Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that everyone seems to love.
But what do you do when you have leftover mashed potatoes and gravy?
Here are some quick ideas of mine to help you out.
Let’s take a look at them.
Mashed potato pancakes
Making mashed potato pancakes is a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes and gravy.
To make the mashed potato pancakes, take some leftover mashed potatoes and mix them in an egg.
Season with salt and pepper if needed.
Shape into small patties about four inches across and half an inch thick (should make six or seven).
Heat a pan on medium heat and add a little butter.
Cook the patties for a few minutes on each side until they are golden brown and heated through.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream or applesauce for a delicious breakfast or side dish.
Poutine
Poutine is a classic Canadian dish that can be made using leftover mashed potatoes and gravy as a base.
To make poutine, layer french fries with cheese curds and gravy in a cup.
Add more fries on top if desired.
The heat of the gravy melts the cheese just enough to create a delicious gooey sauce that you can dip your french fries into or eat as is.
Mashed potato waffles
Making mashed potato waffles with leftover mashed potatoes and gravy is a fun way to mix up breakfast.
To make the mashed potato waffles, cook some thick-cut bacon until crisp and set aside on paper towels.
Make your waffle batter according to package directions or if making your own from scratch, add in some mashed potatoes and try reducing the amount of flour you add.
Grease your waffle iron with some cooking spray and cook the waffles according to package directions or until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream, maple syrup, and crispy bacon bits.
Loaded baked potatoes with chili and cheese
Using leftover mashed potatoes and gravy in place of some or all of the potatoes is a great way to turn your baked potatoes into something special.
To make the loaded baked potatoes with chili and cheese, cut some leftover mashed potatoes down to size so they can fit in your oven-proof dish (use about three cups).
Bake at 400°F for twenty minutes.
Add on some warm chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions.
Return to the oven until the cheese is melted.
Serve with some guacamole for a delicious combination of flavors that will have everyone asking you for more.
Mashed potato soup
There are lots of ways to make a delicious and hearty soup with leftover mashed potatoes and gravy.
To make the mashed potato soup, cook some bacon until crisp and set aside on paper towels; crumble after it cools.
Sweat some chopped vegetables such as onion and garlic in your pot with oil or butter for about five minutes.
Add in your stock and potatoes and simmer until the potatoes are tender.
Use a stick blender to puree until smooth.
Add in some milk and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Finally, add in about half of the leftover mashed potatoes and stir well into the soup to give it a thicker consistency.
Ladle into bowls and serve topped with crumbled bacon and fresh chives for a delicious soup that tastes great on its own or with some bread.
Shepherd’s pie
Shepherd’s pie is a classic recipe that can be turned into an easy weeknight meal using leftover mashed potatoes and gravy as your potato topping.
To make shepherd’s pie, heat some oil in a pan and cook some ground beef until browned.
Add in the rest of your ingredients such as corn, peas, green onions, cumin, and salt and pepper.
Pour in some gravy, stir well to mix together with the beef, and reduce heat.
Spoon your mashed potato mixture on top of the meat mixture and bake for about twenty minutes at 350°F until warmed through.
Mashed potato pizza
Craving pizza but do not want to make or go pick up a pizza? Try making your own personal mashed potato pizzas at home instead.
To make mashed potato pizza, roll out some dough on a flat baking sheet or stone if you have one available.
Spread the crust with gravy.
Top with cooked ground beef seasoned with cumin and garlic powder, shredded cheese, corn, green onions, and any other veggies you like.
Cook for about twenty minutes at 425°F until golden and crispy on the outside.
How do you make leftover mashed potatoes taste good?
You can start by adding in extra ingredients such as bacon, cheese, and green onions.
You can also use the mashed potatoes to make grilled cheese sandwiches or top some bread with it for an easy open-faced sandwich.
If you want to eat your leftover mashed potatoes cold, try topping them with some rich cream cheese or sour cream. (source)
Can you store mashed potatoes with gravy?
Yes, you can store it for three to four days in the refrigerator.
To get the longest life out of your leftover mashed potatoes, use clean and dry Tupperware or an airtight container.
You can also freeze it by putting the mashed potatoes in freezer-friendly bags or containers so you can thaw them out when you are ready to eat them.
How do you reheat mashed potatoes and gravy?
You can reheat your leftover mashed potatoes by putting them in the microwave for about two minutes.
You could also use the stovetop by heating some oil or butter in a pan and cooking your potatoes with some chopped onions until tender. (source)
What do you make with leftover gravy?
Leftover gravy is great to turn into soups, stews, and even gravies to top your meats with.
You can use gravy as a base for beef stroganoff or add it to rice to make an amazing risotto.
You can also mix it with cooked ground beef, peas, corn, and whatever other veggies you have on hand to make a great shepherd’s pie that will be gone before you know it.
What do you eat with mashed potatoes?
You can eat your leftover mashed potatoes as a side to any meat dish such as beef, chicken, or pork.
You could also eat them as dinner by themselves topped with some gravy and cheese.
Try making a baked potato casserole with your leftover mashed potatoes using shredded cheese, sour cream, and some breadcrumbs to make a creamy potato bake. (source)
How do you make mashed potatoes fluffy?
To get your mashed potatoes fluffy, use cold milk or cream instead of hot milk or broth.
Make sure that your potatoes are cooled completely before mashing them to ensure that the starch granules swell up properly once they are in hot water.
Do not mix your potatoes too much and do you use a hand-held mixer instead of an electric mixer to ensure that the starch granules stay intact.
Can you freeze mashed potatoes?
Yes, you can freeze them in freezer bags or Tupperware containers for up to two months.
Make sure to tell how much time is left on the package so you know how long they have been out of the freezer before they go bad.
Try not to freeze them with butter, milk, or cream already added to keep them tasting better when they are thawed and heated up.
How do restaurants keep mashed potatoes warm?
Restaurants keep their mashed potatoes warm by placing them in slow cookers, on low heat stoves, or they are kept in a warmer.
Some restaurants also use steam tables to keep their food hot for long periods of time.
Conclusion
These are just some quick ideas on what to do with leftover mashed potatoes and gravy, but feel free to get creative with your leftovers and let me know if you have any great recipes that I missed in the comments below.
I hope you enjoyed today’s post.
I really believe that there is no need to waste food when so many people are struggling with finding enough to eat.
Please help by donating to your local food bank or even just sharing this article with family and friends.
Thanks.