Have you ever found yourself with an abundance of mashed potatoes leftover after a holiday meal or family gathering? Don't let them go to waste! There are plenty of creative and delicious ways to repurpose those leftovers into new dishes. In this article, we'll share some of our favorite recipes using leftover mashed potatoes, along with instructions and nutrition information.
Ingredient
Before we get into the recipes, let's go over the basic ingredients you'll need for most of them. Of course, the main ingredient is leftover mashed potatoes. You can use any kind of mashed potatoes, whether they're plain or seasoned, with or without dairy. Other common ingredients include: - Flour or breadcrumbs for binding and texture - Eggs or egg whites for binding and moisture - Cheese for flavor and texture - Herbs and spices for seasoning - Vegetables and meats for filling and variety You can customize these recipes to suit your tastes and dietary preferences. For example, you can use gluten-free flour or breadcrumbs, vegan cheese, and plant-based meats if you're avoiding animal products.
Instructions
Now, let's dive into the recipes! We've included five different recipes using leftover mashed potatoes, ranging from savory to sweet. Each recipe includes step-by-step instructions and a list of ingredients.
1. Mashed Potato Pancakes
These savory pancakes are perfect for breakfast or brunch. They're crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a delicious potato flavor. Here's what you'll need: - 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes - 1/4 cup flour - 1 egg - 1/4 cup milk - Salt and pepper to taste - Oil for frying Instructions: 1. In a large bowl, mix together the mashed potatoes, flour, egg, milk, salt, and pepper until well combined. 2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough oil to coat the bottom. 3. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop the potato mixture into the skillet and flatten with a spatula. 4. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. 5. Serve hot with sour cream, chives, or your favorite toppings.
2. Shepherd's Pie
This classic comfort food is a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes and any leftover meat and vegetables you have on hand. Here's what you'll need: - 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes - 1 pound ground beef, lamb, or turkey - 1 cup mixed vegetables, such as carrots, peas, and corn - 1/2 cup diced onion - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon tomato paste - 1/2 cup beef or vegetable broth - Salt and pepper to taste - Shredded cheese for topping (optional) Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 2. In a large skillet, cook the ground meat over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. 3. Add the vegetables, onion, garlic, tomato paste, broth, salt, and pepper to the skillet and stir to combine. 4. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the sauce is thickened. 5. Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish and spread the mashed potatoes on top. 6. Sprinkle with shredded cheese, if desired. 7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
3. Potato Croquettes
These crispy, bite-sized appetizers are perfect for entertaining or as a snack. Here's what you'll need: - 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes - 1/2 cup flour - 2 eggs, beaten - 1 cup breadcrumbs - Oil for frying Instructions: 1. In a large bowl, mix together the mashed potatoes, flour, and one beaten egg until well combined. 2. Using your hands, form the mixture into small balls or croquettes. 3. Dip each croquette in the remaining beaten egg, then roll in the breadcrumbs to coat. 4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough oil to coat the bottom. 5. Fry the croquettes in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. 6. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
4. Potato Waffles
These savory waffles are a fun twist on traditional waffles. They're crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with a delicious potato flavor. Here's what you'll need: - 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes - 1/2 cup flour - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1 egg - 1/2 cup milk - Salt and pepper to taste - Oil for greasing the waffle iron Instructions: 1. Preheat your waffle iron. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the mashed potatoes, flour, baking powder, egg, milk, salt, and pepper until well combined. 3. Grease the waffle iron with oil and spoon the potato mixture onto the iron. 4. Cook according to the manufacturer's instructions, or until the waffles are golden brown and crispy. 5. Serve hot with butter, syrup, or your favorite toppings.
5. Sweet Potato Pie
This sweet dessert is a great way to use up leftover sweet potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes. It's similar to pumpkin pie but with a sweeter, richer flavor. Here's what you'll need: - 2 cups leftover mashed sweet potatoes - 1/2 cup brown sugar - 1/2 cup heavy cream - 2 eggs - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon ginger - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1 unbaked pie crust Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, cream, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until well combined. 3. Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie crust and smooth the top. 4. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. 5. Let the pie cool completely before serving.
Nutrition
Here's a breakdown of the nutrition information for each recipe, based on the ingredients listed: - Mashed Potato Pancakes: Each pancake (assuming 12 pancakes total) contains approximately 90 calories, 3 grams of protein, 12 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of fat. - Shepherd's Pie: Each serving (assuming 6 servings total) contains approximately 400 calories, 25 grams of protein, 30 grams of carbohydrates, and 20 grams of fat. - Potato Croquettes: Each croquette (assuming 24 croquettes total) contains approximately 60 calories, 2 grams of protein, 8 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of fat. - Potato Waffles: Each waffle (assuming 8 waffles total) contains approximately 150 calories, 4 grams of protein, 20 grams of carbohydrates, and 6 grams of fat. - Sweet Potato Pie: Each serving (assuming 8 servings total) contains approximately 350 calories, 5 grams of protein, 45 grams of carbohydrates, and 16 grams of fat. Keep in mind that these nutrition estimates are just rough guidelines and may vary depending on the specific brands and amounts of ingredients you use. If you're concerned about the nutritional content of a particular recipe, you can always consult a registered dietitian or use an online nutrition calculator to get more precise information.
Conclusion
Leftover mashed potatoes don't have to be boring or go to waste. With a little creativity, you can transform them into delicious new dishes that everyone will love. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, there's a recipe out there for you. So next time you find yourself with leftover mashed potatoes, don't hesitate to try one of these recipes and enjoy a tasty and satisfying meal!