23 Recipes Using Leftover Mash Potatoes To Clean Out The Fridge

Using leftover mashed potatoes is a smart and tasty way to reduce food waste while making exciting new dishes. From crispy potato cakes to creamy casseroles, there are endless possibilities. Plus, these recipes make weeknight dinners feel special without much extra effort. Let’s get creative and turn those leftovers into something everyone will love!

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Chocolate Mashed Potato Cake

A close-up of a chocolate cake slice topped with a layer of mocha frosting and sprinkled with chocolate shavings, served on a light blue plate. — Chocolate Mashed Potato Cake. Photo credit: I Heart Eating.

This unique dessert mixes chocolate and mashed potatoes for a rich, moist cake. It’s a fun way to use up leftovers while treating yourself to something sweet!
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Mashed Potato Cake

Potato Tacos Dorados

These crispy Potato Tacos Dorados might be even better than your favorite restaurant’s version. They’re crunchy, delicious, and super easy to make. Just add your favorite salsa and dig in!
Get Recipe: Potato Tacos Dorados

Copycat KFC Famous Bowls

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with crispy fried chicken, melted cheddar cheese, corn kernels, and chopped chives. — Copycat KFC Famous Bowls. Photo credit: A Seasoned Greeting.

Recreate the famous KFC bowls at home! Layer crispy chicken, corn, and gravy over fluffy mashed potatoes for a comforting family meal that’s a great way to use up leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Copycat KFC Famous Bowls -Style

Tortitas de Papa con Atun (Tuna Potato Patties)

A white plate holds five golden-brown potato cakes garnished with fresh cilantro. The plate has a blue floral pattern along its border. Next to the plate are three lime halves and a small bowl of green salsa on a light wood surface. — Tortitas de Papa con Atun. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Tortitas de Papa con Atún are golden, crispy potato patties that are both tasty and easy to make. They’re perfect for any meal and sure to please.
Get Recipe: Tortitas de Papa con Atun

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (5 Ingredients)

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with butter and garnished with chopped herbs. A spoon and fork are placed nearby, along with a small white plate. — Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (5 Ingredients). Photo credit: Chew Out Loud.

This quick Instant Pot recipe takes your mashed potatoes to the next level. With just five ingredients, it’s a fast and easy side dish, especially when you have leftover mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (5 Ingredients)

Baked Potato Flautas

Potato flautas on a white plate topped with lettuce and tomatoes. — Potato Flautas. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Baked Potato Flautas are simple, crispy, and packed with flavor. They’re perfect as a quick appetizer or snack, and your guests will love every bite.
Get Recipe: Baked Potato Flautas

Cinnamon Rolls With Potato Dough

Close-up of a cinnamon roll topped with creamy white icing, placed on a wooden surface. The roll looks fluffy and freshly baked, capturing a warm and inviting atmosphere. — Cinnamon Rolls With Potato Dough. Photo credit: Cooking with Carlee.

Mashed potatoes make these cinnamon rolls extra soft and fluffy. They’re a unique and tasty treat that works perfectly for breakfast or dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Rolls With Potato Dough

KFC Potato Bowl Recipe (Famous Popcorn Chicken Bowl)

A blue bowl filled with mashed potatoes topped with shredded cheese and several pieces of crispy fried chicken. — KFC Potato Bowl Recipe (Famous Popcorn Chicken Bowl). Photo credit: Summer Yule.

This comfort food classic combines crispy popcorn chicken with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s a perfect way to use up leftovers—just add cheese, gravy, and any other toppings you love for a meal everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: KFC Potato Bowl Recipe (Famous Popcorn Chicken Bowl)

Soft & Buttery Potato Rolls

A close-up of several freshly baked bread rolls, golden brown and slightly crusty on top. The rolls are arranged closely together, filling the entire frame. — Soft & Buttery Potato Rolls. Photo credit: Cooking with Carlee.

These light and fluffy dinner rolls use leftover mashed potatoes for added moisture and flavor. They’re a perfect side dish that will impress everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Soft & Buttery Potato Rolls

Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

A slice of casserole featuring layers of seasoned ground meat, creamy mashed potatoes, melted cheese, and crispy bacon on top, served on a scalloped white plate. A fork is visible nearby. — Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This hearty casserole combines savory meatloaf with a creamy mashed potato topping. It’s a comforting dish that makes great use of leftover mashed potatoes and is sure to fill you up.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

Creamy Baked Mashed Potatoes (make-ahead)

A close-up of a dish filled with mashed potatoes topped with melted cheese, crispy bacon bits, and chopped green onions, presented in a white oval serving dish. — Creamy Baked Mashed Potatoes (make-ahead). Photo credit: Chew Out Loud.

This creamy baked mashed potato dish can be made ahead of time—perfect for holiday dinners. Using leftovers saves time and lets you enjoy the meal with family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Baked Mashed Potatoes (make-ahead)

Dutch Oven Shepherd’s Pie

A slice of shepherd's pie with a mashed potato topping sits on a green patterned plate. The filling includes ground meat, corn, and red bell peppers. A sprig of thyme garnishes the dish, and a fork rests beside it. — Dutch Oven Shepherd’s Pie. Photo credit: Quiche My Grits.

Cooking shepherd’s pie in a Dutch oven adds a cozy touch. Topped with leftover mashed potatoes, it’s a warm and filling meal that’s perfect for chilly nights.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Shepherd’s Pie

Gluten Free Chocolate Potato Cake

A piece of chocolate cake topped with a dollop of whipped cream on a white plate, with more cake pieces in the background. The cake is dusted with powdered sugar and placed on a light-colored surface near a fork. — Gluten Free Chocolate Potato Cake. Photo credit: Well Fed Baker.

This rich, moist chocolate cake uses mashed potatoes to create a unique and delicious dessert. It’s a clever way to use up leftovers while satisfying your sweet tooth.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Chocolate Potato Cake

Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

Six golden-brown pancakes arranged in a curved line on a white rectangular plate, garnished with chopped green onions scattered over and around the pancakes. — Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

These fluffy pancakes are made with leftover mashed potatoes for a fun twist on breakfast. Serve them with syrup for something sweet or savory toppings for a heartier meal.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes

Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes

A muffin tin filled with savory muffins, garnished with chopped green onions. The muffins are golden brown with a crispy texture visible on top. The background is a marble countertop with a light checkered cloth in the corner. — Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Simply Stacie.

Turn your leftover mashed potatoes into fun, individual servings by baking them in muffin tins. These mini potato bites are perfect for busy weeknights and make a great side dish.
Get the Recipe: Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes

Easy Loaded Mashed Potato Bowls

A bowl of creamy mashed potatoes topped with corn, crispy bacon bits, chives, and a dollop of sour cream, with a spoon on the side. — Easy Loaded Mashed Potato Bowls. Photo credit: All in the Family Recipes.

Load up your mashed potatoes with cheese, bacon, and green onions for a hearty, customizable dish. It’s a fun and tasty way to turn leftovers into a satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Loaded Mashed Potato Bowls

Cheesy Potato Fritters

Close-up of crispy fritters topped with a dollop of cream and garnished with fresh dill on parchment paper. A small bowl with a creamy dip is partially visible in the upper left corner. — Cheesy Potato Fritters. Photo credit: White Kitchen Red Wine.

These cheesy potato fritters are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They’re a delicious way to use up leftover mashed potatoes—perfect as a snack or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Potato Fritters

Easy Potato Pancakes

A stack of golden-brown potato pancakes on a plate, garnished with a small bunch of fresh basil leaves. In the background, a dollop of sour cream and a fork can be seen. — Easy Potato Pancakes. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

These crispy potato pancakes are a simple and tasty way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. They’re quick to make and work as a side dish for any meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Potato Pancakes

Easy Lentil Shepherd’s Pie (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Four individual servings of shepherd's pie in white ramekins, topped with golden, crispy mashed potatoes and garnished with chopped herbs. They are arranged in a grid-like pattern on a white background. — Easy Lentil Shepherd’s Pie (Vegan, Gluten-Free). Photo credit: Strength and Sunshine.

This vegan shepherd’s pie uses lentils for a hearty filling and leftover mashed potatoes for the topping. It’s a comforting, plant-based meal that’s both creative and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lentil Shepherd’s Pie (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Irish Potato Bread

Three pieces of flatbread on a white plate, arranged in a circular pattern. The bread is lightly charred, and one piece has a square of butter melting on top. The background is plain white. — Irish Potato Bread. Photo credit: Strength and Sunshine.

Irish potato bread uses mashed potatoes to add extra moisture and flavor. It’s a warm, comforting loaf that’s perfect for breakfast or alongside soups and stews.
Get the Recipe: Irish Potato Bread

Ranch Mashed Potato Cups

A muffin tin holds mini baked potato bites topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with green herbs. Each bite is in a golden brown pastry cup, filled with creamy mashed potatoes. — Ranch Mashed Potato Cups. Photo credit: Erica’s Recipes.

These ranch-flavored mashed potato cups are a fun, bite-sized appetizer. Filled with cheese and topped with crispy bacon, they’re a tasty way to turn leftovers into something special.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Mashed Potato Cups

Vegan Potato Cakes with Carrot and Rice

Three crispy, golden-brown cakes with herbs are arranged on a light blue plate. A fork rests on the edge of the plate. The background includes a white surface with red pepper flakes scattered around. — Vegan Potato Cakes with Carrot and Rice. Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

These vegan potato cakes mix leftover mashed potatoes with carrots and rice for a filling, satisfying meal. They’re easy to make and can be baked or pan-fried.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Potato Cakes with Carrot and Rice

Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe: Irish Pub-Style

A savory pie in a cast iron skillet with a golden, crispy crust sits on a wooden table. A white cloth and wooden spoon are placed beside it, adding a rustic touch to the presentation. — Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe: Irish Pub-Style. Photo credit: Chicken Fried Kitchen.

Shepherd’s pie is the ultimate comfort food, and using leftover mashed potatoes for the topping makes it even easier. With savory ground meat and veggies, it’s a warm, hearty dish the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe: Irish Pub-Style