What to do with leftover mashed potatoes

Anything but throw them away.

There’s no such thing as too much mashed potatoes, until, of course, you clear the table and there’s still a pile of them at the bottom of the serving dish. Of course, you can reheat the potatoes the next day and serve as a bed for any other leftovers you might also have, but there is another way.

From gnocchi to hash browns, you can turn leftover mashed potatoes into more than you think.

Related: 22 Leftover Turkey Recipes for the Days After Thanksgiving

Seven Ways to Enjoy Leftover Mashed Potatoes

If you’re stuck on how to make leftover mashed potatoes appealing, these new techniques will be a much-needed break from the usual tactics.

1. Potato pancakes

Turn leftover mashed potatoes into fluffy savory pancakes loaded with your favorite savory mix-ins like bacon, chives, salty feta, or tangy capers. Use a little flour and an egg to bind the cold mashed potatoes until the mixture holds together when patted into a disk shape. Fry the pancakes in neutral oil until golden brown on both sides. Serve hot topped with sour cream.

2. Duchess potatoes

Prepare leftover mashed potatoes into beautiful kissing shapes and bake them again for a new take on a potato side dish. Crispy on the outside but still soft in the center, these leftover potatoes will be unrecognizable when decorated like this.

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3. Potato waffles

Add a little flour and an egg to these potatoes, then get out the waffle iron, because mashed potatoes make great waffles. Stir in cheese, sliced ​​green onions, or other fresh herbs for added flavor, and top with a fried egg for a great breakfast.

4. Shepherd’s pie

Use leftover mashed potatoes to top this classic comfort casserole. The best part is that the meat filling relies mostly on pantry staples, like onions, beef broth, and frozen vegetables that you probably already have on hand.

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5. Potato rolls

Mashed potatoes make some of the fluffiest buns (regular mashed and sweet potato). Incorporate leftovers into pasta for a soft, refined texture. And guess what, it’s the same for cake…

6. Potato casserole

Take mashed potatoes from side dish to main dish with our Twice-Baked Potato Casserole recipe, which bulks up leftovers with bacon, cheddar, and green onions. Although there’s nothing stopping you from adding more of your favorite baked potato toppings like broccoli, shredded pork, or jalapeños.

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7. Gnocchi

These Italian potato dumplings start by cooking and mashing potatoes, so if you have any leftovers, you’re already halfway through the pasta. You will need to work with a little flour until the potatoes form a dough, but be gentle and sparing, as too much flour or kneading will result in dense or gummy gnocchi.

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How to Store Leftover Mashed Potatoes

You can store cooled mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Mashed potatoes also freeze well; simply place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and store them for up to three months. Thaw the mashed potatoes overnight in the refrigerator before using.

How to Reheat Leftover Mashed Potatoes

We prefer to reheat mashed potatoes on the stove or in the oven, because the microwave, although convenient, tends to dry them out. Even when reheating on the stove or in the oven, you may need to add a little extra milk or cream to revive their creamy texture.

Related: How to Reheat Mashed Potatoes Without Drying Out Them