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Leftover Roast Potato Recipes to Reduce Food Waste This Festive Season

We’ve all been there: Monday morning rolls around and your fridge is filled with leftover roast potatoes from Sunday night’s roast dinner. It can be tempting to chuck them in the bin, but potatoes are extremely versatile, even when cooked!

Why You Shouldn’t Throw Out Leftover Potatoes

Reducing Food Waste at Home

At Milk & More, we’re all about helping you make the most of your fridge and reduce food waste. We know how busy and stressful feeding the whole family can be, but these leftover roast potato recipes mean you’ll always have a waste-free go-to for weeknight dinners this festive season.

 

Roast Potatoes – The Surprising Hero Ingredient

Leftover roast potatoes are a hero ingredient for quick and easy weeknight dinners that cut costs and reduce food waste. Whether you like them crispy and golden or soft and fluffy, there are endless ways to repurpose last night’s roast potatoes – no peeling or boiling required.

 

6 Recipes Using Leftover Roast Potatoes

Keep reading for six easy and delicious leftover roast potato recipes, perfect for the post-Christmas period or any time you’ve got extras on hand.

1. Crispy Potato Hash with Eggs

This crispy potato hash recipe transforms leftover roast potatoes into a hearty breakfast or brunch.

Ingredients:

  • Chopped leftover roast potatoes
  • Onion
  • Leftover cooked veg, e.g. peppers, shredded sprouts or kale
  • Eggs
  • Salt and pepper

Method:
Fry the chopped potatoes until crispy and golden. Add the onion and other vegetables and cook until soft. Create small gaps in the mixture and crack an egg into each hole, sprinkle cheese over the top and season with salt and pepper. Cook until set.

 

2. Leftover Potato and Cheese Fritters

The perfect leftover potato recipe for a quick kids’ weeknight dinner.

Ingredients:

  • Leftover mashed or roasted potatoes
  • Cheese
  • Spring onions
  • Egg
  • Flour
  • Salt and pepper

Method:
If using leftover roast potatoes, lightly smash them with the back of a wooden spoon. Then, mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and season. Pour over the eggs and add flour until the mixture forms a thick batter. Form into patties using flour to stop them from sticking to your hands or the worktop. Shallow fry until crispy.

 

3. Roast Potato Frittata

Woken up with a headache on Boxing Day? This recipe will turn your Christmas leftovers into a hearty one-pan hangover cure.

Ingredients:

  • Leftover roast potatoes (sliced)
  • Eggs
  • Milk or cream (non-dairy works too!)
  • Cooked vegetables (optional)
  • Salt and pepper

Method:
Whisk together your eggs and milk or cream, pour over your sliced potatoes and leftover vegetables in a frying pan, season and cook until set. To finish, transfer the pan to the grill to form a crispy top layer.

 

4. Bubble and Squeak Cakes

A British classic for good reason.

Ingredients:

  • Crushed roast potatoes
  • Cooked and shredded cabbage, sprouts or greens
  • Onion
  • Butter
  • Salt and pepper

Method:
Add the crushed potatoes to a large bowl and pour over melted butter to mash. Then add the shredded vegetables and season to taste. Leave the mixture to cool and then shape into small patties. Fry in butter until golden and crisp on both sides.

 

5. Loaded Potato Skins

Scoop and stuff leftover baked potatoes to make this delicious leftover roast potato recipe.

Ingredients:

  • Baked potatoes or large roast potatoes
  • Cheese
  • Veg or meat such as bacon or ham
  • Sour cream

Method:
Cut the potato in half and scoop out some of the ‘flesh’ to create a shell. Mix the scooped potato with cheese and leftover veg/meat in a bowl, and then transfer back into the shells. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until bubbling, and serve with sour cream.

 

6. Spiced Potato and Chickpea Wraps

An easy-to-make lunch using leftover roast potatoes and cupboard staples.

Ingredients:

  • Roast potatoes
  • Chickpeas
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Cumin, paprika or curry powder
  • Tortilla wraps
  • Yoghurt or mayonnaise

Method:
Fry potatoes with chickpeas and your chosen seasoning. Heat the tortilla wrap in a dry pan and then line with shredded lettuce. Add your spiced potatoes and chickpeas and drizzle with yoghurt or mayonnaise.

 

Tips for Storing and Reusing Potatoes Safely

Storage Tips

To avoid waste or your leftover roast potatoes going bad, store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

 

Reheating and Crisping Up

To reheat, use a hot frying pan or oven for maximum crispiness. Avoid microwaving leftover roast potatoes as this can cause them to go soggy.

 

More Leftover Ideas for Christmas

Bonus: What to Do with Boiled Potatoes

Wondering what to do with leftover boiled potatoes? We’ve got you covered. Why not make them into a creamy mash with cheese or toss them into soups and stews to make them more filling?

Looking for more recipes and more smart and simple ways to reduce food waste at home? Head to our Beside the Pint blog.

 

Shop Seasonal Essentials with Milk & More

From farm-fresh eggs to nutritious veg, shop all your seasonal essentials at Milk & More. Check out our festive food essentials today and get everything you need delivered straight to your door – helping you shop smarter, save time and reduce waste.