Potato Dumplings with Mashed Potatoes are a wonderfully practical example of old-fashioned home cooking, transforming a simple cup of mashed potatoes into tender, filling dumplings. Potato-based dumplings have long appeared throughout European and American cooking, particularly in regions where potatoes were an economical kitchen staple. This vintage version is especially straightforward: mashed potatoes are combined with eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, and salt to make a stiff dough, which is dropped directly into boiling salted water. After just ten minutes of cooking, the dumplings emerge soft and hearty, ready to accompany gravy, roasted meats, stews, or other comforting dishes. It is also an excellent way to give leftover mashed potatoes a delicious second life.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed potatoes
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- salted water (for boiling)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Mashed Potato Mixture
- Beat the eggs.
- Add the beaten eggs to the mashed potatoes and mix until smooth.
Step 2: Add the Remaining Ingredients
- Add the milk and salt.
- Stir in the flour and baking powder.
Step 3: Form the Dough
- Work the mixture together until a stiff dumpling dough forms.
Step 4: Prepare the Water
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
Step 5: Cook the Dumplings
- Drop spoonfuls of dough into the boiling salted water.
- Avoid overcrowding the pot; cook in batches if necessary.
Step 6: Finish Cooking
- Cook the dumplings for 10 minutes, as directed on the original recipe.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain well before serving.
Tips
- Cold or room-temperature leftover mashed potatoes work particularly well because they help produce a manageable dough.
- If your mashed potatoes are unusually soft or creamy, the dough may require a little additional flour to become stiff enough for dropping.
- Keep the water at a steady boil while adding the dumplings, then maintain a gentler boil as they cook.
- Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to make the dumplings relatively uniform in size.
- Avoid making oversized dumplings, which may remain doughy in the center after the stated 10-minute cooking time.
- Serve them with beef or chicken gravy for a classic comfort-food side dish.
- The dumplings also pair nicely with pot roast, roasted chicken, pork, or hearty stew.
- Add a small amount of chopped parsley or chives to the dough for a fresh variation.
- For a richer finish, toss the drained dumplings lightly with melted butter before serving.
- Leftover cooked dumplings can be sliced and lightly pan-fried in butter until golden.
Nutrition
Calories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 11gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.3gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 490mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 3.3mg