How many potatoes are needed to make mashed for 12 people?

It's impossible to give an exact number of potatoes without knowing how much mashed potatoes each person will eat. Here's a guide to help you figure it out:

Factors to consider:

* Appetite: Do your guests eat a lot of mashed potatoes, or is it a side dish?

* Other foods: Will there be other starchy side dishes?

* Potato size: Smaller potatoes will need more than larger ones.

* Mashed potato recipe: Some recipes use more potatoes than others.

General guidelines:

* Light eaters: Plan for about 1 medium-sized potato per person.

* Average eaters: Plan for 1.5-2 medium-sized potatoes per person.

* Heavy eaters: Plan for 2-3 medium-sized potatoes per person.

Example:

If you're assuming average eaters, you might need about 18-24 medium-sized potatoes (12 people x 1.5-2 potatoes).

Tip: It's always better to err on the side of having too much mashed potatoes than not enough. You can always freeze leftovers!