As the holiday season approaches, we often find ourselves inundated with food and pondering what to do with the leftovers. If your family is anything like mine—quick to dismiss leftovers—then I have a delightful solution that will have your kiddos clamoring for seconds.
Let me start by admitting that I rarely whip up mashed potatoes; in fact, I typically only do so on Thanksgiving. And every year, without fail, I end up making way too much. Have you ever tried to reduce a recipe, only to find it somehow multiplies? Yes, I’ve been there too.
Every year, I try to creatively repurpose our leftover mashed potatoes, but it usually ends in disappointment. Shepherd’s pie? No thanks. My kids weren’t having it, and honestly, I’m not a fan either. One year, I experimented with Needhams—those delicious Maine potato candies made with sugar, mashed potatoes, and coconut. But my family couldn’t overlook the mashed potatoes in them. I ended up finishing those off by myself, so it wasn’t a total loss.
My three children are quite discerning when it comes to food. They’re not overly picky, but they have their quirks that can be quite frustrating. When I stumbled upon the Potato Volcano recipe on Reddit, I knew I had struck gold. The ingredients were straightforward: leftover mashed potatoes, cheese, butter, eggs, and breadcrumbs.
It sounded like a winner, especially since I had an array of cheeses—cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, feta, and American—just waiting to be used. The recipe didn’t specify which cheese to use, so I opted for cheddar (the best cheese ever) along with a bit of mozzarella for that melty effect. I could already envision my family’s faces lighting up as they saw the stretchy cheese.
Using cold leftover mashed potatoes helped me shape them into a bowl to hold all that cheese and butter. I did skip the eggs due to an allergy, but I don’t think it affected the final result at all. After slathering my creation in melted butter and topping it with Italian-style breadcrumbs, I popped it in the oven. The aroma wafting through my home was simply divine.
When I finally cut into the Potato Volcano, I anticipated a cheesy eruption, but it didn’t exactly flow as I had imagined. Nevertheless, the cheese was beautifully melted, and my youngest son—who is usually my pickiest eater—couldn’t resist and devoured it straight from the pan! Instead of serving it as a side, it became our appetizer that vanished before dinner even began.
I’m definitely making this again, and not just on Thanksgiving. It was warm, gooey, salty, and hearty—all the qualities I crave in a dish. If you have leftover mashed potatoes, you have to try this recipe. It’s quick, simple, and pairs wonderfully with steak, pork, chicken, or just on its own. Who needs plain potatoes when you can create a Potato Volcano that even the fussiest eaters will love?
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In summary, this Potato Volcano is a fun and tasty way to transform your leftover mashed potatoes into a dish that everyone will love. It’s simple to make, and you likely have all the ingredients on hand. Give it a try, and you won’t regret it!