What to cook with potatoes — ideas beyond mashed

Potatoes make it easy to put together something simple and filling, and mash is nowhere near the limit. If you have a kilo of them in the cupboard, you already have the base for a casserole, hash browns, a skillet stew or a thick soup. Most of the dishes below land around 25 to 45 minutes, so even a weeknight works.

We gathered 8 tried and tested homemade ideas that turn out tasty even without special skills. Pick any of them and see which one fits best with whatever is in your fridge right now. Most need just the basics: potatoes, an onion, a little oil and a few spices that are almost always within reach.

1. Oven-roasted potato wedges

Cut the potatoes into wedges, toss them with oil, salt, paprika and dried garlic, then roast at 200C for about 30 to 35 minutes. The outside turns golden and crisp while the inside stays soft and tender. Serve them with a sour cream dip or simply with dill, since this dish stands on its own. It is the easiest option when you want something ready without much fuss at the stove.

2. Hash browns

Grate raw potatoes on the fine side of a grater, add an egg, a little flour and salt, and fry small pancakes in hot oil until deeply golden. The edges come out crisp while the middle stays soft and tender, with that unmistakable potato flavour. The whole batch takes around 25 to 30 minutes. Serve them hot with sour cream, a classic that grown-ups and kids both love.

3. Potatoes with mushrooms

Fry sliced potatoes until half cooked, brown the button mushrooms with onion separately, then bring everything together in one pan and finish under a lid until soft. The mushrooms give off a rich aroma, and the potatoes soak it up and turn even tastier. The whole dish takes about 30 to 35 minutes and holds its warmth well. Scatter fresh herbs at the end and serve straight from the pan.

4. Potato casserole

Layer thinly sliced potatoes with sauteed onion and, if you like, minced meat or mushrooms, pour over a mix of cream or sour cream with egg, and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. A tempting golden crust forms on top while everything inside turns tender and juicy. This is a hearty dish that feeds a whole family from a single tray. Let it rest a few minutes so it is easier to cut into neat pieces.

5. Potatoes stewed with vegetables

Dice the potatoes, add carrot, onion, bell pepper and a little tomato, pour in some water and stew under a lid until soft. The vegetables release their juices, so the dish comes out fragrant, juicy and thick, almost like a ragout. The whole thing needs around 35 to 40 minutes, and it tastes just as good warm or the next day. Toss in some beans or pieces of meat for something more filling.

6. Potato soup

Simmer potatoes with carrot and onion in broth or water, add herbs to taste, and serve it as a light clear soup, or blend everything into a smooth cream. The first version comes out homely and simple, the second velvety and thick, the kind that nicely coats the spoon. It is ready in about 30 minutes from washing to plate, a quick fix when you want something warm. Croutons or a little crisp bacon on top suit the cream version well.

7. Fried potatoes with onion

Cut the potatoes into batons, lay them on a hot oiled pan and fry without rushing to stir, so a crust can form, then add the onion towards the end. The potatoes turn golden and crisp at the edges, with sweet fried onion and a rich homemade taste. The whole dish takes about 25 minutes and needs nothing but salt and a bit of patience. It is the case where a plain set of ingredients gives a much-loved result.

8. Country-style oven potatoes

Cut well-washed potatoes into large wedges with the skin on, toss them with oil, rosemary, paprika and salt, and bake at 200C for about 35 to 40 minutes. The skin turns appetisingly dried out while the flesh stays fluffy and fragrant inside. Serve them in the skin with a garlic or yoghurt dip. They look restaurant-worthy yet cook effortlessly while you get on with your own things.

Why potatoes are such a handy ingredient

Potatoes keep for a long time, cost very little and pair with almost everything: mushrooms, vegetables, meat, cheese, herbs. From the same kilo you can make a crisp skillet, a tender casserole or a thick soup, depending on your mood and how much time you have. It is an ingredient that is nearly always within reach and saves the day when you want something real and warm but do not feel like running to the shop.

When your head is a muddle and it is not clear what to start with, just type your potatoes and a few other ingredients into abc-eat, and the service will show you ready dishes to match your fridge, with no extra steps and no sign-up.