18 dinner recipes with potatoes as the main attraction
Despite their variety in texture and incredible flavor, potatoes are often relegated to a supporting role when it comes to dinner. But why should they be? Potatoes deserve to be the main attraction naturally, which are creamy, delicious, and with a wonderful ability to be soft or crunchy. From gnocchi to quiche to classic shepherd’s pie, these recipes provide year-round versatility for enjoying potatoes as a dinner, not just a side.
Related: Find out why Martha really does chop potatoes, then try her favorite recipes
Alsatian potato pie
This golden potato dish from the Yukon is stunning, with golden puff pastry topped with greens and Comte cheese. One neat trick: Pour the finished cream mixture into the pie holes using a funnel.
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Crispy potato herb quiche
If you’re gluten-free, potatoes may indeed be your best friend, but if you haven’t tried making a soft, crunchy crust out of them yet, go for this quiche. A crust made of thinly sliced Yukon Gold potatoes contains a creamy egg and a mixture of herbs of your choice, such as chives, tarragon, and parsley.
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Potato kugel gratin
Matzo meal is the secret weapon in this classic Easter side dish, ensuring a golden crust. The potatoes and eggs do the heavy lifting, while the thyme and shallots add flavor.
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Potato pancakes
If you thought making gnocchi was difficult or that it required special potatoes or flour, this simple recipe turns that stereotype on its head, using Idaho potatoes and all-purpose flour to make delicious, tender, and easy gnocchi. You don’t need a gnocchi roller, just a fork, but the recipe calls for a potato masher or food mill.
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Potato and bacon cake
Bacon fat is key to this completely satisfying dinner, which consists of layers of Yukon Gold potatoes and bacon, then pours the fat over it all. The crispy potatoes and crispy bacon are worth the hour in the oven.
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Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Few things are better than creamy mashed potatoes—except for a whole pie topped with them. For this hearty, soul-satisfying dinner, sauté mushrooms, carrots, peas, and French green lentils, then place rich, buttery potatoes on top and bake.
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Twice baked potato with broccoli
If you usually add broccoli on top of a baked potato, try this recipe instead. Mash the potatoes and broccoli together, then add the spices and butter, and you’ll rest the potato skins with the mixture and bake. You can even make this a day ahead and refrigerate it, then bake it for 30 minutes.
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Smoked roast potato soup
This is a simple recipe with just a few ingredients, but the end result is a comforting soup you’ll want as leftovers for days. Baby red potatoes make a delicious base for this soup, along with chorizo (or substitute andouille sausage or chopped cooked bacon).
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Asparagus and potato gratin
Asparagus, goat cheese, and pecorino Romano complement potatoes with aplomb, but this recipe goes one step further by adding sliced prosciutto and chive blossoms to an already hearty potato gratin.
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Related: 30 Creamy Gratin Recipes That Are Super Convenient
Broccoli Casserole – Cheddar Hash Brown
This Swiss Rosti is a little different, featuring shredded sharp cheddar, Dijon mustard, Greek yogurt, green onions, and broccoli. If that sounds wild, wait until you get a taste of how these flavors meld together, first in a skillet, then in the oven. Sprinkle some bacon to finish.
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Baked potatoes with poblanos and sour cream
She’ll make our con ragas taste creamy, then add them to baked potatoes for this light dinner. Sauté the peppers and onions with the broth and sour cream, then add the lemon juice and Worcestershire. If you like, add the meat or beans of your choice for a healthier meal option.
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Salmon croquettes and mashed potatoes
When you fry this combination of fluffy potatoes and salmon covered in panko breadcrumbs, there won’t be any leftovers. You can use canned or smoked salmon. Serve with a green salad and be sure to dip the spicy tomato or curry sour cream sauce.
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Twice baked potato and raclette casserole
If you love fondue, you’ll delight in a potato casserole enriched with butter, sour cream, cream cheese, and raclette. Crispy potato skins roasted with garlic and sage add texture and flavor to an already interesting dish.
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Tartifleet
Real Reblochon cheese can be difficult to come by in the United States, but Robiola Bosina or Brie can work as substitutes. Then this dish is just a matter of layering potatoes, bacon, cheese and bread until champagne.
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Potato and celery root Rösti
Potatoes contain a surprising amount of liquid, so grating them and squeezing out the moisture is key to a rosti—or Swiss potato cake—recipe. Celery root adds a subtle floral flavor to the cake, while serving with sour cream adds richness.
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Cheddar, beef and potato casserole
You already know that ground beef plays well with cheese, but an easy protein can complement potatoes, too. Sautéed onions and mushrooms add even more umami to this casserole, and frozen mixed veggies and stir-fries don’t complete the chop.
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Fennel and potato bread
Are you shy of fennel? Potatoes are the neutral partner for a strong-flavored vegetable, especially when Asiago cheese is part of the dish. And a hearty helping of cream doesn’t hurt.
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Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Anna
Contrary to conventional wisdom, potatoes and sweet potatoes can be cooked together, if the cooking methods and timing are right. Our four-ingredient recipe starts in the skillet and finishes in the oven, using the mixing powers of butter and the manual labor of a manual slicer or sharp knife to make potatoes tender enough to roast perfectly.
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Related: How to Wash Potatoes Safely and Effectively
