As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves in the kitchen whipping up a feast, only to wonder what to do with the mountain of leftovers that inevitably follows. If your family is anything like mine and tends to wrinkle their noses at reheated meals, let me introduce you to a classic recipe that has my kids clamoring for seconds.
I’ll admit, I don’t make mashed potatoes very often—typically just once a year for Thanksgiving. And every year, without fail, I end up with way too much. Have you ever tried to make a small batch, only to have it magically expand? I certainly have!
Each year, I search for new ways to use up the leftover mash, but I’ve often come up short. Shepherd’s pie? My kids weren’t having it. One year, I experimented with Needhams (a type of potato candy from my home state of Maine), but my family couldn’t get over the mashed potato ingredient.
My three kids can be tough critics—not overly picky, but just enough to make cooking a challenge. However, when I stumbled upon a trending recipe on Reddit for a Potato Volcano, I knew I had to try it out. The ingredients were simple and included leftover mashed potatoes, cheese, butter, eggs, and breadcrumbs—perfect for our Friday night turkey leftovers.
I had a variety of cheeses in the fridge: cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, feta, and American. The recipe didn’t specify which cheese to use, so I opted for cheddar, the king of cheeses, and added mozzarella for that delightful melty goodness. I envisioned the amazed looks on my family’s faces when I served this cheesy creation.
Using cold mashed potatoes helped shape the volcano perfectly, creating a sturdy base for the filling. I did skip the eggs due to an allergy, but it didn’t seem to affect the outcome. After slathering it with melted butter and sprinkling on Italian-style breadcrumbs, my kitchen filled with mouthwatering aromas reminiscent of an Italian bistro.
When I cut into the volcano, I hoped for a dramatic cheese flow, but instead, it didn’t quite erupt as expected. However, the cheese was beautifully melted, and before I knew it, my pickiest eater, my youngest, was devouring it straight from the pan with a fork!
Instead of serving it as a starter, we ended up treating it as our main appetizer, and it vanished almost immediately from the cookie sheet. I know I’ll be making this again soon—not just for Thanksgiving. It was warm, gooey, and satisfying, the perfect comfort dish.
If you’re looking for a fun way to use up your leftover mashed potatoes or simply want to try something new, give this Potato Volcano a shot. It’s easy, quick, and you likely have all the ingredients on hand. It pairs wonderfully with steak, pork, chicken, or can stand alone. This dish has great texture and crunch, proving that everything is better with cheese. Say goodbye to boring potatoes and hello to a volcano of flavor!
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Summary:
This 1940s-inspired Potato Volcano recipe is a fantastic way to utilize leftover mashed potatoes, transforming them into an impressive and delicious dish that even picky eaters will love. With simple ingredients and an easy preparation method, it’s perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
Keyphrase: Potato Volcano Recipe
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