These potato enchiladas will have you licking your plate clean. They’re made with leftover mashed potatoes, gooey cheese, and tangy salsa verde. You can even double or triple the recipe to serve a hungry crowd.
If you’re anything like me, you probably end up with some leftover mashed potatoes after a big family meal. And while mashed potatoes are always great on their own, sometimes I like to get a little creative and turn them into something new. That’s where these potato enchiladas come in—and let me tell you, they’re an absolute game-changer!
I made these enchiladas with my Mexican mashed potatoes recipe and let me tell you that they’re divine! The slightly spicy and creamy potatoes pair amazingly with the green sauce and the mild cheese.
I love making these enchiladas because they’re super easy, comforting, and a great way to breathe new life into those leftover mashed potatoes.
Plus, they’ve got all the delicious flavors of a traditional green enchilada but with a twist that makes them stand out.
What You’ll Need
- Leftover mashed potatoes (the creamier, the better!).
- Corn tortillas (or flour tortillas, whatever you prefer).
- Salsa verde (store-bought or homemade).
- Shredded cheese (I love a good blend of cheese that melts well. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack or Mexican quesadilla cheese).
- Shredded chicken or turkey (this is optional, use chicken rotisserie leftovers or leave it out if you don’t have any).
- A bit of oil for frying.
How to Make Mashed Potato Enchiladas Step by Step
As I said before, I used my recipe for the mashed potatoes, but feel free to use any recipe you prefer as those enchiladas are made with leftovers.
Start by heating up your leftover mashed potatoes. You can add a little extra butter or cream to make them even smoother if you like!
Then prepare the enchilada sauce you’d like to use, I prefer salsa verde (click on the image below), but also red enchilada sauce can be used.
You can find both recipes here on my blog. Or you can use your favorite brand of store-bought enchilada sauce.
Lightly fry the tortillas in some oil until they’re a little bit crispy on the outside but still soft on the inside. This gives them the perfect texture to hold up when you add all the toppings!
Spread a generous scoop of mashed potatoes on each tortilla.
Now, if you want your enchiladas to be more fulfilling, add some shredded chicken or turkey leftovers…yum!
Then roll them and place them on a baking dish. I added a bit of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish but you can actually butter or oil the dish.
Once all the rolled-up tortillas are placed in a baking dish, cover them with a good amount of enchilada sauce.
Then top them with shredded Mozzarella cheese, quesadilla cheese, or any type of melty cheese you prefer.
Add as much as you’d want, if you’re a cheese lover, you can also add cheese to the filling before rolling the tortillas.
Pop the dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 18-20 minutes.
Once your potato enchiladas are out of the oven, top them with some queso fresco and fresh cilantro if you like a little extra flavor.
How to Pair These Enchiladas
Here are some delicious ideas for serving your mashed potato enchiladas that will make them even more enjoyable!
1. Side Salad
A light, fresh salad can balance out the richness of the enchiladas. Try a simple green salad with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of salt, or go for a crunchy Mexican-style slaw made with cabbage, carrots, and a tangy dressing.
2. Mexican Rice
You can’t go wrong with fluffy Mexican rice on the side. It pairs perfectly with the creamy mashed potatoes in the enchiladas, and the flavors work wonderfully together.
3. Refried Beans
Serve with a side of refried beans—whether pinto or black beans. The smooth, earthy flavor of the beans complements the cheesy and tangy enchiladas, making it feel like a complete meal.
More Enchiladas Recipes
These potato enchiladas are the perfect dish for using up leftovers, and they always make me feel like I’m eating something a little special, even if it’s just mashed potatoes!
Give them a try next time you’ve got some potatoes left over—you’ll be hooked! And don’t forget to leave your comments below or to follow this blog on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.
Leftover Mashed Potato Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 6 corn tortillas
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (use leftovers)
- 1 cup shredded melty cheese (such as mozzarella, quesadilla cheese, monterey jack)
- 1 cup shredded chicken (optional)
- 1 ½ cups salsa verde (homemade or store-bought)
- oil for frying (as needed)
- cilantro leaves (optional, for garnish)
- queso fresco (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Heat your leftover mashed potatoes in a pan or microwave. Add a bit of butter or cream to make them smoother if needed.
- Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet.
- Lightly fry each tortilla until they’re a bit crispy on the outside but still pliable. Set aside on a plate.
- Spread a generous scoop of mashed potatoes onto each tortilla.
- Add shredded chicken or turkey if you want a heartier filling.
- Roll up the tortillas and place them seam-side down in a greased or sauced baking dish.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the rolled tortillas, covering them evenly and then sprinkle the shredded cheese generously on top.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the enchiladas for 18-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once out of the oven, top with crumbled queso fresco and fresh cilantro for extra flavor, if desired, then serve.
Notes
- Lightly frying the tortillas prevents them from becoming soggy after adding the sauce.
- If you prefer a lighter option, you can warm the tortillas on a dry skillet or in the microwave.
- Salsa verde adds a tangy, fresh flavor, while red enchilada sauce offers a richer, smoky taste. Choose based on your preference.
Very Good! I did not have corn tortillas on hand so used my Keto street tortillas. They worked well. I also used red enchilada sauce instead of the salsa verde. I am going to make these again. I will try the salsa verde next time.
Thank you Sandra, glad you enjoyed these potato enchiladas!
OMG! best enchiladas ever and my family devoured them! I used store-bought salsa tomatillo, leftovers potatoes (mashed them with a bit of cream and butter) and baked as per intructions with lots of cheese on top. AMAZING! From now will make more mashed potatoes to always get leftovers and make these enchiladas, my family made me promise that haha