Wondering what to do with leftover mashed potatoes? Cold mash is a head start on a dozen dishes — it crisps into cakes, tops a shepherd’s pie, and even becomes gnocchi. Here are five ways to turn yesterday’s side into today’s meal. Have other leftovers to clear out too? DinnerForToday will combine them into one recipe for you.
Golden, pan-fried patties with a fluffy middle — the best leftover-mash recipe there is.
Ingredients 2 cups leftover mashed potato 1 egg 1/3 cup flour 1/2 cup grated cheese 2 spring onions Salt, pepper, oil Method 1 Mix the mash with the egg, flour, cheese and spring onions. 2 Shape into patties and dust lightly with flour. 3 Fry in a little oil 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Leftover mash makes the perfect topping for a quick shepherd’s pie.
Ingredients 2.5 cups leftover mashed potato 400g minced beef or lamb 1 onion, diced 1 cup mixed vegetables 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 cup stock 1/2 cup grated cheese Method 1 Brown the mince with the onion, then stir in the vegetables. 2 Add the tomato paste and stock; simmer 10 minutes. 3 Transfer to a dish and spread the mash on top. 4 Scatter with cheese and bake at 200°C for 20 minutes until golden. Turn cold mash into pillowy gnocchi with just flour and an egg.
Ingredients 2 cups leftover mashed potato 1 egg 1.25 cups flour 1/2 tsp salt Sauce of choice to serve Method 1 Mix the mash, egg, salt and enough flour to form a soft dough. 2 Roll into ropes and cut into bite-size pieces. 3 Boil in salted water until they float, about 2 minutes. 4 Toss with your favourite sauce and serve. Leftover mash thickens this soup in minutes — no peeling required.
Ingredients 2 cups leftover mashed potato 4 cups stock 1 onion, diced 2 cloves garlic 1/2 cup cream 1 tbsp butter Salt, pepper, chives Method 1 Soften the onion and garlic in the butter. 2 Whisk in the stock and the mashed potato until smooth. 3 Simmer 10 minutes, then stir in the cream. 4 Season and finish with chives. Crunchy outside, molten cheese inside — a brilliant party snack.
Ingredients 2.5 cups leftover mashed potato 1 cup grated cheese 2 eggs 1 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup flour Oil for frying Method 1 Mix the mash with the cheese and shape into small logs. 2 Coat each in flour, then beaten egg, then breadcrumbs. 3 Fry in hot oil until deep golden all over. 4 Drain on paper towel and serve hot. Add what’s already in your fridge and DinnerForToday’s AI builds the perfect recipe around it in seconds.
