The wonderful thing about cheesy potatoes is that they are typically pretty versatile.
You can serve them as a side dish, put them in an omelet or burrito, or even just eat them straight out of the bowl.
However, what do you do when you have leftover cheesy potatoes?
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Let’s take a look.
Turn them into a hash
This is a great way to use up any leftovers from previous meals.
To do this, just take the leftover potatoes and cook them over medium heat in a pan until they are nice and crispy.
Then you can top them with any of your favorite breakfast ingredients.
Some good choices include eggs, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, onions, and pretty much anything else that is complementary to the flavor of cheesy potatoes.
Give it a pizza twist
Pizza night is always a hit in my family.
To make this recipe, all you have to do is place the leftovers on top of your favorite pizza crust.
Add marinara sauce and any toppings you want.
Just remember that when adding ingredients, make sure it pairs well with the flavor profile of cheesy potatoes.
Add some veggies for a new twist on a classic
If you’re looking to sneak some veggies into your children’s, or your own, diet, then cheesy potatoes are the perfect way to do so.
You can simply take any leftover sautéed vegetables and mix them in with the potatoes.
This will create a slightly healthier dish, and best of all it’s very tasty.
For this recipe, I like to add sautéed broccoli and onion.
Feel free to experiment with different veggies until you find your favorite combination.
Go Tex-Mex by putting them in a burrito or quesadilla
This is another easy way to jazz up the leftover.
Simply take your favorite burrito or quesadilla ingredients, such as beans, salsa, cheese, and sour cream, and blend them with the cheesy potato mixture.
Then you have a delicious Tex-Mex dish that also happens to be very nutritious.
Create a new breakfast casserole
If you love breakfast casseroles but are getting tired of making the same old thing, then you should definitely try this recipe.
Just take your leftovers and add them to an oven-safe dish or pan with any other breakfast ingredients that are complementary in flavor (think things like eggs, bacon, sausage, onions).
Then pop it into the oven for about 20 minutes and you have a delicious breakfast casserole.
Add them to an omelet or scrambled eggs
If you’re not in the mood for a full-fledged dish, then breaking this recipe up into smaller parts allows you to create the perfect cheesy potato flavor without having to worry about leftovers.
Just add your leftover potatoes and any other ingredients to an omelet or scrambled egg.
Make a potato salad
Potato salad is always delicious, but it’s also very versatile.
Just break up any leftover cheesy potatoes into bite-sized pieces and mix them into your favorite potato salad recipe.
You’ll be eating this for days since the flavor combination is just heavenly.
Serve them on the side of your favorite dish
This is my personal go-to recipe.
There are so many flavors out there that will pair perfectly with this dish, and best of all you can mix it up every time you make it.
A few examples include fried chicken, burgers, or any BBQ meat.
Make a breakfast burrito
If you love all-in-one dishes, then this is the recipe for you.
Just take your favorite burrito ingredients (beans, salsa, eggs, cheese), and add them to any leftover cheesy potatoes.
This will create a delicious Mexican dish that satisfies your taste buds and stomach.
Go Hawaiian by adding them into a Loco Moco
This recipe is made with rice, and the best thing about it is you can add any meats or vegetables that you want.
You can either use white rice, brown rice, fried rice, or any other kind of rice that’s complementary to your cheesy potatoes.
Just take your leftover potatoes and add them to your rice, and create the perfect meal.
Can you reheat cheesy potatoes?
Yes, they are one of those dishes that actually taste better as leftovers.
So you can definitely reheat them.
I recommend putting the dish into a pan on low-medium heat for about 5 minutes or until it reaches your desired warmth level.
How to fix hard cheesy potatoes?
If they seem too dry, then feel free to simply add a bit of milk or any other liquid.
I find that the best way to fix dry potatoes is actually putting them into a larger dish with some broth and letting it sit for about 5 minutes.
Then you can eat it as-is, or you can put it onto an omelet or put it into a soup. (source)
Can I freeze leftover cheesy potatoes?
Yes, you can.
You might want to consider cutting the dish into smaller portions so that it’s easier to reheat.
Also, I recommend putting any cheesy potato leftovers into an oven-safe container with aluminum foil on top for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then you have a delicious meal for any occasion.
Why are cheesy potatoes called funeral potatoes?
The true origin of this dish is actually unknown, but there are many theories as to why it’s called funeral potatoes.
I’ve done some research and read a few different interpretations:
- The word “funeral” might have come from the fact that casseroles and dishes like cheesy potatoes were often served at funerals in the 1950s.
- The dish was called “funeral potatoes” because it could often be prepared the night before and then stored in a refrigerator to be reheated at a later date, making them perfect for funerals.
- It might have been called funeral potatoes because of the casserole’s heavy ingredients. Four ingredients that were commonly used in funeral potatoes were: cheese, cream of chicken soup, butter, and potato chips.
- The dish might have been called “funeral potatoes” because it was often served to mourners at funerals.
How long can you keep cheesy potatoes in the fridge?
I recommend eating any leftovers within the first couple of days.
If you do this, then you’re sure to get the full flavor and texture of it.
How do you reheat cheesy potatoes in the microwave?
Put the dish into your microwave for about 5 minutes or until it reaches your desired warmth level.
I recommend putting any leftovers into an oven-safe container with aluminum foil on top for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should I freeze cheesy potatoes before or after baking?
I recommend baking them first, then putting them into the freezer.
This way they will be easier to reheat.
If you do this then just put them into an oven-safe container with aluminum foil on top for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. (source)
How long can cheesy potatoes be frozen?
If you want to freeze them, I recommend doing so within 3 months.
You can put them into an oven-safe container with aluminum foil on top for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
This way they will be easier to reheat.
Where did cheesy potatoes originate from?
It’s still unknown where this dish originated from.
However, some people believe that it was created in the 50s at a small cafe called Sue Ann’s in Salt Lake City, Utah.
How long does it take to reheat cheesy potatoes in a crockpot?
If you want to reheat cheesy potatoes in your crockpot, then just add them into the crockpot and cook on low for about 3 hours.
If you do this, then they will be very easy to reheat.
How long do cheesy potatoes last in the fridge?
I recommend not keeping cheesy potatoes in the fridge longer than one week.
This way you’re sure to get the best flavor and texture.
Conclusion
I hope this was helpful to those of you who love cheesy potatoes as much as I do.
I know that my go-to is usually just oven nachos with leftovers because it’s so easy and tasty.
Let me know if you have any other suggestions on how to eat cheesy potatoes.
Happy cooking.