<human>:  How much time is required to prepare a side dish of mashed potatoes?
<bot>: The amount of time needed to prepare a side dish of mashed potatoes depends on a variety of factors, such as the size and number of potatoes, the type of potatoes being used, the preparation method, and the desired texture and consistency of the mashed potatoes. On average, it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes to prepare mashed potatoes.