9 Mouthwatering Ways to Transform Leftover Potatoes

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Shepherd's Pie

Transform leftover mashed potatoes into a golden, fluffy topping for this classic comfort dish. Whether made with a hearty vegetable and lentil filling or a savory meat base, this Shepherd’s Pie is a delicious way to reinvent leftovers into a satisfying and crowd-pleasing meal. Try keeping this meal vegetarian by swapping the beef with cooked lentils! Make one big batch or portion it into single servings!

Ingredients (for about 4 servings):

• 3 cups mashed potatoes (leftover or freshly prepared)
• 1 tbsp butter (optional, for mashed potatoes)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables
• 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or lentils (cooked)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup vegetable or beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional for vegetarian; substitute soy sauce if desired)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and carrots, cooking until softened, about 5–7 min. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min. more.
3. Stir in the ground meat or lentils, tomato paste, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and broth. Simmer for 5–7 min., allowing the mixture to thicken slightly. Stir in the peas or mixed vegetables, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
4. Spread the filling evenly into a baking dish. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top, spreading them out to cover the filling completely. For extra crispiness, dot the potatoes with butter or drizzle with olive oil.
5. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20–25 min., or until the potatoes are golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
6. Let the Shepherd’s Pie rest for 5 min. before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.