Mashed potato is a staple of British dinner tables, but if you're looking to take yours to the next level, one chef has revealed a simple secret ingredient that promises to transform your mash into the best you've ever tasted.

According to , the trick is to add a Parmesan cheese rind to your potatoes as they cook. While many of us might grate cheese over the top, chef Nicole McLaughlin says it's the rind itself that holds the real magic.

She explains that as the potatoes simmer, the Parmesan rind infuses them with a rich, savoury depth that's impossible to achieve with butter or milk alone. The result is a subtle, nutty flavour that elevates the humble mash, making it taste restaurant-quality with barely any extra effort.

To try this at home, simply add a cleaned Parmesan rind to your pot of boiling potatoes. Allow it to cook alongside the potatoes, then remove it before mashing as usual. The cheese won't melt into the mash, but it will release its unique flavour, giving your mash a creamy, umami boost.

Nicole recommends freezing your Parmesan rinds, ready to pop into soups, stews, and now, mashed potatoes. She says, "It's a great way to use up every last bit of your cheese and add a delicious twist to classic dishes."

So next time you're making mash, don't throw away that Parmesan rind. Give this chef's secret a try and see if it doesn't become the star of the meal.

For more top food recipes, check out the . Why not try this chilli recipe with an ?