Plain mashed potatoes are great on their own, but sometimes you want to mix it up a bit. Mashing in other vegetables adds flavor, color and texture, transforming the usual bowl of starch into a totally new side dish. How about mashed potatoes with butternut squash or caramelized shallot and sage? Get these recipes and more ideas below!

Here are our favorite types of add-ins for mashed potatoes:

Root Vegetables: The mild flavor and dense texture of root vegetables make them an ideal mate for mashed potatoes.
• Mashed Potatoes with Rutabaga, or Neeps & Tatties
• Mashed Potatoes with Carrots and Leeks at Gourmet
• Mashed Potatoes and Celeriac at Martha Stewart

Greens: Mashing cooked greens in with your potatoes adds color, flavor and textural contrast, and makes them a lot more nutritious too.
• Kale and Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes at 101 Cookbooks
• Colcannon at Simply Recipes

Winter Squash or Sweet Potatoes: Sweet, creamy mashed squash or sweet potato gives mashed potatoes an autumnal flair.
• Mashed Potatoes with Butternut Squash at Food & Wine
• Harvest Mashed Potatoes at Southern Living

Alliums: Add-ins like chives, caramelized onion or shallot, and roasted garlic take potatoes from tasty to scrape-the-bowl-clean good.
• Mascarpone Chive Mashed Potatoes at Sunset
• Caramelized-Shallot and Sage Mashed Potatoes at Bon Appetit
• Wasabi and Green Onion Mashed Potatoes at Bon Appetit

What are your favorite add-ins for mashed potatoes?

Related: Our Best Tips & Advice for Great Mashed Potatoes

(Images: Martha Stewart; 101 Cookbooks)