4 Ways to Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes

You went through all the trouble of peeling, dicing, and mashing those potatoes. Why allow the leftovers to go to waste? Here are four ways to use leftover mashed potatoes the next day, creating an entirely different meal.

Breakfast Burritos

There is nothing quite like a delicious, hearty breakfast burrito to start your morning off right. Begin by chopping up bacon into bite sized pieces. Fry in a skillet until crisp. Add those leftover mashed potatoes and stir until the potatoes are warmed through. In a separate container, mix together a few beaten eggs, cheese (optional) and diced green chilies (optional). Add this egg mixture to the potatoes and bacon, stirring frequently, until the eggs are fully cooked. Serve on warmed flour tortillas.

Ultra Creamy Potato Soup

This is a great recipe if you have an overabundance of leftover mashed potatoes to use up. Add one 16 ounce container of sour cream, one brick of cream cheese, and the potatoes to a large pot. Heat the pot on the stove, stirring the mixture quite frequently. Add milk to thin out the mixture, if needed. Serve the creamy potato soup while still warm. Top with fried bacon, cheddar cheese, and an additional dollop of sour cream, if desired.

Cheesy Hash Brown Cakes

These cheesy hash brown cakes make a great side dish, for any meal of the day! Mix one cup of cheddar cheese with the leftover mashed potatoes in a separate bowl. Coat the bottom of a large skillet with oil or cooking spray. Heat the pan on the stove to medium or medium high heat. Add a large scoop of the mashed potato mixture to the skillet. Immediately pat It flat with a spatula to form a flat "pancake". When the bottom has sufficiently browned, flip it over and brown the other side. Yum!

Chicken Potato Casserole

If you have extra chicken from dinner in addition to your mashed potatoes, consider creating this chicken potato casserole. Dice up several cups of cooked chicken. Spray the bottom of a glass casserole dish with oil or cooking spray. Layer in a one inch thick layer of mashed potatoes and top it with the chicken. Add more potatoes on top, spreading them evenly. Apply a generous helping of cheddar cheese to the top of the casserole. Bake in a 375 degree oven until golden brown. This is also a great idea for leftover holiday ham, turkey, or roast beef.