32 Genius Ways To Use Up Leftover Mashed Potatoes

If making homemade pasta seems like too much of a process, then gnocchi is the easy pasta to try making yourself. This rustic, dumpling-like pasta is much easier to make and shape by hand than ravioli, and once made, you can use it with countless recipes and sauces.

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We've perfected the classic Thanksgiving sandwich, and have created our fair share of creative leftover variations (Thanksgiving crunchwrap and Thanksgiving leftover tacos, we're looking at you), but this cozy casserole just might be our new go-to way to enjoy the holiday leftovers.

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These hearty pastries made up of mashed potatoes, studded with bits of caramelized onion and enveloped in a thin crust—are easy, delicious, and so comforting. Our recipe includes classic potato & onion knishes, spanakopita-style knishes, and samosa-style knishes, but feel free to put your own spin on them.

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Preparing these potato skins is simple, and since you've already done the bulk of the Thanksgiving cooking—or received a generous takeout container of leftovers—all you need for this recipe is a few additional pantry staples: potatoes and cheddar cheese.

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Homemade samosas don't need to be intimidating! The spiced potato filling is fast and easy (especially if you use leftover mashed potatoes), and the dough comes together quickly using melted ghee.

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When you're looking for something warm, comforting, and carb-y, do Polish pierogi come to mind? We think they should, and this cheesy dill version certainly satisfies on all fronts. Loaded with sharp white cheddar, sweet caramelized onions, and creamy mashed potatoes, the only thing more gratifying than making them from scratch is stuffing them in your mouth. 😋

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Tired of the same ol' leftover Thanksgiving sandwich? This crunchwrap is the perfect way to shake things up. Packed full of all the Thanksgiving favorites (pretty much anything goes!), this creative variation is our new favorite way to pack all our holiday leftovers into one handheld wrap.

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Potato croquettes are one of the most popular Spanish tapas (or small plates)—They’re a fantastic way to give day-old mashed potatoes a new life, and are the perfect bite-size appetizer for when you want something more exciting than potato chips that will still hit those same comfort food notes.

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Thanksgiving leftovers aren't regular leftovers, they're *cool* leftovers. Stuffed inside a crescent roll (well, basically a giant crescent roll) they're EVERYTHING.

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We all know how versatile the humble potato is, but have you ever made candy out of it? This classic candy recipe might seem odd when looking at the ingredients (mashed potatoes and peanut butter??), but trust us—this nostalgic favorites is worth trying.

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This just might be the ultimate comfort food meal. Filled with plenty of veggies, creamy mashed potatoes, and an irresistible beef filling, this warming meal combines your sides + main all into one bowl of cozy goodness.

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Friendsgiving nachos are the ultimate way to enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers (with minimal effort). It’s all the elements of Thanksgiving—turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce—PLUS cheese served on top of a bed of crunchy nacho chips.

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What better way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers than by turning them into crispy balls full of all the cheesy, bacon-y goodness we love about loaded mashed potatoes, but in bite-sized form?

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Rule #1 for the day after Thanksgiving: NO COOKING. Seriously, with all of that leftover pickle-brined turkey and creamy mashed potatoes, it would be a crime not to make this sandwich.

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Leftovers have never been so exciting now that you can stuff all those potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce in a crispy, crunchy egg roll wrapper. Serve these with gravy for one of the most ingenious uses for leftovers EVER.

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This savory leek and potato soup can be left chunky or blended smooth, but the best part is the crunchy garnish that tops each bowl. While many recipes using leeks discard the tougher green tops, we reserve them, slice 'em real thin, and stir-fry them until golden for a crispy topping!

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Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish made of creamy mashed potatoes and some green veggie. Most typically you'll find cabbage or kale, paired with some green aromatics like leeks and chives. Here, we opt for a scallion and kale combo for vibrant color and deeper, nuttier flavors.

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These are truly THE Fluffiest. Dinner. Rolls. Ever. Fresh out of the oven, each roll has a crispy bottom, buttery top, and unbelievably soft center. The secret? The starch from the potatoes!

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For a thick, creamy potato soup, mashing half of your potatoes when the soup is almost done will give you that signature texture. Need potato soup fast? Try our classic loaded baked potato soup next.

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Duchess potatoes are a classic French dish made with piped mashed potatoes that are enriched with egg yolks and butter. Basically, they're like fancy tots, and they're perfect alongside anything from a perfectly seared steak to ultra-creamy chicken Dijon. They also work well as a beautiful piping onto shepherd's pie!

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