A heaping bowl of buttery mashed potatoes is all but mandatory at the Thanksgiving table, but what can you do with leftover spuds once all the guests have gone home? Actually, they’re surprisingly versatile. With a little inspiration, your mashed potatoes will be transformed from side dish to the main event.

These mashed potato patties with tapanede cream make an ideal appetizer or unusual side dish. (A coating of bread crumbs help them crisp up beautifully golden brown.) This version of mashed potato pancakes, made with cheese, goes well with pork chops—and they’re a definite hit with the kids. Feeling experimental? Try celeb chef David Chang’s recipe for mashed potato spring rolls (trust us—they’re delicious).

You can also recycle your mashed potatoes into heartier fare. Easy shepherd’s pie is a classic, and having your potatoes all ready to go really saves time. This recipe for shredded beef shepherd’s pie makes it great for leftover pot roast. And hamburger pie is comfort food at it’s best—a ground-beef casserole topped with buttery spuds. What’s not to like?

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Categories: Dinner Tonight | Tags: Mashed Potatoes, Potato Casseroles, Potato Pancakes, Thanksgiving Leftovers
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