20 Potato Dishes You Must Eat Before You Die

Three Images of Recipes Involving Potatoes as the Main Ingredient

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Three Images of Recipes Involving Potatoes as the Main Ingredient
Cheapism / OksanaKiian/istockphoto / vaaseenaa/istockphoto / EzumeImages/istockphoto

Potato Dishes You Must Eat

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

Cheesy Potato Casserole Plated
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1. Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

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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Smashed Potatoes on a Baking Pan
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2. Smashed Potatoes

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

Picadillo on a White Plate With Soft Tortillas
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3. Picadillo

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.

Closeup of Twice Baked Potatoes With Cheese and Bacon on Baking Pan
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4. Twice-Baked Potatoes

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.

Roasted Baby Potatoes With Thyme in Bakeware
IngridHS/istockphoto

5. Minted Baby Potatoes, Peas, and Creme Fraiche

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

Piping Hot Zuppa Toscana in Two Black Bowls
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6. Zuppa Toscana

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!

Diced Breakfast Potatoes Being Fried on a Skillet on the Stove
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7. Breakfast Potatoes

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

Saffron Mashed Potatoes in an Old Tiny Pan, Selective Focus
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8. Saffron Mashed Potatoes

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.

Two Hasselback Potatoes on a White Plate with Garnishes and a Fork
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9. Hasselback Potatoes

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.

A Latke With a Dollop of Sour Cream on a Black Plate, Selective Focus
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Top-View of Potato Leek Soup in a White Large Cup
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11. Potato Leek Soup

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.

Potato Gnocchi with Parmesan and Olive Oil in a White Serving Bowl with a Fork
Bartosz Luczak/istockphoto

12. Gnocchi

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.

Top-View of Sweet Potato Salad on a Paper Plate With a Fork
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13. Vegan Sweet Potato Salad

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

Papeta par Eda in a Cast Iron Skillet
rudisill/istockphoto

14. Papeta par Eda

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.

llapingachos With a Side Salad on a Brown Ceramic Plate
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15. llapingachos

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!

Open Sweet Potato Tacos on a Grey Stone Table
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Closeup of Sichuan Stir-Fried Potato Slivers Cooking in a Skillet
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17. Sichuan Stir-Fried Potato Slivers

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.

Spanish Tortilla Pieces on White Serving Paper
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Closeup of Patatas Bravas in a Brown Ceramic Bowl
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19. Patatas Bravas

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.

Niçoise Salad With Salmon on a White Plate
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20. Niçoise Salad

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