Zucchini Gnocchi [The Broke and Beautiful Life
  • Beef Stroganoff Skillet [The Dinner Divas
  • Vegan Chili [The Gluten Free Homemaker
  • Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing [The Skinnytaste Blog
  • Vegetable Enchiladas [Bakerita
  • Cranberry BBQ Sauce [Gluten Free Goddess
  • Vegan Eggplant Parmesan [The Happy Herbivore
  • Creamy Polenta [The Kitchen Witch
  • Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup [The Peasant Plate]
  • Roasted Vegetables [A Little Bit of Everything
  • Spicy Indian Lentils [Culinary Adventures
  • Zoodles With Avocado Ricotta Topping [The Kitchn
  • Curry Cashew Stir Fry [The Pioneer Woman
  • Carnitas Taco Salad [The Glitter Guide
  • Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte [The Kitchn
  • Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Glaze [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan French Toast [The Kitchn
  • Homemade Apple Crumble [The Pioneer Woman
  • Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bars [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan Meatballs [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan Meatball Sub [The Pioneer Woman
  • Meatloaf [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan Mac n’ Cheese [The Pioneer Woman
  • Chili Lime Shrimp [The Pioneer Woman
  • Salmon Burgers [The Pioneer Woman
  • Roasted Beetroot Tartare [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan Shepherd’s Pie [The Pioneer Woman
  • Pork Chops [The Pioneer Woman
  • Turkey Breast [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan Turkey Sliders [The Pioneer Woman
  • Cajun Crab Rangoon [The Pioneer Woman
  • Cheddar Jarls [The Pioneer Woman
  • Baked Ziti [The Pioneer Woman
  • Stroganoff [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan Beef Stroganoff [The Pioneer Woman
  • Beet and Goat Cheese Salad [The Pioneer Woman
  • Mango Lassi [The New Nutrition Mama
  • Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Panini [The Pioneer Woman
  • Chicken Tikka Masala [Beth Fishbein’s Blog
  • Vegan Lemon Blueberry Pancakes [Curious Palate
  • Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Bread [Whole Foods Market
  • Vegetable Enchiladas [The Kitchen Witch
  • Zoodles With Avocado Ricotta Topping [The Kitchen Witch
  • Curry Cashew Stir Fry [The Pioneer Woman
  • Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Glaze [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan Meatball Sub [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan Mac n’ Cheese [The Pioneer Woman
  • Salmon Burgers [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan Turkey Sliders [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan Pork Chops [The Pioneer Woman
  • Baked Ziti [The Pioneer Woman
  • Mushroom Swiss Steak [The Pioneer Woman
  • Vegan Beef Stroganoff [The Pioneer Woman

Is There A Monster Mash Recipe For People With Allergies?

The term “monster mash” has been around since at least 1892 when it was used in reference to a dessert or a side dish (a type of casserole).

The story goes like this: One day in 1893, a man named John B.

Browning was working as an assistant chef in a restaurant called the Hotel de France.

When he had finished preparing his food, he realized that his work would not be complete until he added some kind of garnish.

He looked through the kitchen drawers and found nothing suitable, so he decided to improvise by using flour, milk, eggs, butter, salt, pepper, and other ingredients in order to make what we today know as a traditional English pudding known as a pud.

Browning ended up making a delicious dessert that was popular among diners, which led to the name “Monster Mash” being given to the new addition to their menu.

It quickly became one of the most requested desserts at the hotel, and soon spread throughout Europe and North America.

Today, the recipe can vary depending on who makes it.

Some versions use plain white potatoes, while others call for sweet potato, russet potato, or even yams.

There are also variations where cream replaces part of the milk, and where different types of cheeses are swapped out for mozzarella or Swiss cheese, or even Cheddar.

Then, there are those who add chopped celery, onion, or garlic into the mix, or change up the seasonings entirely.

Because the original recipe calls for all these different kinds of ingredients, many people with dietary restrictions have trouble finding a good-enough substitute.

However, if you keep reading, I will show you how to create a tasty monster mash without worrying about allergens!

What Is The Origin Of The Monster Mash Recipe?

The first published record of the name “Monster Mash” dates back to 1876 in The New York Times (although it was likely created earlier).

It has since become one of those classic American dishes that we all know by heart – or at least have seen on TV.

In fact, if you think about it, there are probably more variations than recipes!

But how did a simple mashed potato get its name? According to legend, President Franklin D.

Roosevelt enjoyed this dish so much during his presidency that he would order it every day as part of his lunch menu.

However, nobody knows whether this really happened because no records exist.

It seems like such an odd thing to do today, but even though the president didn’t actually enjoy eating mashed potatoes, they were still considered a staple food around the world at the time.

So what exactly does the original recipe look like? Well, it depends who you ask.

Some claim that it’s nothing more than baked potatoes covered in butter, while others say that it includes sour cream instead.

But whatever the case, the basic ingredients are always the same:

  • 1 large russet potato
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup milk
  • Salt & pepper to taste

In addition, some versions include chopped garlic, other herbs, grated cheese, and/or cooked sausage pieces.

There are also many different ways to serve this dish, including baking it in the oven, frying it up in a cast iron skillet, and serving it over pasta or rice.

Monster Mash Recipe

If your idea of a perfect meal involves something that’s good enough to eat but bad enough to be banned from restaurants across America, then this may just be the dish for you.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Monster Mash Recipe
Servings: 4
Calories: 434kcal

Equipment

  • Pan
  • 1 Wooden Spoon

Ingredients

  • 5 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 5.5 oz Sweet Potatoes
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper
  • 7 oz Zucchini
  • 8 oz Ground Beef
  • 1 cup Beef Bone Broth
  • 5 tbsp Salt
  • 25 tbsp Pepper
  • Oregano
  • Paprika
  • Cayenne
  • Chili Powder
  • 3 oz White Rice

Instructions

  • Turn the heat to medium and put a cast iron pan on the stove.
  • Cut zucchini, red bell peppers, and sweet potatoes into pieces that are 1/4 inch in size. Depending on your desire, you can change the size of your chopped vegetables. If you are keeping track of your dietary consumption, scale back on the vegetables.
  • Cast iron or other pan with olive oil in it should be heated for two to three minutes.
  • Spread out the vegetables in the pan or cast iron.
  • Scale your ground beef so that it will be available for use as needed.
  • Place the vegetables in one-half of the pan and the ground meat in the remaining cast-iron portion.
  • To ensure that your ground beef cooks properly, cut and mash it with a tool.
  • The ground beef can now be combined with the veggies after browning for 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, cayenne, and any other low FODMAP ingredients can be added. Combine the seasonings, ground beef, and vegetables in a bowl. Including beef bone broth
  • Depending on whether you are trying to gain weight or lose it, add some pre-cooked rice to your overall calorie or carbohydrate consumption.
  • For two to three minutes, boil the mixture while stirring.
  • Add to a dish or plate, then indulge!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 52412mg | Potassium: 512mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 6561IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 2mg
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