Why I LOVE Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Written by Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life, Contributing Writer

Heading into the holiday season, keeping meals simple is a must. Days are busy with class parties, extra crafting projects, special outings, and much more.

I love planning delicious holiday meals, but for the everyday, ordinary meals I like to keep the menu plan quick and easy. 

One thing I try to do when preparing for a busy week or season is to make more than what I need so that I can then repurpose it into another meal or two. I double the rice I need so that fried rice can be made quickly later on. Extra chicken can be turned into many different meals. 

And making extra mashed potatoes means I can make one of my favorite repurposed leftover dishes– crispy potato cakes. 

My mom made them for us when I was a child and they were a favorite back then too. Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, when topped with a little pat of butter, they are so yummy.

 

Occasionally, I will make crispy potato cakes for a side with dinner, but more often, I like to enjoy potato cakes at breakfast. They pair very well with a fried egg, bacon or ham, and maybe some cheese or greens. 

This holiday season, if you have leftover mashed potatoes on hand, try making these crispy potato cakes! They are simple to make and sure to please!

Crispy Potato Cakes:

What you need:

• 2-3 C mashed potatoes
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 Tbsp butter

What to do:

1. 1. Mix together potatoes, egg, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl until well-combined. 
2. 2. Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Melt 1/2 Tbsp butter in the pan. Form half the potato mixture into small patties and place in hot pan. Cook for 5 minutes on each side until crispy, gently turning the potato cake halfway through cooking. 
3. 
4. 3. Repeat step 2 with the remaining potato mixture. 
5. 4. Serve warm with extra butter, if desired. 
6. 

Do you have any easy meal ideas to use up left over potatoes?