As the holiday season rolls in, it’s that time of year when kitchens are bustling with cooking and the fridge fills up with leftovers. If your family is anything like mine, they may not be the biggest fans of eating the same meals twice. That’s where this classic recipe comes to the rescue—a delicious mashed potato ‘volcano’ that’s sure to have even the fussiest eaters asking for seconds.
I must confess, I don’t often whip up mashed potatoes—typically just during Thanksgiving when, let’s be honest, I always make way too much. Has anyone else noticed that when you try to scale back a recipe, the portions seem to grow instead? Yup, I’ve been there too.
Every year, I find myself in a battle with leftover mashed potatoes, and let’s just say, my attempts haven’t always been successful. The kids turned their noses up at shepherd’s pie, and last year’s attempt at Needhams—those sweet potato candies from my home state of Maine—was a complete flop because they couldn’t overlook the potatoes.
With three kids who are discerning eaters (not too picky, but just enough to drive me crazy), I was thrilled to stumble upon a viral recipe on Reddit known as the Potato Volcano. It called for leftover mashed potatoes, cheese, butter, eggs, and breadcrumbs—ingredients that my kids and I absolutely adore.
I rummaged through my fridge and found an assortment of cheeses: Cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, feta, and American. The recipe didn’t specify which cheese to use, so I opted for the classic Cheddar—after all, it’s the best cheese ever! I also threw in some mozzarella for that delightful meltiness. I could picture the look on my family’s faces when they saw the stretchy cheese; I was ready to feel like a culinary genius.
Since my mashed potatoes were cold from the fridge, they were easy to mold into a bowl shape for the cheesy filling. The recipe called for eggs, but I skipped them due to an allergy, and it didn’t seem to affect the outcome at all.
After generously coating my volcano with melted butter and a sprinkle of Italian-style breadcrumbs, I baked it in the oven. The aroma wafting through the house was reminiscent of a cozy Italian eatery—those breadcrumbs were a game changer!
As I sliced into the volcano, I anticipated a glorious eruption of cheesy goodness, but it didn’t quite flow as I had envisioned. Nevertheless, the cheese was perfectly melted, and the dish was a hit. Surprisingly, my pickiest eater, my youngest son, devoured most of it straight from the pan!
Instead of serving it as a side, this ‘volcano’ turned into our appetizer, disappearing before we even sat down for dinner. I can confidently say this will not be a once-a-year dish; I’m already planning to make it again soon.
If you’re looking to reinvent your leftover mashed potatoes or want something new to try, this Potato Volcano is a fantastic option. It’s simple, quick, and likely you have most of the ingredients already. It pairs wonderfully with steak, pork, or chicken, or can stand alone as a hearty snack. With its satisfying crunch and gooey cheese, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—even for the toughest critics.
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In summary, the Potato Volcano is a delightful way to transform leftover mashed potatoes into a fun and scrumptious dish that everyone will love. Its easy preparation and cheesy goodness make it a must-try for any family gathering.