21 Deliciously Clever Ways To Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Got leftover mashed potatoes and don’t know what to do with them? Don’t let them go to waste! There are so many creative and tasty ways to turn those leftovers into something amazing. From crispy potato cakes to savory shepherd’s pie, here are some great recipes to help you make the most of your mashed potatoes.

Easy Fish Pie Recipe With Leeks

A white plate with a serving of creamy chicken and broccoli bake on the left, topped with melted cheese, accompanied by steamed broccoli on the right. A baking dish is visible in the background. — Easy Fish Pie Recipe With Leeks. Photo credit: Cooking Gorgeous.

This fish pie with leeks is a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes. Perfect if you love the comforting flavors of a pot pie.
Get the Recipe: Easy Fish Pie Recipe With Leeks

Easy Cottage Pie

A baked shepherd's pie in a white ceramic dish with a portion removed, revealing ground meat, peas, and carrots under a layer of mashed potatoes garnished with sprigs of thyme. — Easy Cottage Pie. Photo credit: Cooking Gorgeous.

Classic British comfort food made with a rich meaty sauce topped with creamy mashed potatoes. A delicious way to use up your leftover mash.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cottage Pie

Vegan Crab Cakes with Potato

Breaded and fried patties on a bed of leafy greens with lemon slices, served with a creamy dipping sauce in a small white bowl. — Vegan Crab Cakes with Potato. Photo credit: Spabettie.

Tender and crispy vegan crab cakes with potato are a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes. They make a tasty entree, salad topper, or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Crab Cakes with Potato

Potato Cake

A plate of golden brown potato pancakes garnished with chives, accompanied by a small dish of sour cream and a small bowl of chopped chives on a wooden table with a white cloth. — Potato Cake. Photo credit: Foxes Love Lemons.

With just a few simple ingredients, turn leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, creamy potato cakes that are great for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Potato Cake

Leftover Turkey Puff Pastry Pie with Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, and Cheese Sauce

A glass baking dish with a portion of creamy casserole missing, revealing a serving spoon. Nearby are salt in a small dish, garlic, and a green cloth on a wooden surface. — Leftover Turkey Puff Pastry Pie with Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, and Cheese Sauce. Photo credit: An Edible Mosaic.

This turkey puff pastry pie is an easy and tasty way to reinvent Thanksgiving leftovers, including mashed potatoes, broccoli, and cheese sauce.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Puff Pastry Pie with Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, and Cheese Sauce

Mashed Potato Fritters

A plate of golden-brown vegetable patties, garnished with chopped chives, served with a small bowl of white dipping sauce. — Mashed Potato Fritters. Photo credit: CookEatLiveLove.

Easy potato fritters made with mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, and green onions. Quick to make and perfect as a side dish or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Fritters

Potato Cakes

Close-up of a stack of golden-brown fritters garnished with chopped parsley. The fritters have a crispy exterior and appear to be freshly cooked, resting on a white plate. — Potato Cakes Photo credit: Chicken Fried Kitchen.

Irish-style potato cakes are fluffy inside and crispy outside. An easy way to use leftover mashed potatoes and up your brunch game.
Get the Recipe: Potato Cakes

Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes

A plate with multiple mini quiches garnished with chopped green onions. — Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Simply Stacie.

Turn leftover mashed potatoes into fun and fancy savory cupcakes with mushrooms and onions. A creative way to dress up this comfort food!
Get the Recipe: Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes

Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

A close-up view of a partially eaten Shepherd's Pie, featuring a mashed potato topping garnished with chopped parsley and thyme, and a visible filling of meat and vegetables. — Skillet Shepherd’s Pie. Photo credit: Cooking For My Soul.

This skillet shepherd’s pie is a comforting meal with a tasty beef filling topped with fluffy mashed potatoes, baked to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

Close-up of a hand holding a tater tot-like snack with herbs. More of the same snacks are visible in the background. — Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Turn leftover mashed potatoes into crispy potato pancakes. These make a spectacular treat everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

The Best Potato Croquettes

Soft, warm, and comforting mashed potato croquettes are perfect for using up leftover mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: The Best Potato Croquettes

Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes

Fluffy baked potatoes mashed and combined with favorite toppings. Cheesy and rich, these are the ultimate side dish or main entree.
Get the Recipe: Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes

Crispy Potato Tacos

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Vegetarian tacos that are easy to make and budget-friendly. Top with avocado sauce, pico de gallo, yogurt, or sour cream and cheese.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Potato Tacos

Buffalo Blue Cheese Potato Croquettes

Soft and creamy Ranch-flavored mashed potatoes inside with a crispy crust covered in spicy Buffalo Wing sauce. Great as a side dish or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Blue Cheese Potato Croquettes

Easy BBQ Chicken Mashed Potato Casserole

BBQ chicken or turkey mashed potato casserole is easy to make and perfect for using up leftovers. Ready in under 30 minutes and feeds a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Easy BBQ Chicken Mashed Potato Casserole

Leftover Prime Rib Pot Pie

Delicious and comforting way to use leftover prime rib and mashed potatoes. This pot pie features roast meat, frozen vegetables, and gravy topped with mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Prime Rib Pot Pie

Quesadillas de Papas

Cheesy quesadillas stuffed with potato chunks, melty cheese, Mexican crema, and chilies. Transform an ordinary meal into something comforting and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Quesadillas de Papas

Ranch Mashed Potato Cups

Creamy ranch mashed potatoes and bacon in crescent cups. Easy party food and a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Mashed Potato Cups

Crispy Potato Tacos Recipe

This easy crispy potato tacos recipe is a carb-lover’s heaven. Ready in less than 20 minutes and perfect with creamy jalapeno dressing.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Potato Tacos Recipe

Easy Potato and Italian Sausage Soup

Cozy and delicious potato and Italian sausage soup made with extra, leftover potatoes and sausage. Comes together quickly with an immersion blender and a few aromatics.
Get the Recipe: Easy Potato and Italian Sausage Soup

Crispy and Flavorful Air Fryer Potato Puffs Recipe

Potato puffs in an air fryer are a great way to enjoy a tasty snack or side dish. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.
Get the Recipe: Crispy and Flavorful Air Fryer Potato Puffs Recipe

Gina Matsoukas

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.