10+ Easy Potato Recipes You Can Make in Minutes

Potatoes are just ridiculously versatile. You can throw them into all sorts of dishes, whether you’re scrambling for something quick or looking to impress at dinner.

Honestly, they fit right into any plan with barely any effort.

Easy potato recipes let you whip up delicious meals without fancy skills or a ton of time. They’re perfect if you’re new to cooking, or just want something satisfying and low-stress.

With just a handful of basics, you can turn potatoes into a bunch of dishes everyone actually wants to eat.

1) Twice Baked Potatoes

Twice baked potatoes are a classic, and honestly, they’re easier than they look. Start by baking whole potatoes until they’re nice and soft.

Scoop out the insides, mash them up with butter, sour cream, and cheese, then stuff it all back into the skins.

Bake them again so the tops get golden and the cheese melts. The result: crispy outside, fluffy and flavorful inside.

Toss in extras like bacon or green onions if you’re feeling it. I usually bake potatoes at 425°F (220°C) for about an hour, then prep the filling while they cool a bit.

Ingredients

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 strips bacon (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Bake potatoes whole for about 1 hour until soft.
3. Let cool, then cut potatoes in half lengthwise.
4. Scoop out the inside and mash it with butter, sour cream, cheese, salt, and pepper.
5. Stir in cooked bacon if using.
6. Spoon the mixture back into the skins.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the tops are golden.

For more details, visit this twice baked potatoes guide.

2) Ham and Potato Soup

Ham and potato soup is the kind of meal you make when you want something cozy but not fussy. It’s a great way to use up leftover ham, too.

Just cook potatoes, ham, onion, and celery in water or broth until the potatoes are tender. Toss in carrots or cheese if you want to jazz it up.

The soup turns out creamy but not heavy, and it comes together pretty fast. I like it for busy nights or when I just want something warm.

Ingredients

• 4 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup cooked ham, chopped
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 3 cups water or broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: carrots, cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine potatoes, ham, onion, celery, and water or broth in a large pot.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium.
3. Simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add cheese or carrots if you want, then cook a few minutes more before serving.

3) Ranch Potato Salad

Ranch potato salad is a crowd-pleaser for cookouts or just a quick meal. Boil red potatoes, then mix them up with ranch dressing, bacon, and cheddar.

You can toss in green onions or extra bacon if you want more flavor. The ranch gives it a cool, tangy kick that works great with the warm potatoes.

Honestly, using a ranch dressing mix with mayo keeps it super creamy and saves a lot of time.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds small red potatoes
• 1 packet ranch dressing mix
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4-5 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• ¾ cup chopped green onions (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and cool.
2. Mix ranch dressing mix with mayonnaise in a large bowl.
3. Add potatoes, cheese, bacon, and green onions to the bowl.
4. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.

For more details, see this Ranch Potato Salad recipe.

4) Fondant Potatoes

Fondant potatoes sound fancy, but they’re actually pretty simple. Cut potatoes into thick rounds, then brown them in butter or oil until they’re golden on both sides.

After that, bake them in broth with butter and thyme. This makes the inside creamy and rich, while the outside stays crisp.

The combo of searing and baking gives you something way better than regular roast potatoes. It takes about an hour, but most of that is hands-off.

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Peel and cut potatoes into thick rounds.
3. Heat butter and oil in an oven-safe pan over medium-high heat.
4. Add potatoes and brown for 5 minutes on each side.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and add thyme.
6. Pour chicken stock around potatoes.
7. Transfer pan to the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes until tender.
8. Remove and serve warm.

For more details, see this fondant potatoes recipe.

5) Oven Roasted Potatoes

Oven roasted potatoes are a weeknight staple. Cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes.

Soak them in cold water for 20 minutes if you want extra crispiness. Toss with olive oil, garlic, and whatever herbs you like.

Spread the potatoes out on a baking sheet so they roast instead of steam. Bake at 425°F (220°C) until they’re golden and crispy, about 30-40 minutes.

Flip them halfway through for even browning. This side goes with almost anything and is easy to tweak with different spices.

Ingredients

• Potatoes (cut into 1-inch cubes)
• Olive oil
• Garlic (minced)
• Fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary)
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Optional: Soak potatoes in cold water for 20 minutes, then drain and dry.
3. Toss potatoes with olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
4. Spread potatoes evenly on a baking sheet.
5. Roast for 30-40 minutes, turning once halfway through.
6. Serve warm.

Learn more about roasting potatoes here.

6) Shepherd’s Pie with Potatoes

Shepherd’s Pie is pure comfort food. Start by cooking ground meat with veggies like carrots and peas.

Add a savory sauce to pull it all together. The mashed potato topping is creamy and smooth, which is a nice contrast to the filling.

Once you assemble it, bake until the potatoes turn golden and the filling bubbles up. You can use lamb or beef, and I like to mix butter or cheese into the potatoes for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ to 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1 pound ground lamb or beef
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup peas
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Boil potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes.
3. Mash potatoes with butter and a little salt.
4. Cook meat with onions, carrots, and peas until browned.
5. Add broth and simmer until thickened.
6. Spread meat mixture in a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden on top.

7) Rösti Potato Pancakes

Rösti is a Swiss potato pancake that’s way easier than it sounds. You just shred some potatoes—pre-cooked ones hold together better—and sometimes add onion or cured meat.

Fry the mix in butter or oil until the outside turns crispy and golden. The inside stays soft and fluffy, which is honestly the best part.

It’s a solid side or even a snack for breakfast or dinner. You can keep it plain or throw in veggies or cheese.

Ingredients

• 2 large potatoes (pre-cooked and cooled)
• 1 small onion (optional)
• 2 tbsp butter or oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and shred the potatoes.
2. Finely chop the onion if using, then mix with potatoes, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
4. Press the potato mix into the pan, flattening it out.
5. Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
6. Flip carefully and cook the other side for another 5 minutes.
7. Serve hot and enjoy your crispy rösti.

For more details, check this Rösti potato cake recipe.

8) Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

Air fryer baby potatoes are a lifesaver when you need a quick side. Just season the potatoes with herbs and spices, toss them in the air fryer, and let it do its thing.

You barely need any oil, so it’s lighter than deep-frying. The air fryer gets them crispy outside, soft inside, and it usually takes around 15 minutes.

Mix in whatever seasonings you like—garlic powder, oregano, salt. These go with almost anything and are perfect when you’re short on time.

Ingredients

• 1 pound baby potatoes
• 1 tablespoon melted butter or oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• Sea salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the baby potatoes with melted butter, garlic powder, oregano, and salt.
3. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
4. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
5. Check for tenderness and crispiness before serving.

9) Garlic-Thyme Roast Potatoes

Garlic-thyme roast potatoes are honestly a breeze to make, and they pack a ton of flavor. You just toss potato chunks with fresh garlic, thyme, a good splash of olive oil, and a pinch of salt.

Throw them in the oven, and pretty soon the kitchen smells amazing. They get all crispy on the outside, but the inside stays soft—kind of irresistible, honestly.

The garlic and thyme hit you with that herby aroma. These potatoes make a killer side, and you can get them done in about 40 minutes if you’re not dragging your feet.

If you want a more detailed recipe, check it out here.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds potatoes, cut into chunks
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss the potatoes in a bowl with garlic, thyme, olive oil, and salt.
3. Spread everything out on a baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Roast for 35-40 minutes, turning them halfway, until they’re golden and crispy.

10) Loaded Grilled Potato Rounds

Loaded grilled potato rounds—honestly, who can resist potatoes on the grill? You just slice up some potatoes into rounds and coat them with olive oil and whatever spices call your name that day.

Microwaving the slices first softens them up, so they cook through faster on the grill. I usually toss them on, then pile on cheese, bacon bits, and green onions right after flipping.

A little sour cream on top really seals the deal. These work as a quick side or, honestly, I’ve made a meal out of them at a backyard hangout.

Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Olive oil
• Garlic salt or seasonings
• Shredded cheese
• Cooked bacon bits
• Green onions
• Sour cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice potatoes into ¼-inch rounds.
2. Microwave potato slices for 3-4 minutes until they’re just a bit soft.
3. Brush with olive oil and shake on garlic salt.
4. Grill on foil over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes per side.
5. Sprinkle cheese, bacon, and green onions over the top.
6. Grill 2 more minutes, just until the cheese gets melty.
7. Serve with a spoonful of sour cream.

For more details, see loaded grilled potatoes at Daisy Brand.