Stuffed Mashed Potato Nests
Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes serve as the perfect base for these stuffed nests, combining warmth and heartiness in every bite.
Ingredients
Mashed Potato Mixture
- 4 cups mashed potatoes (prepared, cooled)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
- 1 cup cooked and diced meat (like chicken, sausage, or bacon) or sautéed vegetables
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk (or cream for richer flavor)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 2 Tbsp fresh chives (chopped)
- Optional: additional cheese for topping
- Optional: sour cream or yogurt for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a muffin tin with butter or cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, diced meat or vegetables, egg, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and chopped chives. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, portion out the mashed potato mixture into each muffin cup, pressing down slightly to mold them into nest shapes.
Baking
- Bake the nests in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and crispy.
- If desired, sprinkle additional cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Carefully remove the nests from the muffin tin and serve warm.
Notes
Use a mix of cheeses for added flavor and texture. Adjust the seasonings to your taste or add herbs like thyme or rosemary for a fragrant boost. Allow the nests to cool slightly before removing them to help them hold their shape. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge; they reheat beautifully in the oven.