Mashed is fine, but potatoes have way more to offer! These potato recipes go beyond the usual and turn this everyday staple into something you actually get excited about. Whether you’re serving a crowd or just want something better with dinner, each one holds its own as a starter or side. Simple to make, easy to love—no extra fluff required.
Loaded Smashed Potatoes
There’s something about a crispy, cheesy bite that just hits right after a long day! When you need a starter or side that people actually look forward to, these Loaded Smashed Potatoes come through with melted cheese, bacon, and that golden crunch. These are the kind of spuds that make plain mashed feel like a missed opportunity. You’ll want to keep a second batch ready—they vanish fast!
Get the Recipe: Loaded Smashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Avocado Toast
This is comfort food with a fresh twist that still keeps you full and happy! Swapping bread for thick roasted slices make these Sweet Potato Avocado Toasts a smart pick when you want something simple that still feels special. Whether you serve it at brunch or as a quick snack, it checks every box for a creative side that’s easy to pull off. It’s one of those recipes you’ll make once and then crave again tomorrow!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Avocado Toast
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Potatoes
Warm, cheesy, and full of garlic—the kind of side that makes dinner feel like something worth sitting down for! When your hands are full but you still want something that feels homemade, these Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Potatoes step up without adding work. These cook low and slow, turning tender and flavorful with almost zero effort. It’s the easiest way to bring real comfort to the table!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Potatoes
Slow Cooker Potato Soup
Big flavor with zero babysitting—this one’s a lifesaver on cold days! Instead of standing over the stove, this Slow Cooker Potato Soup lets you dump and walk away while it simmers into something thick, buttery, and rich. It’s a great way to break out of the mashed potato routine with something warm that doubles as a meal or starter. You’ll want extra bowls on hand because one isn’t enough!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Potato Soup
Cottage Fries
Crispy enough to hear the crunch from across the room! With golden edges and soft centers, these Cottage Fries are simple, classic, and way more exciting than basic mashed. They’re oven-baked, easy to season your way, and perfect for dipping or piling on a platter. These are the kind of sides that disappear before dinner even starts!
Get the Recipe: Cottage Fries
Easy Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
Stacked high and packed with flavor, these go big without needing cheese or cream! These Easy Vegan Scalloped Potatoes are soft, garlicky, and baked to a golden finish that proves you don’t need dairy to make a great side. This one’s perfect for anyone looking to try something different beyond the usual mashed routine. It’s pure comfort, layered up and ready to share!
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
Potato And Sausage Chowder
Thick, smoky, and built for cold nights—this bowl means business! This Potato And Sausage Chowder brings meat, potatoes, and depth together in one no-fuss pot, making it perfect when you want something more than just a side. It’s the hearty pick when mashed just won’t cut it. Every spoonful feels like a win!
Get the Recipe: Potato And Sausage Chowder
Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
Crispy shells packed with creamy, cheesy filling—this is how you do comfort food right! These Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes bring the boldness of a full meal in side dish form with bacon, green onions, and mountains of cheese. They’re hearty, reliable, and way more fun than plain mashed. Once these hit the table, everything else fades out!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
Air Fryer Rosemary Potatoes
Dinner smells better the second these come out of the air fryer! These Air Fryer Rosemary Potatoes have a crispy outside, tender inside, and a bold kick of rosemary that makes them feel way more fancy than the effort it takes. They’re a solid option when you want something flavorful that doesn’t involve boiling or mashing. They’re gone before you know it—every single time!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Rosemary Potatoes
Funeral Potatoes (with Real Potatoes)
Nothing says comfort like a hot, cheesy dish straight from the oven! These Funeral Potatoes (with Real Potatoes) skip the frozen shortcuts and give you real texture, real flavor, and that buttery crunch on top that never gets old. This is a must-make when mashed feels too plain but you still want something familiar. They hit like a hug in every bite!
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes (with Real Potatoes)
Easy Stuffed Baked Potatoes
This one’s a whole meal hiding in a potato skin! These Easy Stuffed Baked Potatoes come packed with cheese, bacon, and sour cream, making them a bold move when mashed just isn’t cutting it. They’re easy to prep, filling enough to stand alone, and always a crowd favorite. You’ll want a fork and a napkin for this one!
Get the Recipe: Easy Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Deviled Egg Potato Salad
This is two picnic classics smashed into one bowl of greatness! This Deviled Egg Potato Salad brings the richness of eggs and the heartiness of potatoes together for something bold, creamy, and a little tangy. It’s a total standout when you want to serve something beyond mashed at the next potluck or barbecue. Everyone goes back for seconds—it’s that kind of dish!
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Potato Salad
Cheesy Potato Puffs Recipe
Think of them as mashed potatoes with a glow-up! This Cheesy Potato Puffs Recipe turns leftovers into golden, bite-sized snacks that are crispy outside and soft in the middle. Perfect for parties or snacking, these work great when you want something fun and totally different from your usual sides. You’ll be lucky if any make it to the table!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Potato Puffs Recipe
Surprise Potatoes
There’s nothing boring about biting into these! Each one of these Surprise Potatoes hides a cheesy, spicy, or meaty filling, making them more exciting than anything mashed could pull off. Whether it’s bacon, jalapeños, or gooey cheese, every bite hits differently. They’re fun to make and even better to eat!
Get the Recipe: Surprise Potatoes
Chili Baked Potato
This combo pulls no punches—bold, messy, and full of flavor! This Chili Baked Potato turns a regular baked spud into a full-on comfort meal with spicy meat, beans, and melty toppings. It’s the perfect way to step away from plain mashed and bring something hearty to the table. You’ll want extra napkins and a big appetite!
Get the Recipe: Chili Baked Potato
Baked Potato Soup Chilis
Big comfort without ever leaving the house! Inspired by the restaurant classic, this Baked Potato Soup Chilis style loads you up with everything you love—cheese, bacon, and thick, creamy potatoes. It’s an easy choice when mashed sounds too basic but you still want something warm and filling. This one sticks with you in the best way!
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato Soup Chilis
Crispy Accordion Potatoes Recipe
This is the side that gets people talking! With each slice fanned out and roasted to golden perfection, this Crispy Accordion Potatoes Recipe brings crunch, flavor, and serious presentation power. Way more exciting than your basic mashed, they turn an ordinary meal into something special. No one can resist grabbing one—just watch!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Accordion Potatoes Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Crispy edges, soft centers, and ready in a flash—this one checks every box! These Easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes recipe looks fancy but takes almost no work, making it perfect when you want something that feels different than the usual mash. It’s a total crowd-pleaser that cooks fast and disappears faster. These belong in your regular side dish rotation!
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Pommes Duchesse
These golden swirls are as fun to eat as they are to serve! With a crisp outside and creamy mashed center, these Pommes Duchesse take potatoes to a new level without being too complicated. They’re great when you want to serve something that feels special but still works alongside your favorite mains. Everyone thinks you spent way more time than you did!
Get the Recipe: Pommes Duchesse
Creamy Vegan Potato Soup Recipe
Warm, smooth, and comforting from the first spoonful! This Creamy Vegan Potato Soup Recipe uses no dairy but still delivers that rich, buttery texture people love. It’s a great option when you want a starter that’s different from mashed but still easy and cozy. This one’s proof that simple can still be bold!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Potato Soup Recipe
18 Stunning Party Desserts That Look Too Pretty To Eat But Too Indulgent To Resist
Who says you can’t have beauty and flavor in one bite? These party desserts are so gorgeous, they’ll steal the spotlight before they even hit the table. But don’t let their looks fool you—once your guests take a bite, they’ll be hooked on the indulgent flavors inside!
17 Crowd-Pleasing Party Starters To Set The Tone For Any Celebration
These crowd-pleasing party starters will have guests reaching for more before they even get to the main event. Whether you’re hosting a cozy get-together or a big bash, these bites are guaranteed to set the tone for an unforgettable party!
Tamara Tsaturyan is the owner and writer of Thriving In Parenting, a website focused on providing simple tips for busy parents — easy and healthy recipes, home decor and organization ideas and all things P A R E N T I N G.
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