When it comes to comfort food, mashed potatoes are hard to beat. They’re warm, creamy, and satisfying – everything you want in a dish. And while homemade mashed potatoes are delicious, they can be time-consuming to make. That’s where instant mashed potatoes come in.
With instant mashed potatoes, you can have all the deliciousness of homemade mashed potatoes without any of the hassle. Plus, they’re versatile enough to be used in a variety of recipes. So if you’re looking for some new ideas for how to use instant mashed potatoes, look no further. These recipes with instant mashed potatoes are sure to hit the spot.
1. Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
For a flavorful twist on instant potatoes, add some garlic and parmesan cheese to the mix. Just sauté some garlic in butter, then add it to the mashed potatoes along with milk and salt to taste.
Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes | Instant Potatoes Get Fancy!
2. Creamy Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Add some extra cheesy goodness to your instant potato flakes for a flavorful and creamy mashed potato side dish.
Creamy Cheese Mashed Potatoes
3. Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes
Instant mashed potatoes get a fresh flavor with fresh garlic and this tasty herb mix.
Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes
4. Bacon Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
Who doesn’t love bacon? Add some crumbled bacon to your mashed potatoes for a delicious and decadent dish.
Bacon Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
5. Cheesy Southwest Mashed Potatoes
This instant mashed potato recipe gets a southwestern flair by adding diced green chilies, cumin, and chili powder to the mix.
Cheesy Southwest Mashed Potatoes
6. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
No fuss no muss with all the goodness in one casserole dish. Make your mashed potatoes even more filling and satisfying by loading them up with toppings like shredded cheese, bacon, diced tomatoes, and green onions.
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Shortcut Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
7. Mashed Potato Cakes
Give your mashed potatoes a fun shape by forming them into patties. You can then pan-fry or bake them until they’re golden brown.
Mashed Potato Cakes
8. Homemade Quick Gnocchi
For a twist on traditional gnocchi, make them with mashed potatoes instead of flour. It’s so much easier than trying to run potatoes through a food mill – and easier to clean up afterwards!
Homemade Quick Gnocchi
9. Potato Pizza Recipe
If you’re looking for a creative way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, try making pizza with them! Spread the mashed potatoes on a pre-baked pizza crust, then top with your favorite toppings.
Potato Pizza Recipe
Potato Pizza
10. Instant Potato-Cheese Soup
Give your soup a creamy and comforting texture by stirring in some mashed potatoes. You can also add shredded cheese, chopped bacon, or diced vegetables to the soup for extra flavor.
Instant Potato-Cheese Soup Recipe | CDKitchen.com
11. Easy Shepherd’s Pie
This classic British dish is usually made with ground beef, but you can also use mashed potatoes in place of the beef. Just spread the mashed potatoes over the bottom of a baking dish, then top with veggies and gravy.
Easy Shepherd's Pie
12. Creamy Potato Bake
For a hearty and satisfying side dish, try making a mashed potato casserole. Just mix together the creamy mashed potatoes with all the goodies in this recipe, then bake until hot and bubbly.
Creamy Potato Bake
13. Quick Potato Pancakes
Why not have mashed potatoes for breakfast? In this simple recipe you mix together mashed potatoes with some eggs and flour, then fry in a pan like you would regular pancakes. Serve with syrup or your favorite toppings.
Quick Potato Pancakes
14. Mashed Potato Waffles
If you have a waffle iron, you can use it to make delicious mashed potato waffles! Just mix the mashed potatoes with some eggs and seasonings, then cook in the waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Best Mashed Potato Waffles Recipe - How To Make Mashed Potato Waffles
15. Instant Potato Dumplings
Next time you’re looking for a fun and easy way to make dumplings, try using instant mashed potatoes! Just mix together mashed potatoes with some flour and eggs, then drop by spoonfuls into boiling water.
Instant Potato Dumplings
16. Japanese-Style Potato Croquettes
These fried mashed potato balls make a great appetizer or side dish. Just mix together mashed potatoes with some shredded cheese and bread crumbs, then shape into balls and fry until golden brown. Such an easy side dish to make!
Japanese-Style Potato Croquettes - LIVING2COOK
17. Extra Soft Potato Bread
This unique bread is made with mashed potatoes, so it’s extra moist and flavorful. You can file this one under ‘easy recipes’ for gluten-free bread!
Potato Bread Recipe (Easy, Homemade)
18. Swiss Potato Puffs
These bite-sized snacks are perfect for parties or as a side dish. Just mix together mashed potatoes with some eggs and shredded cheese, then drop by spoonfuls into hot oil and fry until golden brown.
19. Polish Pierogies
If you’re feeling adventurous, try making your own pierogies with mashed potatoes! Just mix the mashed potatoes with some flour and eggs, then use a pierogi maker to shape them into dumplings. Boil or bake until cooked through.
Polish Pierogies (Potato Cheese) Recipe - Food.com
20. Instant Mashed Potato, Ham & Cheese Casserole
This twist on a classic baked potato is sure to be a hit! Just spread some mashed potatoes over the top of a baked potato, then top with shredded cheese, bacon bits, and green onions. Serve warm.
Instant Mashed Potato, Ham and Cheese Casserole Recipe - Food.com
Great Toppings For Instant Mashed Potatoes
- unsalted butter
- grated cheddar cheese
- chopped green onion
- your favorite fresh herbs
- garlic powder
- cream cheese
- dollop of sour cream or greek yogurt
- blue cheese
- chopped fresh chives
- crumbs of crispy bacon
How instant mashed potatoes are made
Instant mashed potatoes are made by first boiling the potatoes until they’re soft, then mashing them with milk and butter. They’re then dehydrated and packaged for sale. When you’re ready to use them, all you have to do is add water and heat them up.
Benefits of using instant mashed potatoes
There are several benefits to using instant mashed potatoes. First, they’re quick and easy to make. You don’t have to spend time boiling and mashing the potatoes – just add water and heat them up. Second, they’re usually cheaper than buying fresh potatoes. And lastly, they’re convenient – you can find them in most grocery stores.
While instant mashed potatoes may not be the healthiest food out there, they do have some nutritional value. They’re a good source of carbohydrates, which can give you energy. They also contain vitamins and minerals, such as potassium and magnesium. Instant mashed potatoes can be a part of a healthy diet as long as they’re not overloaded with butter and cream.
How to rehydrate instant mashed potatoes
To rehydrate instant mashed potatoes, you’ll need to add water. The amount of water you’ll need will depend on the brand of potatoes you’re using so be sure and follow the package directions to get the best results. For example, if you’re using 1 cup of dehydrated potatoes, you’ll need to add 2 cups of water. Once the water is added, stir well and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
Then, microwave the potatoes for 1-2 minutes, or until they’re hot. You can also stovetop rehydrate your instant mashed potatoes by adding them to boiling water. Let the potatoes cook for 5 minutes, then mash them with a fork or potato masher until they are at a good consistency with a smooth texture. Add milk and butter to taste.
How to store instant mashed potatoes
To store instant mashed potatoes, you’ll need to keep them in a cool, dry place. They can be stored at room temperature in the pantry, cupboard, or even the fridge. Just make sure they’re in an airtight container so they don’t absorb any moisture from the air. Instant mashed potatoes can last for up to 6 months when stored properly.
Love potatoes? Check out these recipes with Yukon gold potatoes.
What’s your favorite way to eat instant mashed potatoes?