After a big holiday celebration or get-together, a variety of foods are often leftover, and some people end up throwing some of it away. This includes mashed potatoes. Leftover spuds can be warmed in a microwave and topped with butter or gravy, but there are also a number of scrumptious ways to use them while creating unique new meals and side dishes. They can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, and they are well-worth saving to use in unique ways each day. The following three ways to use leftover mashed potatoes will help you use every last bite while stretching food dollars in delectable ways.
Thick and Creamy Leftover Mashed Potato Soup
Begin making leftover mashed potato soup for four by peeling and dicing four large red or medium size russet potatoes. Place the diced potatoes in a pan of water and heat to boiling. Melt about one tablespoon of butter in a skillet, and sauté a small diced white or yellow onion. Fry or microwave four slices of bacon until it is very crisp, and set the bacon aside to cool.
When the water begins boiling, turn the flame down, and allow the diced potatoes to cook until tender. Drain the cooked potatoes, and replace the water with milk. Add the sautéed onion, and crumble the cool slices of bacon before adding it to the pan. Stir in enough leftover mashed potatoes to thicken the soup according to personal preference. Heat thoroughly, and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve this thick and creamy leftover potato soup with thick slices of crusty bread or leftover dinner rolls.
Leftover Cheesy Mashed Potatoes without the Skins
Twice baked potatoes are good, but baked cheesy mashed potatoes without the skins are even better. Use leftover mashed potatoes to make a tasty side dish in the oven. This is one of the easiest ways to use leftover mashed potatoes, and everyone in my family loves them.
Begin by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. Mix shredded cheddar cheese into leftover mashed potatoes, and place quarter-cup dollops of the mixture onto greased baking sheets. Top them with grated parmesan cheese, and bake it for approximately fifteen minutes or until light golden. The outside will form a slightly crisp outer shell, and the inside will be creamy, steamy, and flavorful.
Thick and Hearty Leftover Mashed Potato Pie
Brown between one and two pounds of lean ground beef in a skillet along with a small diced onion. Drain away the grease if necessary, and mix in one can of cream of mushroom soup. Pat a thick layer of leftover mashed potatoes into the bottom of a well-greased nine by thirteen inch baking pan, and top it with the meat and soup mixture. Top the meat with a can of well-drained whole kernel corn. Cover the baking pan loosely with aluminum foil, and bake this thick and hearty leftover mashed potato pie until it is heated through. It is a complete meal in a single pan, and chances are nothing will be leftover!
