32 Scrumptious Creative Leftover Mashed Potato Recipes for a Quick Family Meal

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Maryann Desmond

Sometimes, we’re all faced with a common problem – a surplus of leftover mashed potatoes that need to be used up quickly. Fortunately, I’ve got some fantastic solutions for you. With these super cool recipes, you can transform last night’s side dish into tonight’s appetizer or even turn it into something sweet for dessert! There are plenty of creative ideas to go around, covering breakfast, lunch, and beyond.

Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a more substantial meal, I’m confident that you’ll find something you love among these amazing recipes. By saving your leftover mashed potatoes from going to waste, you can enjoy them all over again with a new twist – no need to feel guilty about eating leftovers!

Flourless Mashed Potato Biscuit Delight

Flourless Mashed Potato Biscuit Delight

Very often, individuals look for creative ways to reduce carbohydrates in their diet. A delicious alternative to traditional flour-based biscuits is to use mashed potatoes instead. By baking your mashed ‘taters into biscuits, you can enjoy a tasty breakfast without the need for any wheat products. Simply top these potato biscuits with gravy or your preferred preserves and they will be just as satisfying as their conventional counterparts.

Serve them alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for a hearty farmer’s-style breakfast that is sure to hit the spot.

Gluten-Free Mashed Potato Bread Recipe

Gluten-Free Mashed Potato Bread Recipe

Join the ranks of the adventurous eaters by giving this potato bread a try. Just as mashed potatoes can take center stage in a variety of dishes, they also play a starring role in this innovative recipe, making it an excellent gluten-free option for everyone to indulge in. Jot down this recipe and make it your next weekend project – whether you’re having a lazy Saturday or just want to treat yourself to something special.

Potato and Tortilla Delight

Potato and Tortilla Delight

Adding an extra layer of convenience to this recipe, you can also stuff your mashed potatoes between two tortillas for a super satisfying and easy-to-make dish. The combination of carbs with carbs is always a winner, making this a perfect example of that indulgence. Serve it up as a quick lunch or a last-minute dinner for two, ideal for those busy days when cooking time is limited.

Mashed Potato Fritters with Crunchy Twist

Mashed Potato Fritters with Crunchy Twist

Creating delicious croquettes is easier than you think. Like hush puppies, they’re fried balls of savory dough that can be topped with a variety of ingredients such as sour cream, chives, and even melted butter. The versatility of croquettes makes them an ideal choice for any meal or occasion, whether it’s a casual gathering or a more formal affair. Turning your mashed potatoes into these tasty treats is also a great way to add some excitement to the dinner table.

Mashed Potato Ham Masterpiece Casserole

Mashed Potato Ham Masterpiece Casserole

Often, we overlook the potential of leftover food, but one simple yet delicious example of turning old into gold is transforming mashed potatoes into a mouth-watering casserole. This reimagined dish boasts an irresistible combination of tender ham chunks and a rich, creamy cheese sauce that makes it hard to believe it’s made from scraps. The end result is a truly original taste experience that feels brand new, rather than just a clever reuse of old ingredients.

Mashed Spuds Turn Chocolatey Dream Brownies

Mashed Spuds Turn Chocolatey Dream Brownies

For those who dare to think outside the box, it’s time to unleash your creativity in the kitchen and give mashed potatoes a sweet twist. Imagine indulging in rich, fudgy chocolate brownies that just happen to have a secret ingredient – yes, you guessed it, mashed potatoes! Level up your weekend with these tantalizing treats that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Editor Choice:  25 Deliciously Easy Diced Beef Recipes for a Quick Weeknight Dinner

But before we dive into the world of savory-turned-sweet, let’s get one thing straight: when it comes to these decadent brownies, does it really matter if you’re a traditionalist or an adventurous eater?

Festive Leftovers Turned into Perfect Pizza

Festive Leftovers Turned into Perfect Pizza

Often underutilized, Thanksgiving leftovers can be transformed into a delicious pizza by loading up a frozen crust with an assortment of seasonal ingredients. Simply top the crust with an array of festive foods such as roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and even leftover mashed potatoes to create a truly unique culinary experience.

As you take your first bite, you’ll appreciate how the combination of flavors and textures from the Thanksgiving feast has been reimagined into a tasty and satisfying meal.

Mini Meatloaf Morsels with Potato Frosting

Mini Meatloaf Morsels with Potato Frosting

Lightening up the presentation of a classic meatloaf dish can add a delightful twist to mealtimes. By transforming it into cupcakes, you’re not only making each serving more manageable and visually appealing but also significantly reducing your cooking time. When using mashed potatoes as a savory frosting, remember that these mini cakes are perfect for individual servings, making them ideal for gatherings or family dinners where everyone wants their own portion.

And one of the most significant benefits is that you’ll cut down your cook time by nearly two-thirds compared to baking a traditional loaf.

Transform Leftover Mashed Potatoes into Delight

Transform Leftover Mashed Potatoes into Delight

Pouring over classic British recipes can often lead to creative solutions for leftover Sunday meals. A popular approach is to combine everything in a cast-iron skillet and cook it to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Sweet Spuds: Mashed Potato Donuts Delight

Sweet Spuds: Mashed Potato Donuts Delight

Just imagine starting your day with a sweet and savory combination that will leave you wanting more. Mashed potato donuts may sound unconventional, but they’re surprisingly delicious treats that are sure to become a morning favorite. Simply roll them in cinnamon sugar to create a mouth-watering confection that’s almost too good to be true – almost as tasty as those from your local donut shop, perhaps even better!

Twisted Mashed Potato Waffle Delights

Twisted Mashed Potato Waffle Delights

Crafted to perfection, these savory waffles bear a striking resemblance to the beloved waffle fries. They’re versatile enough to be enjoyed at any time of day, making them an excellent addition to your meal repertoire. Topped with melted cheese, they transform into a distinctive and mouth-watering side dish that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palates.

The classic waffle squares are essentially begging to be filled with a variety of delectable ingredients such as chives or sautéed mushrooms, adding an extra layer of complexity to their flavor profile. While maple syrup is an option, it’s a choice that’s not entirely unanimous among fans of these savory treats.

Mashed Potato Crowned Comfort Classic

Mashed Potato Crowned Comfort Classic

Elevating the humble shepherd’s pie to new heights is easier than you think, especially when topped with a generous helping of creamy mashed potatoes. The beauty of using leftover mashed potatoes lies in their ability to seamlessly blend in with the filling below, eliminating any sense of eating leftovers. By layering these comforting spuds on top, you’ll create a visually appealing dish that’s sure to impress even the pickiest eaters.

Editor Choice:  30 Delicious Low Calorie Beef Mince Recipe Ideas

With corn, green peas, ground beef, and rich gravy all working together in perfect harmony, it’s no wonder this shepherd’s pie is an absolute masterpiece, bringing together the best elements of each component into one incredible culinary creation.

Turkey Potato Dumpling Soup Recipe

Turkey Potato Dumpling Soup Recipe

Unlock a new twist on comfort food classics by substituting chicken with tender white turkey meat in this revamped potato version. The rich flavor of the turkey pairs perfectly with soft and fluffy potato dumplings, all wrapped up in a savory gravy broth that’s sure to become a family favorite. And the best part? You’re using leftovers to create a dish that’s so delicious, no one will ever suspect.

Loaded Potato Soup Recipe

Loaded Potato Soup Recipe

Versatile and comforting, this recipe combines the best flavors of a loaded baked potato into one delicious bowl. With its rich, velvety texture and savory taste, it’s no wonder why many consider it a guilty pleasure. The addition of chives and bacon bits adds an aromatic depth, while the shredded cheese contributes a satisfying creaminess.

But what really sets this soup apart is the clever use of mashed potatoes as a thickening agent, drawing from your leftover potatoes to create a consistency that’s both familiar and indulgent.

Scotch Potato Cakes for Breakfast

Scotch Potato Cakes for Breakfast

Finding yourself with leftover mashed potatoes is not uncommon, and it’s a great opportunity to try out a traditional Scottish dish that’s quick and easy to make – tattie scones!

Mashed Potato Bites Delight

Mashed Potato Bites Delight

Lighten up your mealtime with this fun twist on traditional mashed potatoes! Simply roll them into bite-sized balls for a light and fluffy side dish that’s sure to be a hit with everyone. The best part? They retain all the same delicious flavor you know and love, making them the perfect addition to any plate.

Transforming Mash into Gnocchi Delight

Transforming Mash into Gnocchi Delight

Here’s the thing: turning mashed potatoes into pillowy gnocchi pasta is an absolute delight! It’s a brilliant way to enjoy homemade pasta without breaking a sweat, and shaping them is remarkably easy, even for beginners. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a culinary newbie, this technique is sure to impress. Just imagine smothering these tender gnocchi with your favorite homemade pesto or rich tomato sauce – the perfect combination of flavors that will leave you wanting more!

And don’t worry if store-bought jarred sauces are more your style; your secret’s safe with me.

Potato Dumplings with Savory Sweet Twist

Potato Dumplings with Savory Sweet Twist

Keeping in mind the cultural influence of Eastern Europe, pierogies are an iconic dish that has become increasingly popular worldwide for their rich flavor profile. Typically filled with a mixture of potatoes, onions, and garlic, they offer a delightful combination of savory and slightly sweet notes when served with a side of applesauce.

The versatility of pierogies also allows them to be enjoyed as either an appetizer or the main course in any meal setting, making them a universally loved food that is both simple yet incredibly satisfying.

Transforming Starch into Soft Fluffy Buns

Transforming Starch into Soft Fluffy Buns

Just imagine transforming last night’s leftover mashed potatoes into a scrumptious new treat – soft, fluffy dinner rolls that your family will absolutely adore and fight over. These rolls are so incredibly delicious that you might not even bother waiting for leftovers to appear in the first place. Instead, feel free to whip up some fresh mashed potatoes on a whim, simply because you can’t wait to indulge in them right away.

Editor Choice:  33 Scorching Hot Spicy Chicken Recipes and Ideas for a Quick Weeknight Dinner

Minty Mashed Potato Chocolate Truffles

Minty Mashed Potato Chocolate Truffles

Zeroing in on creative ways to repurpose food, one idea stands out: transforming leftover mashed potatoes into an iconic treat. To recreate this sweet sensation, all you need to do is add a touch of sweetness and a hint of peppermint flavor, then coat each patty in rich, velvety dark chocolate.

Once you’ve mastered this simple yet indulgent recipe, you’ll never be tempted to buy a pack from the store again – instead, your homemade version will surpass any commercial candy in terms of creaminess and minty freshness.

Cheesy Broccoli Mashed Potato Masterpiece

Cheesy Broccoli Mashed Potato Masterpiece

Redefining the classic comfort foods, this mouthwatering casserole brings together two beloved staples in perfect harmony. The addition of leftover mashed potatoes not only adds heft to the creamy broccoli and cheese but also an extra layer of rich flavor, elevating this dish to new heights.

Sweet Mashed Potato Cinnamon Treats

Sweet Mashed Potato Cinnamon Treats

When it comes to creative uses of mashed potatoes, we’ve discovered an exciting application – as a flour substitute in baked treats. By incorporating sweetened mashed potatoes into this recipe, you’ll be able to create a unique twist on traditional cinnamon rolls. To achieve this, simply bake the mixture in the oven and add a glaze for an indulgent finishing touch that will have your family enjoying warm, flaky cinnamon rolls together on a Saturday morning.

Sweet Spuds: Transforming Potatoes into Treats

Sweet Spuds: Transforming Potatoes into Treats

Making waves among dessert lovers, potato candy is a beloved treat that has been delighting kids (and adults) for generations. Morphing mashed potatoes into a sweet dough that can be wrapped around an array of scrumptious fillings is a clever trick that’s easy to master. This recipe, for instance, calls for peanut butter as the filling, but my grandma used to experiment with chocolate and caramel syrups too – showing just how versatile this classic treat can be!

Crispy Mashed Potato Fritters

Crispy Mashed Potato Fritters

Delight your taste buds with this uncomplicated yet delectable recipe that repurposes leftover mashed potatoes. Simply heat them up in a pan, and you’ll have a mouth-watering side dish to accompany your meals at any time of day. This versatile treat can be enjoyed alongside breakfast or saved for dinner, and its crispy exterior and fluffy interior pair perfectly with an array of main courses.

Leftover Mashed Potato Muffins

Leftover Mashed Potato Muffins

Forget about traditional potato pancakes if you’re looking for a twist on this classic dish, because mashed potato muffins are where it’s at! These savory treats offer the perfect make-ahead breakfast solution, saving you time and energy in the morning. Whether you’re a fan of omelets or just want to mix things up, top these moist and flavorful muffins with your favorite ingredients – think cheese, chopped veggies, and more!

You might also like these recipes

Leave a Comment