20 Potato Dishes You Must Eat Before You Die

Potatoes. They’re reliable. Solid. Comfortable. And versatile! If you haven’t tried the potato dishes on this list, add them to your must-cook list immediately! From local comfort food to dishes from far afield, there’s surely something you’ve never tried on this list.

Related: 27 Tasty Ways to Cook Potatoes

You’ve maybe had a loaded baked potato…but have you had the casserole version? Loaded with ooey gooey cheese, sour cream, and chives, then topped with an unhealthy amount of bacon, it’s the perfect dish to take to a summer potluck. Or eat at midnight alone.

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No, that’s not a typo: smashed potatoes use smaller yellow potatoes that are first boiled to soften. After they cool, use a spatula or measuring cup to smash them down flat. Drizzle with olive oil and season to your taste. Bonus tip: a light sprinkling of flaky sea salt on top is divine.

Related: 10 Best Smothered Baked Potato Recipes

This Latin American dish includes ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and plenty of spices. While not every version includes potatoes (Mexico’s version does), yours definitely should. Serve with rice to take the heat away if you make it uber spicy.

Why bake your potatoes once when you can do it twice? The filling is scooped from the (once) baked potatoes, then mixed with bacon, cheddar, and green onions, and put back in the skins to bake.

Potato dishes don’t always have to be heavy. This dish, even better at room temperature, is refreshing thanks to the fresh mint sprinkled on top after caramelized shallots, peas, and creme fraiche are added to the potatoes.

Related: 15 Classic, Budget-Friendly French Dishes

Here’s a soupy version of potatoes you must try: this Italian soup includes lots of veggies, bacon, and sausage, as well as ample amounts of cream and parmesan cheese. Sop up the bottom of the bowl with a thick slice of Italian bread. Ideal for a cold day!

Those classic diners were onto something offering potatoes for breakfast. You can make your own at home by dicing potatoes, bell peppers, and onions and sprinkling with salt and cayenne. Roast in the oven and get ready to dig in. And heck, go all in and have eggs and bacon to round out your breakfast!

Related: Hearty Southern Breakfast Recipes Y'All Should Be Fixin' To Eat

Mashed potatoes might be the ultimate comfort food, especially when you make them from scratch. But if you want to take yours up a notch, add a little saffron for flavor and color. If you serve with fish, you can cook the potatoes in fish stock for more flavor.

The fact that each potato has dozens of thin horizontal slits in it allows for the garlic and butter to seep in, creating a flavor bomb. They’re fun to look at, too. Sprinkle rosemary on the top and serve with steak. Perfection.

Also known as potato pancakes, latkes have long been a staple at the Jewish table, especially at Hanukkah. They’re simple to make and are great with apple sauce or sour cream. You can also get creative and add onions or cheese to the recipe.

Related: I Made Mashed Potatoes From Potato Chips and It Did Not Go as I Expected

Another cold-day specialty: the combination of potatoes and leeks balances each other perfectly, and when blended, makes for a silky soup. If you want to get fancy, top with bacon, herbs, and/or a drizzle of olive oil.

Back to Italy with this dish: many people don’t realize that the pasta gnocchi is actually made from potatoes, eggs, and flour. Whether you make them from scratch or order them at a restaurant, they’re versatile with many sauces.

Let’s not forget about the sweet potato! Sometimes its subtle sweetness is exactly what’s needed. Like in a sweet potato salad, where you combine roasted sweet potatoes with avocados, black beans, and lettuce, then top with a lime cashew cilantro dressing.

Related: 52 Best Sweet Potato Recipes To Try All Year Long

This is a dish found in parts of India, and it’s a great way to use up leftover potatoes. Cook them with green chilies, cilantro, garlic, and ginger, then pop a poached egg on top, and you have a great meal for any time of day.

These Ecuadoran stuffed potato patties are filled with cheese and served with peanut sauce. They’re usually served with avocado, sausage, fried egg, and tomatoes. They’re unlike anything you’ve ever tried!

Here’s a great dish for your favorite vegan: the sweet potatoes, combined with black beans, avocado, cabbage, and goat cheese balance each other delightfully, and chili powder offsets the sweetness.

Related: How To Transform Boxed Mashed Potatoes Into a Cheap, Easy Dinner

Shaved into thin slivers, these potatoes are served crunchy and topped with Sichuan peppers for a little kick. Tip: it’s easier to get the consistent julienne shape with a mandolin slicer rather than try to cut them by hand.

No, this isn’t the tortilla you’re thinking of. It’s an egg and potato dish served in Spain. It can be served at room temperature and is great as tapas.

Related: 10 Cheap and Delicious Recipes Using Cream of Potato Soup

Super simple and great for breakfast, patatas bravas are chopped potatoes wrapped in a delightful sauce of onion, garlic, paprika, cayenne, diced tomatoes, and white wine vinegar. They’re served with garlic aioli.

This famous southern French salad has everything but the kitchen sink, including creamy potatoes. Tuna, eggs, olives, green beans, tomatoes…it’s healthy and delicious. The lemon dressing that goes on top is light but flavorful.

Related: King Ranch, Sweet Potato, and More Tasty Southern Casseroles