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18+ Meal Ideas to Make Use of Your Potatoes

18+ Meal Ideas to Make Use of Your Potatoes

If you are looking for some creative ways to step up your spud game during the Coronavirus pandemic, this is the list for you! We have found some great ways to help you make the most out of your favorite pantry staples, like potatoes in this case.

These are some recipes that range from your standard mashed potatoes, ways to make potato bread and making a yummy potato salad. This is perfect for families, couples and individual cooks who are looking for ways to stick to their budget while trying new foods. Feel free to use the potato of your choosing!

Mashed Potatoes? Why not change it up!

These are some great potato recipes for any home cook to give a try. Ranging from your typical buttery mash to improving the box of instant potatoes in the cupboard, there is an option for every potato lover.

Basic Mashed Potatoes from Allrecipes, created by Esmee William

Although it says ‘basic’ in the title, this recipe is great for the old-fashioned mashed potato fans. This delicious dish can be utilized by families of all sizes. 

The best part is that it requires only some very basic pantry staples that most people will find in their kitchens. The Allrecipes directions call for baking potatoes, butter, and milk. Once the texture is smooth and creamy, add some salt and pepper as preferred, then you are ready to serve!

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes from the Food Network, created by Nancy Fuller

For the cheesy potato lover, here is an easy recipe for those who want to change up their regular mashed potatoes recipe by adding some cheese! 

Once you have finished mashing the potatoes with the milk, seasonings and butter, simply fold in some shredded cheddar cheese until melted. This Food Network recipe makes for a great side dish for any meal!

Aunt Bee’s 3 Ingredient Cheesy Potato Casserole from the Seasoned Mom, Blair Lonergan

If you are looking for a creamy, delicious alternative to your mashed potatoes, this is the recipe for you. Requiring only red potatoes, sour cream and shredded cheese, The Seasoned Mom knows that this will quickly become a dinner staple for you and your family

Using these key ingredients will allow the casserole to become rich and creamy in no time. The best part, any leftovers will last up to 24 hours in the refrigerator making it two meals in one!

How to Make Instant Mashed Potatoes Better from the Tablespoon Kitchen team

What a great way to change it up with this recipe. Find the best way to take your box of plain, instant mashed potatoes to the next level. Use some of these helpful tips and tricks!

Instant potatoes are simply dehydrated potatoes, so a great alternative to mixing with water would be to add chicken broth instead. You can replace all or half of what the recipe calls for on the box. Not only will this make your potatoes creamier, but your potatoes will still retain its flavor!

Another alternative would be to replace the water with milk, half and half or dilute the mixture using evaporated milk. 

If you’re looking to add some flavor to your potatoes, some tasty ideas would be to add some garlic or garlic powder, shredded cheese, ranch for zestiness, dill, chives or bacon for crunch!

Lastly, a great trick to help thicken your mashed potatoes is by adding more potatoes. Diced potatoes are a great tool to help with this when you are in snag. However, Tablespoon suggests that you can also add some sour cream, cream cheese or plain greek yogurt. Just remember to use less milk from the start!

Baked, Roasted, or Fried? Which Do You Prefer?

There are an endless amount of techniques to try when preparing your potatoes. Whether you are looking for the perfect recipe to obtain crispness or you are wondering about new ways to decorate your baked potato, these recipes will be helpful to you!

Perfect Baked Potatoes from Spend With Pennies, created by Holly Nilsson

There are many different ways to make baked potatoes. However, this recipe is one of the simplest to follow and offers many ways to upgrade your toppings! 

Once you are finished preparing and cooking the potatoes with salt and olive oil, Spend With Pennies recommends serving with toppings such as: bacon, sour cream, cheese, green onions, salsa or white onions.

Baked potatoes can also be made into a main dish! Simply add these combinations to try something new and make the most of your baked potatoes:

  1. Chili, cheddar shredded cheese, and corn chips.
  2. Taco meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream.
  3. Alfredo sauce, steamed broccoli, and cheddar cheese.

Easy Skillet Fried Potatoes from The Spruce Eats, created by Diana Rattray

This is another fantastic and versatile dish to use as a side or the main course. The Spruce Eats offers a quick way to prepare your favorite type of potatoes with this stove top recipe!

By mixing in some bell peppers, onion and garlic, home cooks will be able to step up their potato game in a fun and healthy way. You can also add some bacon or herbs over the potatoes for extra flavor!

One tip included in the recipe would be to pre cook your potatoes in the microwave for about 5 minutes to help shorten the overall cook time. 

Perfect Roasted Potatoes from the Minimalist Baker team

Not only is this a quick and easy recipe to follow, the Minimalist Baker utilizes minimal ingredients that you can find in your kitchen!

It is recommended to thinly slice your baking potatoes, coat them with oil and toss with the seasoning of your choosing. Salt and pepper is great, but you can also try thyme, oregano, or rosemary. 

One tip is to make sure that the pan is not overcrowded to ensure that the potatoes roast instead of steam. 

Easy Boiled Potatoes from The Little Potato Company, created by Ashley Fehr

Requiring only 5 household ingredients, this boiled potatoes recipe from The Little Potato Company takes 2 steps to prepare and 15 minutes to cook! A great side dish to pair with any meal and is a filling choice for households of all sizes.

Perfect Potato Side Dishes for Anyone!

Potatoes can be made into pretty much anything. Why not get creative with your side dishes?

Homemade Crispy Seasoned French Fries from Allrecipes, created by Cassie

In just 30 minutes, you could make the best french fries in your very own oven. If you are a fry enthusiast, try this recipe by Allrecipes to help you get your fill!

Using thinly sliced potatoes, you will make a batter to dip the fries in before dropping them into your oil pan. This consists of water, flour, garlic salt, onion salt, regular salt and paprika. 

Remember to place the fries one at a time so they are not touching to ensure that they will not clump together. Fry until golden and drain on paper towels!

Baked Potato Chips from the Martha Stewart team

Whether you are looking for a salty snack or something to eat alongside your lunch, this is a simplistic recipe that allows for any home cook to master in a short amount of time!

Using thinly sliced russet potatoes, season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika. Pop the potatoes into the oven for about 30 minutes and you will have recreated some of the best homemade baked potato chips around. 

Potato Dishes That Can Double as Meals or Sides!

Whether you have made any of the dishes below or not, there is always a new way to reinvent a family favorite food. Try one of these recipes below, or take some of their tips and add them to your own!

Easy Creamy Potato Salad from Inspired Taste, created by Adam

This is the perfect homemade potato salad that consists of a simple, classic dressing using mayonnaise and sour cream. If you are looking for a savory side dish or quick lunch, this is the recipe for you.

Not only is this a good way to use up some of your fresh ingredients, but this recipe also allows for cooks to get creative with what they want to add to their salads. Some flavorful items would include onion, celery, pickles, egg and herbs. 

Remember to chill your salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to achieve the best results before serving! Find more tips like this on the Inspired Taste site.

Homemade Hash Browns from The Salty Marshmallow, created by Heather Cheney

This recipe requires only a few simple instructions in order to achieve the perfect homemade hash browns for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Russet potatoes work best here!

The Salty Marshmallow recommends using a heavy duty box style cheese grater to shred the potatoes into hash browns. 

In order to keep the hash browns from becoming too soggy, it’s important to rinse and soak the potatoes beforehand to remove the excess starch. Make sure to dab any remaining water as well.

Easy Homemade Potato Gnocchi from Tasty, created by Mearl O’Neal

This is a great recipe by Tasty for families who love these small potato dumplings or are looking to try something new! 

Learn how to turn a regular pot of russet potatoes into something a little more exciting. The best part about gnocchi is that it can be mixed into a variety of different dishes. Serve in a salad, a cheese base soup or under a pile of pasta sauce! 

One tip would be to add more flour to help the potato dough become less mushy.

Who Knew You Could Make BREAD with Potatoes?

Have you ever made bread before? Whether you are looking for a way to use up those potatoes or if you have run out of your regular bread, these recipes will help you out!

Homemade Potato Bread from SimpleRecipes, created by Elise Bauer

This is a great step by step guide that explains how to use potatoes to make bread with 7 household ingredients. SimpleRecipes has found an informative way that allows for the everyday person to create this recipe

Once you’ve mixed your potatoes with the milk, sugar, salt, and olive oil, remember to let it cool a while. A tip included in the recipe is to make sure that your mixture is not too hot in order to stop from killing the yeast following this step!

Making bread takes time and practice, so just be patient!

Easy Potato Bread from The Spruce Eats, created by Elizabeth Yetter

This is another easy to follow recipe with some alternative ingredients to make potato bread, like eggs and bread flour. The Spruce Eats includes step by step instructions with pictures to help homecooks work their way through the bread making process.

Bread flour is recommended in this recipe because of its ability to make the dough rise higher compared to regular flour. The recipe also has some great ways to help achieve the desired texture of your crust!

Potato snacks and appetizers perfect for families and individuals!

These are some quick recipes to help households of all sizes temporarily take care of their hunger until dinner is ready! Better yet, why not whip these up as a one of a kind snack.

Old Fashioned Potato Cakes from Allrecipes, created by DaMonkey

Requiring very few ingredients you can find in your refrigerator or pantry, this recipe offers another great alternative for potatoes that can be made in about 10 minutes!

The whole process takes 2 steps. First, by combining each of the ingredients together followed by placing the cakes in a heated pan of oil to cook for a short time. It is recommended to repeat the process a second time with the remaining batter.

Serious Potato Skins from NYT Cooking, create by Sam Sifton

Another great way to prepare your potatoes is to make some thick, loaded potato skins. This is a great recipe to use as an appetizer or snack of your choice!

Not only is this another great way to use up some fresh ingredients, but it’s also a nice way to experiment with seasonings. The recipe calls for russet potatoes, olive oil, thick-cut bacon, cheddar cheese, scallions, sour cream and hot sauce. Add some fresh veggies to change it up!

Loaded Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls from the Tasty team

This last recipe requires several ingredients, many of which home cooks will have on hand. This is also another great choice for an appetizer or a fun snack for at home.

When preparing the potato balls, make sure that you have enough flour coating your hands to ensure that the balls will form properly and not stick to your skin. 

One tip would be to make the balls a little smaller, because they tend to rise up a lot when cooking. If you don’t have panko or breadcrumbs on hand, make your own with some leftover bread!

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