How to Doctor Up Leftover Mashed Potatoes?

Leftover mashed potatoes can be a great way to save time and money in the kitchen. With a few simple ingredients and some creativity, you can turn those leftovers into an exciting and flavorful meal.

One way to doctor up mashed potatoes is to add butter, cheese, bacon, herbs and/or spices to enhance the flavor. To create a delicious casserole, combine the mashed potatoes with additional ingredients such as diced onions, garlic, and sautéed vegetables. Top with a layer of cheese and bake until golden and bubbly. Another option is to fry the mashed potatoes in a pan with a little butter and oil, forming crispy patties. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and chives for a savory and delicious treat.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to doctor up leftover mashed potatoes, as well as provide some tips for adding flavor and nutrition.

We’ll also provide suggestions for ingredients that work well with mashed potatoes, ideas for toppings, sauces, and garnishes, creative ways to use leftover mashed potatoes, quick recipes using leftover mashed potatoes, and final thoughts on how to doctor up the dish.

What You Need to Know About Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that is enjoyed by many people around the world. It is made from boiled potatoes that have been peeled and mashed with butter and milk or cream until they reach a smooth consistency.

Mashed potatoes are often seasoned with salt and pepper but can also be flavored with herbs or spices. They are a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Eating leftover mashed potatoes is a great way to reduce food waste while still getting the nutritional benefits of this classic side dish.

Leftover mashed potatoes are also convenient because they can be quickly reheated in the microwave or oven. They can also be used in other dishes such as shepherd’s pie or potato pancakes.

Tips for Reheating Leftover Mashed Potatoes

The best way to reheat mashed potatoes is in the microwave. Place them in a microwave-safe bowl or plate and heat for 1-2 minutes on high power until they are hot all the way through.

If you prefer to reheat them in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the mashed potatoes in an oven-safe dish.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes until heated through.

Jazzing Up Your Mashed Potatoes

Adding herbs and spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, or parsley is a great way to add flavor to mashed potatoes.

You can also add grated cheese such as cheddar or Parmesan for extra flavor and nutrition.

For added creaminess, you can stir in sour cream or plain Greek yogurt before reheating the mashed potatoes in the microwave or oven.

In addition to herbs and spices, there are many other ingredients that can be used to enhance the flavor of your leftover mashed potatoes.

To jazz up your mashed potatoes, try adding any of these delicious ingredients:

  • Protein: cooked bacon or ham pieces
  • Veggies: sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic, caramelized onions, diced bell peppers, cooked spinach or kale, cooked beans
  • Seafood: canned tuna or salmon
  • Sauces and spreads: pesto sauce, salsa, tapenade, chutney, nut butter, olives, capers, artichoke hearts, jalapeños
  • Toppings: chopped nuts, seeds, shredded coconut flakes, shredded cheese such as mozzarella or feta cheese, crumbled feta cheese, crumbled blue cheese, chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or chives, sriracha sauce, BBQ sauce, honey mustard sauce, teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, pesto sauce, tahini sauce.

Toppings, Sauces, and Garnishes for Mashed Potatoes

Toppings such as crispy bacon bits or crumbled sausage work well with mashed potatoes as do sauces like gravy or béchamel sauce.

You can also top your mashed potatoes with melted butter or olive oil along with chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or chives for added flavor and color.

For extra crunchy texture try topping your mash with crushed crackers or breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter before baking it in the oven until golden brown on top.

Other garnishes that work well include sour cream dollops, grated cheese (cheddar or Parmesan), diced tomatoes (fresh or canned), sliced olives (green or black), diced avocado cubes (mixed with lemon juice), diced bell peppers (red/yellow/green), diced jalapeños (for added spice), chopped scallions (green onions) etc..

Creative Ways to Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Leftover mashed potatoes can be transformed into a variety of delicious dishes.

Shepherd’s Pie is a classic, but why not get creative and make potato pancakes, latkes, fritters, waffles, breads, muffins, biscuits, or scones?

Potato skins can be stuffed with cheese and bacon bits, while potato croquettes can be filled with savory fillings like minced meat and vegetables.

Vegetarian stuffed peppers can be filled with mashed potato and veggies for a hearty meal, and creamy potato soup can be topped with crispy bacon bits.

Cheesy potato casserole and potato gratin are both delicious when topped with breadcrumbs and parmesan, while a creamy potato salad can be made with mayonnaise and herbs.

Breakfast burritos can be filled with scrambled eggs and mashed potato, and quesadillas can be filled with cheese and mashed potatoes.

Last but not least, macaroni and cheese can be made even more indulgent with a creamy mashed potato layer.

Quick Recipes Using Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients:

  • Leftover mashed potatoes
  • Cooked ground beef/turkey/veggies
  • Grated cheese

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place cooked ground beef/turkey/veggies in the bottom of a baking dish.
  3. Top with layer of leftover mashed potatoes.
  4. Sprinkle grated cheese over the top.
  5. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top.

Potato Pancakes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together mashed potatoes, egg, flour, salt, and pepper.
  2. Form small patties with the mixture.
  3. Fry the patties in hot oil until golden brown on both sides.

Potato Soup

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup onion, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 cup cold milk
  • 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot.
  2. Add onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  3. Add chicken broth, potatoes, thyme, oregano, and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Remove from heat and puree using an immersion blender.
  6. Stir in cold milk and mashed potatoes, then season to taste.

Baked Potato Skins

Ingredients:

  • 4 large baking potatoes
  • Melted butter
  • Salt and pepper
  • ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out insides, leaving ¼ inch thick shells.
  3. Brush shells lightly with melted butter, inside and out.
  4. Sprinkle shells lightly with salt and pepper, inside and out.
  5. Fill each shell evenly with mashed potatoes, then top with grated cheddar cheese.
  6. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes until golden brown on top.

Potato Fritters

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together mashed potatoes, egg, flour, salt, and pepper.
  2. Form small patties with the mixture.
  3. Fry the patties in hot oil until golden brown on both sides.

Potato Waffles

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together mashed potatoes, eggs, flour, salt, and pepper.
  2. Cook waffle batter using waffle maker according desired doneness.

Potato Bread

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup warm water
  • ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped scallions
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley
  • ¼ cup diced jalapeños
  • ¼ cup diced olives
  • ¼ cup diced roasted bell peppers

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together mashed potatoes, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, olive oil, egg, and warm water.
  2. Stir in cheddar cheese, scallions, parsley, jalapeños, olives, and roasted bell peppers.
  3. Mix everything together until dough forms.
  4. Transfer dough onto a floured surface and knead gently a few times, forming a round loaf shape.
  5. Place onto a greased baking sheet.
  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes until golden brown on top.

Potato Biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 2 cups self-rising flour
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • ⅓ cup cold butter, cut into cubes
  • ½ cup cold milk

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together mashed potatoes, flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregano, and butter.
  2. Mix everything together using a pastry blender until dough forms.
  3. Transfer dough onto a floured surface and knead gently a few times, forming round biscuit shapes.
  4. Place onto a greased baking sheet.
  5. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 10 minutes until golden brown on top.

Potato Scones

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 2 cups self-rising flour
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  • ⅓ cup cold butter, cut into cubes

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together mashed potatoes, flour, salt, pepper, and butter.
  2. Mix everything together using a pastry blender until dough forms.
  3. Transfer dough onto a floured surface and knead gently a few times, forming round scone shapes.
  4. Place onto a greased baking sheet.
  5. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 10 minutes until golden brown on top.

Potato Muffins

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • ⅔ cup vegetable oil
  • ⅔ cup white sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted twice
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix together mashed potatoes, eggs, and vegetable oil.
  2. Add sugar and mix until combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix flour and baking powder.
  4. Add dry ingredients to the mashed potato mixture and stir just enough to combine.
  5. Divide batter among muffin tins lined up with paper liners.
  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 18 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a creative and delicious way to save your leftover mashed potatoes, doctoring them up is the way to go.

With the right ingredients, you can make delicious dishes such as potato pancakes, potato soup, and more.

Not only are these dishes delicious and easy to make, but they’ll help you save time, money, and waste. So grab your leftovers, get creative, and make something delicious.