Leftover Rescue: 24 Surprising Dishes with Leftover Baked Potatoes

Are you tired of letting those leftover baked potatoes go to waste? Say goodbye to food waste and hello to culinary creativity! In this article, we’ll unveil a collection of 10 unexpectedly delicious ways to transform your leftover baked potatoes into mouthwatering dishes.

From homemade pierogies bursting with flavorful fillings to fluffy potato gnocchi and savory potato muffins, get ready to elevate your meals with these creative and unique ideas. Don’t let those spuds sit idle in the fridge any longer – let’s dive into these ingenious ideas and make the most of your leftovers!

Are baked potatoes good as leftovers?

Absolutely! I love to repurpose my baked potatoes into new dishes that the whole family will love. Here are some great examples:

1. Loaded Baked Potato Bar

Set up a baked potato bar with various toppings for kids to choose from. Offer options like shredded cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, chopped green onions, and salsa. Kids can customize their own baked potatoes with their favorite toppings.

2. Cheesy Potato Skins

Slice baked potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving a thin layer of potato on the skin. Fill the skins with shredded cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a side of ketchup or ranch dressing for dipping.

3. Mini Potato Pizzas

Slice baked potatoes into rounds and arrange them on a baking sheet. Top each round with pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and their favorite pizza toppings such as sliced pepperoni, diced bell peppers, or black olives. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

4. Potato Pancakes

Mash the flesh of baked potatoes and mix it with flour, an egg, and seasoning. Form the mixture into small patties and pan-fry until golden brown on each side. Serve the potato pancakes with ketchup or applesauce for dipping.

5. Potato Nachos

Slice baked potatoes into thin rounds and arrange them on a baking sheet. Top with shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and any other desired toppings. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with salsa and sour cream.

6. Potato Skewers

Cut baked potatoes into cubes and thread them onto skewers alternating with pieces of cooked sausage, cherry tomatoes, and chunks of bell peppers. Brush with olive oil and grill or bake until the potatoes are crispy and the other ingredients are cooked through.

7. Potato & Cheese Tacos

Fill warm tortillas with mashed baked potatoes, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, and a dollop of salsa or guacamole. Kids can customize their tacos with their favorite toppings.

8. Potato Bites

Cut baked potatoes into bite-sized cubes and toss them in a mixture of melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Bake until crispy and serve with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.

9. Potato Soup

Blend the flesh of baked potatoes with chicken or vegetable broth, milk, and seasonings to make a creamy potato soup. Serve with grated cheese on top and some crusty bread on the side.

10. Potato Salad

Cube the baked potatoes and mix them with diced celery, chopped hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings to make a classic potato salad. It’s perfect for picnics or lunchboxes.

11. Stuffed Potato Skins (Twice Baked)

Scoop out the flesh of baked potatoes, leaving a thin layer on the skin. Fill the skins with a mixture of cooked ground meat (like beef or turkey), beans, diced vegetables, and cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

12. Hash Browns

Grate the baked potatoes and mix them with beaten eggs, diced onions, and seasonings. Form the mixture into patties and pan-fry until golden brown on each side. Serve as a delicious breakfast or side dish.

13. Potato and Cheese Quesadillas

Spread mashed baked potatoes and shredded cheese between two tortillas. Cook the quesadillas on a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa or sour cream.

14. Baked Potato Fries

Cut baked potatoes into thin fry-shaped strips, toss them with olive oil and seasonings, and bake until crispy. Serve with ketchup or a dipping sauce of your choice.

15. Mashed Potato Casserole

Mix mashed baked potatoes with cooked and seasoned ground meat, vegetables, and cheese. Spread the mixture in a baking dish, top with more cheese, and bake until bubbly and golden.

16. Potato Nuggets

Cut the previously baked russet potatoes into small cubes or nugget shapes. Dip them in beaten egg and roll them in breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes. Bake or air-fry until crispy and serve them with a side of barbecue sauce or honey mustard.

17. Potato Croquettes

Mash the baked potatoes and mix them with breadcrumbs, grated cheese, and seasonings. Shape the mixture into croquette shapes, coat them in breadcrumbs, and fry until golden and crispy. Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice.

18. Potato and Veggie Fritters

Combine the baked potatoes with grated vegetables like zucchini, carrot, or corn kernels. Mix in beaten eggs, flour, and seasonings. Pan-fry spoonfuls of the mixture until golden and crispy. Serve as a nutritious side dish or snack.

19. Pierogies with Baked Potato Filling

Use your leftover baked potatoes to make a tasty filling for pierogies. Mash the baked potatoes and season them with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Prepare the pierogi dough using flour, eggs, and water. Roll out the dough, cut circles, and fill each with a spoonful of the potato filling. Seal the pierogies and boil them until they float to the surface. Serve them with sour cream or caramelized onions.

20. Potato Gnocchi

Transform the leftover baked potatoes into a tasty batch of homemade gnocchi. Mash the potatoes thoroughly and mix them with flour, an egg, and salt. Knead the dough until smooth, then roll it into long ropes and cut into small pieces. Boil the gnocchi until they float, then toss them in your favorite sauce, such as marinara or browned butter with sage.

21. Potato Breakfast Burritos

Dice the leftover baked potatoes and sauté them with onions, bell peppers, and cooked breakfast sausage or bacon. Fill flour tortillas with the potato mixture, scrambled eggs, and shredded cheese. Roll up the burritos and warm them in a skillet until the cheese melts. Serve with salsa or hot sauce.

22. Potato and Vegetable Hash

Chop the leftover baked potatoes into small cubes and combine them with diced vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and corn. Sauté everything together in a skillet with some olive oil until the vegetables are tender and the potatoes are crispy. Season with your favorite herbs and spices.

23. Potato and Cheese Muffins

Mash the leftover baked potatoes and mix them with grated cheese, beaten eggs, flour, baking powder, and a splash of milk. Spoon the mixture into a greased muffin tin and bake until golden brown and cooked through. These savory muffins make a great snack or side dish.

24. Potato and Spinach Quiche

Line a pie crust with slices of leftover baked potatoes and sprinkle cooked spinach over the top. Beat together eggs, milk, cheese, and your choice of seasonings. Pour the mixture into the crust and bake until set. Enjoy a delicious and filling quiche for any meal of the day.

What to do with leftover baked potatoes?

With these creative ideas for using leftover baked potatoes, you’ll never look at leftovers the same way again. By repurposing those spuds, you can whip up a variety of delicious and kid-friendly dishes that will leave your family asking for more.

Whether you choose to make pierogies, gnocchi, croquettes, or any other mouthwatering creation, these recipes prove that leftover potatoes can be transformed into culinary delights.

So, the next time you have leftover baked potatoes, don’t toss them out. Let your culinary imagination soar and turn them into something extraordinary. Say goodbye to food waste and hello to flavorful possibilities!