Baked Mashed Potatoes w/ Parmesan Cheese & Bread Crumbs

Recipe courtesy of Angela&Frank

• 1 tablespoon butter 
• 4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup whole milk 
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted 
• 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella 
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan 
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper 
• 2 tablespoons plain dry bread crumbs 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter and set aside. 

Cook the potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water until they are very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain; return the potatoes to the same pot and mash well. Mix in the milk and melted butter. Mix in the mozzarella and 3/4 cup of the Parmesan. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Transfer the potatoes to the prepared baking dish. Stir the bread crumbs and remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the mashed potatoes. Recipe can be prepared up to this point 6 hours ahead of time; cover and chill. 

Bake, uncovered, until the topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes.