13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (2024)

RecipesThanksgivingNews

These might even be better than first-day mashed potatoes.

By

Julie R. ThomsonTaste Senior Editor, HuffPost

Everything Thanksgiving: Get all our Thanksgiving recipes, how-to’s and more!

Leftover mashed potatoes are rarely as creamy or as moist as they are on the day they’re made. That’s why, when you’re faced with a big bowl of leftover spuds, you shouldn’t just reheat them ― you should reimagine them in different forms.

We’re talking about using mashed potatoes as a stepping stone to other great meals like croquettes, puffs and even waffles. (Yes, you can absolutely do waffle mashed potatoes.)

Next time you find yourself faced with more leftover mashed potatoes than you know what to do with, consider one of these outside-the-box ideas.

Advertisem*nt

1

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (1)

Pinch of Yum

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Get the Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie recipe from Pinch of Yum

2

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (2)

Just A Taste

Cheesy Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

Advertisem*nt

4

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (4)

Oh Sweet Basil

Cheesy Loaded Potato Bombs

Get the Cheesy Loaded Potato Bombs recipe from Oh Sweet Basil

5

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (5)

Joy The Baker

Mashed Potato, Cheddar and Chive Waffles

6

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (6)

Half Baked Harvest

Thanksgiving Leftover Waffle Melts

Advertisem*nt

7

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (7)

Claire Sutton/Things We Make

Potato, Pancetta and Cheddar Baked Eggs

8

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (8)

Cinnamon Spice And Everything Nice

Leftover Mashed Potato Puffs

Get this Leftover Mashed Potato Puffs recipe from Cinnamon Spice And Everything Nice

9

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (9)

The Endless Meal

Potato Croquettes

Advertisem*nt

10

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (10)

Spicy Southern Kitchen

Potato Rolls

Get the Potato Rolls recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen

11

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (11)

Minimalist Baker

One-Hour Shepherd's Pie (Vegan)

Get the One-Hour Shepherd's Pie recipe from Minimalist Baker

12

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (12)

How Sweet It Is

Pierogi Pizza

Get this Pierogi Pizza recipe from How Sweet It Is

Advertisem*nt

13

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (13)

Spicy Southern Kitchen

Fried Mashed Potato Balls

Get the Fried Mashed Potato Balls recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen

Support HuffPost

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

Your Loyalty Means The World To Us

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.

Dear HuffPost Reader

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Dear HuffPost Reader

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circ*mstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost

Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.

Before You Go

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (14)

27 Kitchen Products From Amazon You'll Use So Often, They'll Practically Pay For Themselves

Popular in the Community

Close

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes (2024)

FAQs

13 Brilliant Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes? ›

Another nice thing about leftover mashed potatoes is that you can use them as a blank canvas and add in other ingredients. Stir in some sour cream, grated garlic, and chives, or add a generous amount of grated parmesan and cracked black pepper. With so many different ways to flavor them, you'll never be bored.

How do you jazz up refrigerated mashed potatoes? ›

Another nice thing about leftover mashed potatoes is that you can use them as a blank canvas and add in other ingredients. Stir in some sour cream, grated garlic, and chives, or add a generous amount of grated parmesan and cracked black pepper. With so many different ways to flavor them, you'll never be bored.

How long are leftover homemade mashed potatoes good for? ›

How Long You Can Keep Leftover Mashed Potatoes. Mashed potatoes should easily last three to five days in the fridge if stored correctly and within two hours of cooking. This means ensuring there isn't any moisture buildup under the lid that could encourage the growth of bacteria.

Should you add milk when reheating mashed potatoes? ›

Reheat in the Oven

Here's her method for reheating mashed potatoes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add a dash of cream or milk, and some more butter to the dish before baking. To further avoid dryness, don't skimp on butter and other dairy products.

How do you make leftover mashed potatoes creamy again? ›

For the methods mentioned here, it's best to reheat your potatoes low and slow to keep them from drying out. In the microwave and oven, make sure to keep your mashed potatoes covered, and don't be afraid to add in a bit of butter and milk to bring the moisture and fluffiness back!

Can you freeze mashed potatoes for later use? ›

While most chefs advocate for making them fresh, mashed potatoes can be made ahead and frozen until ready to use.

Can I eat mashed potatoes after 7 days? ›

Potatoes sometimes cause food poisoning. To avoid getting sick, be sure to eat cooked potatoes within 4 days and immediately throw away any potatoes that show signs of mold.

Are cold mashed potatoes good for you? ›

Simply put, the level of resistant starch in a cooked and cooled potato increases dramatically. This action improves the nutritional quality of the potato because it increases the dietary fibre load in the colon, and contains the type of resistant starch which is prebiotic.

Is it better to reheat mashed potatoes in oven or microwave? ›

The Oven Is the Best Way to Reheat Mashed Potatoes

Though you can totally put leftover mashed potatoes in the microwave or on the stove, the oven is our recommended method for the creamiest, pillowiest mashed potatoes.

How do chefs keep mashed potatoes warm? ›

When time is limited and mashed potatoes are a "must have" on the menu (which is always), keep the prepared potatoes warm by placing them in a heat-resistant bowl, covering, and setting it over a pot of simmering water. The potatoes should still be tasty 2 to 3 hours later.

Is it safe to reheat mashed potatoes twice? ›

If food has been hygienically prepared, cooled quickly after cooking (or reheating) and stored cold, reheating more than once should not increase the risk of illness. But prolonged storage and repeated reheating will affect the taste, texture, and sometimes the nutritional quality of foods.

What not to do with mashed potatoes? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make With Mashed Potatoes
  1. You Don't Wash Potatoes First. ...
  2. You Use Just One Type of Potato. ...
  3. You Don't Season the Water. ...
  4. You Add Potato Pieces to Boiling Water. ...
  5. You Use the Wrong Gadget to Mash the Potatoes. ...
  6. You Only Use Butter. ...
  7. You Make the Potatoes Too Soon.
Jun 15, 2021

Why are Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes so good? ›

Made with fresh red skin potatoes, butter, and real buttermilk, Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes tastes like homemade. We put extra care into making our mashed potatoes rich and creamy to deliver that homemade flavor your family expects. Easily prepared in the microwave, Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes are a true timesaver.

What does Rachael Ray use to mash potatoes? ›

Mash potatoes with half-and-half or milk using a potato masher. Add in the cream cheese and smash until the cheese melts into the potatoes. Add chives or scallions. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste.

How do restaurants keep mashed potatoes fresh? ›

Restaurants prepare the potatoes ahead by boiling and mashing just the potato, then just before serving, it is mixed into boiling cream (or milk or even broth or a combination thereof) to reheat it and make it nice and creamy.

What does soaking potatoes do for mashed potatoes? ›

You soak the potatoes in iced water before they are cooked. This eliminates much of the starches in the potatoes, resulting in a super light and fluffy mash. It's also like when you make rice.

What does cold milk do to mashed potatoes? ›

Adding cold dairy to your mashed potatoes also cools the mash down — and very few people like cold mashed potatoes. Ready to put this tip into action? Bring the milk and butter to at least room temperature or, better yet, gently heat them on the stovetop before adding them to your potatoes.

What is the best way to reheat potatoes? ›

Set your oven to 350 degrees F. Step 2: Leave unwrapped to bake. Place one or more unwrapped potatoes on a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack. Reheat in the middle of the oven until just hot in the center, 15 to 20 minutes.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Delena Feil

Last Updated:

Views: 6033

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Delena Feil

Birthday: 1998-08-29

Address: 747 Lubowitz Run, Sidmouth, HI 90646-5543

Phone: +99513241752844

Job: Design Supervisor

Hobby: Digital arts, Lacemaking, Air sports, Running, Scouting, Shooting, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Delena Feil, I am a clean, splendid, calm, fancy, jolly, bright, faithful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.