55 Easy and Super Hearty Potato Recipes

Alison Miksch; Food Styling: Mary Clair Britton and Kady Wohlfarth; Prop Styling: Prissy Lee

No matter how you like 'em—whipped, mashed, fried, smashed, grilled, baked, sautéed, stuffed, or scalloped—potatoes offer an endless array of possibilities. These starchy beauties carry various flavor profiles well and can step in as a side dish or serve as the base of the main event. You can easily cook potatoes for every meal in the day without repeating a recipe twice. Whether you're looking for an impressive dish or something quick and casual, here are some of our favorite easy potato recipes to get you started.

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Sesame-Ginger-Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Sesame-Ginger-Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Sesame, especially toasted sesame oil, is a key flavor in many Asian cuisines. It makes sense that tahini would fit here too, especially as a finishing touch for roasted sweet potatoes with Sriracha.

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BBQ Beef-Stuffed Potatoes

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stying: Mindi Shapiro Levine

BBQ Beef-Stuffed Potatoes Recipe

Be sure to wrap the potatoes in parchment paper; foil can add a metallic taste to the dish.

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Crispy Potato Cakes with Smoked Salmon

Crispy Potato Cakes with Smoked Salmon Recipe

Frozen shredded potatoes are a fast cook's friend: They need no draining or thawing. Serve for brunch with a side of fruit.

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Parmesan-and-Herb Roasted Potatoes

Photo: Alison Miksch

Parmesan-and-Herb Roasted Potatoes Recipe

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Slow Cooker Beef-and-Sweet Potato Chili

Jennifer Causey

Slow Cooker Beef-and-Sweet Potato Chili Recipe

Leaving the peels on the sweet potatoes has three benefits: Prep is faster, you add more fiber, and the potatoes hold their shape better after the 7-hour simmer. Besides, the peels get so tender that you barely notice they're there. If you'd like to change things up, try parsnips in place of the sweet potatoes; they have a similar sweetness and earthier flavor. For less sweetness, you can try small red potatoes or baby Yukon Golds. You don't need to fully cook the ground beef before it goes into the slow cooker; just cook it enough to "set" the shape of the crumbles.

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Gingered Sweet Potato Soup with Toasted Coconut and Pumpkinseeds

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Kira Corbin

Gingered Sweet Potato Soup with Toasted Coconut and Pumpkinseeds Recipe

Pureed sweet potatoes are topped with coconut and pumpkinseed kernels making this soup perfect for fall.

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Picadillo-stuffed Mashed Potato Balls

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Picadillo-stuffed Mashed Potato Balls Recipe

Papas rellenas (stuffed potato balls) are a traditional Spanish dish. Baked instead of fried, they're a healthy and delicious way to make a meal out of leftover mashed potatoes.

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Chicken and Chile Hash

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Chicken and Chile Hash Recipe

Ground chicken has a touch more fat than ground chicken breast, key for a more flavorful hash. Let cooked potatoes dry out so they'll be extra crisp in the hash. Leftover potatoes would be even better. While the potatoes cook, make sure to cook the chicken mixture. As the hash crisps, start poaching the eggs to save on time while cooking. The dish is perfect for dinner, lunch or a weekend savory brunch option. You can easily make this a vegetarian hash but omitting the chicken and adding other vegetables such as zucchini or sweet potatoes.

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Ham and Sweet Potato Hash

Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Thom Driver.

Ham and Sweet Potato Hash Recipe

This colorful breakfast-for-dinner dish uses sweet potatoes and red bell peppers for a double hit of beta-carotene, a carotenoid that most recently was shown to potentially lower breast cancer risk.

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Crispy Chicken Thighs with Spinach-and-Pea Potato Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Crispy Chicken Thighs with Spinach-and-Pea Potato Salad Recipe

Sneak another veg into the potatoes with our green dressing that has peas and spinach. This recipe's a time-saver, too: A quick sear and a sprinkle of panko cuts prep and cook time in half compared to breading and baking. Serve with Chili-Lime Corn.

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Potato and Leek Gratin

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Potato and Leek Gratin Recipe

A mandoline will slice the potatoes quickly and to the same thickness, though a sharp knife will also work. Instead of being buried in cream, the potatoes and leeks are simmered in and drizzled with milk so the potatoes get wonderfully crisp and tender and the cheeses form a melty, golden crust.

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New Potatoes with Shaved Celery, Buttermilk, and Dill

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

New Potatoes with Shaved Celery, Buttermilk, and Dill Recipe

Crisp potatoes and a mild creamy dressing help keep this chunky potato salad from being anything but boring. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

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Speedy Shepherd's Pie

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Speedy Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Making the most of supermarket convenience items gets this family favorite on the table in a flash. Precut matchstick carrots are easier to chop into small pieces quickly, and using prepared mashed potatoes for the topping is a good trick for when you don't have leftover mashed potatoes on hand.

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Smoky Potato and Greens Tacos

Photo: Greg DuPree; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Smoky Potato and Greens Tacos Recipe

Cooked greens and crispy potatoes are great as a base for a skillet hash, but why not try something new? Pile into lightly charred corn tortillas, and top with vibrant toppings such as fresh cilantro and radishes to turn a one-note leftover into a tasty, satisfying main. Our trick for crispy potatoes without the added fat: After boiling and draining, we spread them out on paper towels to remove any extra moisture, then stir occasionally as they sauté for even browning on all sides. If you're starting without a batch of collard greens, wilt or sauté any hearty green like kale or chard.

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Classic German Potato Latkes Get a Cool Modern Twist

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Classic German Potato Latkes Get a Cool Modern Twist Recipe
They’re not your oma’s latkes—they’re even better

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Smoked Potato Salad

Smoked Potato Salad Recipe

This is the recipe you need for those potluck gatherings where you really want to impress but then find you’re supposed to bring … potato salad. This version will wow, from its beautiful indigo color to its rich, smoky flavor. A nice hit of cumin and chipotle chile powder amplifies the smokiness and makes for a deeply savory salad. If the purple potatoes (or other small, waxy potatoes if you can’t find purple ones) are larger than we specify, cut them in half so they’ll cook evenly and get tender.

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Mom's Smashed Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Paige Hicks

Mom's Smashed Mashed Potatoes Recipe

From the Kitchen of…David Bonom, Longtime Contributor

"My mom, a child of the Depression, embraced convenience foods like instant mashed potatoes, and we ate them all year--except on Thanksgiving, when she made 'real' potatoes that she never fully mashed. I still make them her way but have added ingredients like caramelized onions and olive oil."

To keep potatoes warm until the meal is ready, place them, loosely covered, in a heatproof dish or bowl, and set them (without submerging them) in a larger pot of hot water over very low heat. They'll stay warm without scorching on the bottom.

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Creamy Chunky Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Claire Spollen

Creamy Chunky Mashed Potatoes Recipe

The secret to perfect mashed potatoes? Knowing when to stop. Mash potatoes with softened butter and warm milk until they're creamy but still have some chunks remaining. Thin-skinned potatoes, cut into pieces, cook quickly and are easiest to mash.

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Rustic Mashed Potatoes with Whole-Grain Mustard

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman

Rustic Mashed Potatoes with Whole-Grain Mustard Recipe

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1-Ingredient Potato Frittata

Photos by Alex Tepper

1-Ingredient Potato Frittata Recipe
And one gadget makes it fast and fancy

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Chimichurri Chicken Thighs with Potatoes

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Chimichurri Chicken Thighs with Potatoes Recipe

An herb-packed chimichurri sauce makes this meat-and-potatoes main vibrant and exciting. Double the mixture and spoon it over grilled steak or fish on another night. For less heat in both the chimichurri and the potatoes, remove the seeds from the Fresno chile.

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Quick Loaded Potato Soup

Jennifer Causey

Quick Loaded Potato Soup Recipe

With one simple extra step, the standard mashed potato process leads to a creamy soup adorned with all the great baked potato toppings. For the best texture, stick with russet potatoes; starchier varieties won't yield as creamy a result. The soup reheats well, so it's a good make-ahead candidate; just store the toppings separately.

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Pan-Seared Mojo Potatoes

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Pan-Seared Mojo Potatoes Recipe

Serve these seasoned, pan-seared potatoes for a sophisticated twist to a classic side. For the topping, try plain, nonfat Greek yogurt in place of sour cream. It’s less than half the calories, and you won’t be able to tell a difference!

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Silky-Smooth Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Caitlin Bensel

Silky-Smooth Mashed Potatoes Recipe

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Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Thanksgiving isn't complete without a homemade sweet potato casserole. Top this lightened version of an easy marshmallow sweet potato casserole recipe, topped with both marshmallows and toasted pecans. (For more classic dishes, visit our sweet potato recipes collection.)

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Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup Recipe

The potatoes absorb the rich, smoky flavor of the ham hocks in this one-pot soup. Serve with crusty bread, a salad, and hot sauce on the side for an easy meal both kids and adults will love.

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Sweet Potato Gratin

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Catherine Steele; Prop Styling: Thom Driver

Sweet Potato Gratin Recipe

Sweet Potato Gratin image

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Twice Baked Potatoes With Fontina and Chives

Time Inc. Video Studio

Twice Baked Potatoes With Fontina and Chives Recipe

If you’re ready to go beyond the standard pot of mashed potatoes, we highly recommend giving these cheesy, twice-baked spuds a go for your next dinner party or holiday feast. We love the nutty-rich flavor and creaminess that the combo of Parmesan and fontina provides, but feel free to switch up the cheese to include your favorites. This recipe is easily adaptable to include whatever stir-ins you’re craving—from crumbled bacon to wilted spinach. If you want to get a jumpstart on your prep, these potatoes can be made up to 2 days in advance through step 2 of the recipe.

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Turmeric Lamb Chops with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli

Paige Grandjean

Turmeric Lamb Chops with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli Recipe

Lamb loin chops (shaped like mini T-bones) save about 11g sat fat per serving over rib or shoulder chops. You can also ask your butcher to cut "steaks" from a leg of lamb, also lean, or sub 2 (8-ounce) beef sirloin steaks.

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Broccoli and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Broccoli and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Jazz up those mashed potatoes by adding in hearty broccoli florets and melted cheddar cheese.

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Roasted Greek-Style Potatoes

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Roasted Greek-Style Potatoes Recipe

The oven temperature may seem too high, but don't fear: The wedges are thick enough that they will cook through without overbrowning.

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Black Pepper and Herb Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Black Pepper and Herb Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Mashed potatoes get a flavor boost here with the welcome addition of freshly cracked black pepper and a mixture of flavorful herbs.

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Spinach and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Spinach and Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Jazz up those mashed potatoes by adding in healthy spinach and flavorful garlic.

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Bacon and Onion Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Bacon and Onion Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Jazz up those mashed potatoes by adding in savory bacon and sliced onions for some out-of-this-world flavor.

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Potato-Bacon Hash

Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Potato-Bacon Hash Recipe

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Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Amy Burke

Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Gently stirring twice while baking promotes even cooking and creaminess to this hearty scalloped potato recipe. Pull out of the oven, stir once more, then sprinkle with cheese, and continue baking without stirring for a casserole that's golden brown on top. For a scalloped potato recipe that doesn't require a ton of hands-on time or a plethora of ingredients, this delicious dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

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55 Easy and Super Hearty Potato Recipes

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Sesame-Ginger-Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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BBQ Beef-Stuffed Potatoes

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Crispy Potato Cakes with Smoked Salmon

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Parmesan-and-Herb Roasted Potatoes

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Slow Cooker Beef-and-Sweet Potato Chili

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Gingered Sweet Potato Soup with Toasted Coconut and Pumpkinseeds

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Picadillo-stuffed Mashed Potato Balls

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Chicken and Chile Hash

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Ham and Sweet Potato Hash

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Crispy Chicken Thighs with Spinach-and-Pea Potato Salad

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Potato and Leek Gratin

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New Potatoes with Shaved Celery, Buttermilk, and Dill

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Speedy Shepherd's Pie

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Smoky Potato and Greens Tacos

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Classic German Potato Latkes Get a Cool Modern Twist

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Smoked Potato Salad

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Mom's Smashed Mashed Potatoes

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Creamy Chunky Mashed Potatoes

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Rustic Mashed Potatoes with Whole-Grain Mustard

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1-Ingredient Potato Frittata

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Chimichurri Chicken Thighs with Potatoes

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Quick Loaded Potato Soup

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Pan-Seared Mojo Potatoes

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Silky-Smooth Mashed Potatoes

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Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

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Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup

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