Mashed potatoes are one of the most comforting foods around and a classic side with many British dinners. The best mash is often packed with flavour with a creamy consistency, but not everyone gets it right.

The dish can be easily customised with various ingredients and flavors, making them a versatile and comforting dish. From the simple and easy to the downright bizarre, this one surprising ingredient will undoubtedly change up your mash potatoes game.

While many opt for the simple butter and milk combination, one expert offers an alternative that they promise makes mash extra fluffy and downright delicious.

Food Republic said: “Just as buttermilk is the liquid left over during the production of butter, ricotta is a byproduct of cheese production — it's the ‘whey’ or liquid that remains after milk has been curdled and strained away from various types of cheese.

“To transform this liquid into something more usable following that straining process, that whey is reheated and paired with different acids or enzymes.

“The resulting product is an altogether different and unique tangy soft cheese the Italians lovingly call ricotta.”

Ricotta is known to add a subtle cheesy tang to rich and fluffy mashed potatoes and besides being an essential part of many pasta dishes, ricotta cheese can also be a superstar addition to mashed potatoes.

“Once stirred in, it adds richness, creaminess, and a fluffy airiness to mashed potatoes that you can't get from any other ingredient,” added Food Republic.

The site advised: “To work ricotta cheese into mashed potatoes, boil or steam your potatoes until they are tender and can be mashed easily with a fork. Next, drain them and let cool slightly.

“Add your still-warm potatoes to a large bowl along with between ½ to 1 cup of ricotta cheese, 2 to 4 tablespoons of butter, and salt and pepper to taste.

“Finally, whip everything up to just the right level of creaminess using a potato masher or electric mixer.”

The best additions and tips for mashed potatoes was also posted on social media with one Redditt user asking: “What’s your best mashed potato recipes?”

The post further explained: “My family assigned me the responsibility of making mashed potatoes. I know how to make your standard garlic mashed but I was hoping you guys could give me an interesting twist.”

“Add Boursin Cheese, either the Garlic & Herb one or the Chive & Shallot one, or both,” advised one user.

Another added: “So my secret has always been with the milk (or cream), the butter, the salt and the pepper, add a few pinches of Chicken Bouillon powder. I saw it in some recipe once, and now it's my go to.

With another adding: “Not a recipe, but do make sure you let the potatoes stop steaming (maybe 5 mins in a colander) after you tip the water away. Then mash, mash, mash! Or get a potato ricer if you want them super smooth.”