It won’t be long before we are rolling in Thanksgiving leftovers.
I enjoy the opportunity to create “encore meals” from the leftovers. One of my favorite ways to use leftover mashed potatoes is in pierogi casserole. This goes together quickly and can easily be altered to suit your family’s preferences. My children prefer milder cheeses, so I use mostly mozzarella cheese, but feel free to use stronger cheeses.
I serve this as either a meatless dish with a garden salad or as a side dish. However, if there is any leftover, my kids request this for breakfast and I haven’t been able to think of a reason why I shouldn’t let them eat it then. 🙂
If your mashed potatoes have dried out while in the refrigerator, add a tablespoon or two of milk to make them easier to spread.
Pierogi Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles, prepared according to package directions
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- 3 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 6 green onions, thinly sliced including the tops
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 pan. Place 3 4 noodles on the bottom of the pan.
- In a small bowl, combine cottage cheese and egg. Spread the mixture evenly over the lasagna noodles. Sprinkle 1/3 of the green onion slices over the cottage cheese mixture.
- Place 3 - 4 noodles over the green onions. In a medium bowl, combine mashed potatoes and mozzarella cheese. Spread the potato mixture over the noodles. Then top with half of the remaining green onion slices.
- Place 3 - 4 noodles over the green onions. Brush melted butter over the noodles. Sprinkle with remaining green onions and cheeses.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 – 10 minutes or until the cheese begins to brown.
What is your favorite way to use leftover mashed potatoes?
Sadie says
My favorite way to use up leftover mashed potatoes is to make potato enchiladas. For the filling I use mashed potatoes, green onions, and corn. Use whatever type of tortilla you prefer – flour, whole wheat, or corn all work well. Smother in enchilada sauce and top with shredded cheese (if you’re not dairy free or vegan).
Phoebe @ GettingFreedom says
I never would have thought to make enchiladas from mashed potatoes! How unique. We just might have to give that a try. Anything in a tortilla, and smothered in enchilada sauce and cheese has got to be good, right? 🙂
Alea says
I have never heard of potato enchiladas before, but it sure sounds delicious!
Toni says
This sounds soooo good! I’m going to make some mashed potatoes just so I can make these. Thanks!!
Laura says
Our family favorite is potato pancakes! Of course u fry them in butter and onions!
Alea says
Absolutely! That’s the only way to cook potato pancakes!
Sheila says
I’ve never heard of pierogi casserole before. My oldest daughter absolutely loves pierogies so I know she’ll love this. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe.
Phoebe @ GettingFreedom says
This sounds SO good! We always have leftover mashed potatoes, and I usually just use them for Shepard’s Pie.
Alea says
Shepard’s Pie is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover mashed potatoes, as well as the other misc. leftovers in the fridge! I still don’t have a formal recipe, because it is a little different each time.
Allison says
I love milder tasting onions (green onions = not so much), so I would probably carmelized some Vidalias and add them instead of the green onions, but otherwise this sounds DIVINE! Def need to balance out all the carbs with a robust salad.
jan says
this sounds delish to me but my kid would never eat something so mixed together
if I was just making it for me I’d put some cooked cabbage in it too
Alea says
My two oldest kids did not like mixed food when they were young, but have outgrown it. My youngest will eat mixed food as long as it is really flavorful.
I have never added cabbage to this casserole, but I have added layers of spinach leaves and we all enjoyed it. I bet cabbage would taste great!
Cheryl says
I think this is awesome, my youngest LOVES mashed potatoes so we have them often! He also loves pierogies so this would be right up his alley! He is not an onion fan as of yet (he’s only 9) so I would omit the onions, and add mushrooms-he adores them, and some broccoli as well.
Many ways to customize this, awesome idea!
Thanks!
Lori says
Gonna try this tonight. This sounds really good and my kids like pierogies. I’ve been using recipies from this sight for several months now. We are a family of 15. Mom, Dad and 13 kids. Been a great way to save money.
Kelli says
I made this tonight with garlic mashed potatoes and it was delicious! Thank you, Alea!
Alea says
What a wonderful idea! I will definitely your version the next time we have leftover garlic mashed potatoes!
Ellie says
I tried this recipe tonight. Even with the cheese on sale, as well as the cottage cheese, I don’t think I pulled it in under $5.00. I did however use Whole Wheat Pasta Noodles. This may have added to the cost. I broke it into two meals though and it will get us further. BY THE WAY, my VERY PICKY 2 Year Old DEVOURED it! Thanks!
Alea says
I am thrilled to hear your 2 year old enjoyed this casserole! That is a very high compliment!
When I made this recipe, I came in just under $5.oo. I sometimes wonder if (and if so, how much) I should share about how I create recipes for $5. But recently one of my IRL friends stopped me and asked me to break down a recipe for her, so I’m thinking I should probably share more of my money saving tips. 🙂
For this recipe, the potatoes and onions came from my garden (so they were almost free). I buy huge blocks of cheese, grate them, and freeze the shredded cheese in 2 cup portions (so 2 cups of cheese always comes in under $1.00). The cottage cheese and lasagna noodles were bought at Whole Foods Market where they let you combine their store coupons with manufacturer’s coupon which sometimes creates amazing deals. When I don’t have enough greens from my garden to make a salad, I buy 1 lb. containers of organic salad greens from Costco for $3.49 (that is $2.50 less than the grocery stores in my area.) I can get a lot of salads out of 1 pound of greens!
I can usually get 2 meals out of this casserole, which ends up making it a good deal, even if the price is over $5.00
jennifer meachem says
whatever… we NEVER have leftover mashed potatoes! ;o) but i am willing to make some just to try this recipe.
Shanny says
I use leftover mashed potatoes to make cottage/shepherd pie. I also use it at Thanksgiving to make layered casserole with the leftovers….starting with turkey on the bottom then topping it with veggies on top of it then the stuffing over it and finally the mashed potatoes and pour over leftover gravy then freeze it for a quick busy night.