Have you ever looked at a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes and a hot cheesy pizza and wished you did not have to choose between them? Most people think of pizza as a tomato sauce dish and potatoes as a side dish for dinner. But what happens when you break the rules and put them together? You get the ultimate comfort food. This mashed potato pizza is a game-changer that will make you rethink everything you know about your favorite Friday night meal.
What Makes This Mashed Potato Pizza Special?
Print
Homemade Supreme Mashed Potato Pizza: The Best Comfort Food Mashup
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This mashed potato pizza is a game-changer that combines two of the most loved foods in the world. Instead of a thin layer of sauce, you get a rich, fluffy cloud of potatoes spread across a crispy crust. It feels like eating a loaded baked potato, but with the fun and crunch of a pizza. This recipe is a smart way to save money and reduce food waste by using up leftover mashed potatoes while making something that tastes brand new.
Ingredients
- 1 batch Pizza Dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 large potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold), peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4–6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh green onions or chives, chopped
- 1/4 cup sour cream (for drizzling)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Boil cubed potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes until soft. Drain, add butter and milk, and mash until smooth. Do not make them too runny.
- Prep the Oven and Bacon: Heat oven to 425°F. Cook bacon in a pan until very crunchy, drain on paper towels, and chop into bits.
- Roll the Dough: Stretch or roll pizza dough into a large circle or rectangle on a floured surface.
- Assemble the Base: Brush the edges of the dough with olive oil. Spread mashed potatoes evenly across the dough, leaving an inch for the crust.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the potatoes, then top with bacon bits.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes until the crust is dark golden brown and cheese is bubbling.
- Garnish: Let rest for 3 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh chives or green onions and finish with a drizzle of sour cream before serving.
Notes
If you have cold mashed potatoes in the fridge, you can use them as-is to save time. To ensure a crispy crust, avoid making the mashed potatoes too wet and make sure your oven is fully preheated. For a spicy twist, add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the potato base.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6th of dish)
- Calories: 480
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Protein: 16g
The mashed potato pizza is special because it combines two of the most loved foods in the world. Instead of a thin layer of sauce, you get a rich, fluffy cloud of potatoes spread across a crispy crust. It feels like eating a loaded baked potato, but with the fun and crunch of a pizza.
- Difficulty Level: Easy. If you can boil a potato and roll out dough, you can make this.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes.
- Cook Time: 15 to 20 minutes.
- Total Time: About 40 minutes.
This recipe is perfect for using up leftovers. If you had a big dinner yesterday and have a bowl of cold mashed potatoes in the fridge, you are already halfway done. It is a smart way to save money and reduce food waste while making something that tastes brand new.
Essential Ingredients
To make the best mashed potato pizza, you need fresh ingredients that provide different textures. You want something creamy, something crunchy, and something salty.
The Crust
- Pizza Dough: You can buy pre-made dough at the store or make your own. A thick, chewy crust works best to hold the weight of the potatoes.
- Olive Oil: This helps the crust get golden brown and stay crisp.
The Potato Base
- Potatoes: Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are best because they get very soft.
- Butter and Milk: These make the potatoes creamy enough to spread.
- Garlic Powder: For a little extra flavor in the base.
The Toppings
- Cheese: Use a mix of mozzarella for stretch and sharp cheddar for flavor.
- Bacon: Cooked until crispy and crumbled into small bits.
- Green Onions or Chives: These add a pop of color and a fresh taste.
- Sour Cream: To drizzle on top at the very end.
Substitutions and Variations
- Vegetarian: Leave out the bacon and add roasted broccoli or sautéed mushrooms.
- Vegan: Use dairy-free butter, almond milk, and vegan cheese shreds.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free pizza crust found in the frozen section of your grocery store.
- Sweet Potato: For a different flavor, use mashed sweet potatoes and top with kale and red onions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making a mashed potato pizza is all about timing. You want your potatoes to be warm and your crust to be ready at the same time.
1. Prepare the Potatoes
If you are not using leftovers, peel and cube three large potatoes. Put them in a pot of cold water with a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil and cook until the potatoes are soft when poked with a fork. This usually takes 15 minutes. Drain the water, add butter and a splash of milk, and mash until they are smooth. Do not make them too runny or they will slide off the pizza.
2. Get the Oven Ready
Heat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a pizza stone, put it in while the oven heats up. If not, a regular baking sheet works just fine.
3. Prep the Bacon
While the oven heats, cook your bacon in a pan until it is very crunchy. This is important because the bacon will not get much crispier once it is on the pizza. Set it on a paper towel to drain the grease, then chop it into small pieces.
4. Roll the Dough
Dust your counter with a little bit of flour. Stretch or roll your pizza dough into a large circle or rectangle. If the dough keeps shrinking back, let it sit for five minutes to relax the gluten, then try again.
Assembly: Building Your Masterpiece
This is the fun part where the magic happens. Building the layers correctly ensures the crust stays crispy and the toppings stay in place.
The Base Layer
Brush the edges of your dough with olive oil. This creates a beautiful crust. Next, take your mashed potatoes and spread them evenly across the dough. Leave about an inch of space around the edges for the “handle.” Use the back of a large spoon to smooth out the potatoes.
The Cheese and Toppings
Sprinkle your mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the potatoes. Use a generous amount because the cheese acts like glue for the bacon. Sprinkle the bacon bits over the cheese.
Presentation Tips
For a professional look, try to spread the toppings all the way to the edge of the potato layer. This makes the pizza look full and delicious. Do not add the green onions or sour cream yet. They are fresh ingredients and should stay off the heat of the oven.
Cooking and Finishing
Slide your pizza into the oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. You are looking for two things: the crust should be dark golden brown, and the cheese should be bubbling with a few brown spots.
Once you take it out, let it sit for three minutes. This prevents the mashed potatoes from oozing out when you cut it. Now, sprinkle your fresh chives or green onions on top. Finish with a drizzle of sour cream or a few dollops across the surface.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
If you have leftovers, you are in luck. This pizza actually stays quite well.
- Refrigeration: Store slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil. They will stay fresh for up to three days.
- Reheating: Do not use the microwave if you want it to stay crunchy. The best way to reheat is in the oven or an air fryer at 350 degrees for about five minutes. This makes the crust crispy again.
- Make-Ahead: You can make the mashed potatoes and cook the bacon a day in advance. When you are ready for dinner, you just have to assemble and bake.
Recipe Variations
Once you master the basic mashed potato pizza, you can get creative.
- The Spicy Spud: Add sliced jalapeños and a dash of hot sauce to the mashed potatoes.
- The Breakfast Pizza: Add a few cracked eggs on top five minutes before the pizza is done baking.
- The Garlic Herb: Mix fresh rosemary and roasted garlic into the mashed potatoes for a sophisticated flavor.
Conclusion
The mashed potato pizza is more than just a meal. It is a fun way to bring people together over a dish that feels familiar yet exciting. It proves that you can take simple ingredients like a potato and a piece of dough and turn them into something supreme. Whether you are cooking for your family or looking for a way to use up holiday leftovers, this recipe is a winner. Put on your apron, grab a potato masher, and start baking. You might never go back to regular pepperoni pizza again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use instant mashed potatoes?
Yes, you can use instant potatoes if you are in a hurry. Just make sure to use a little less liquid than the box calls for so the potatoes stay thick and sturdy on the crust.
Is this pizza healthy?
Potatoes provide potassium and vitamin C. To make it healthier, use turkey bacon, low-fat cheese, and a whole-wheat pizza crust. Adding veggies like spinach on top of the potatoes is also a great idea.
Why is my crust soggy?
A soggy crust usually happens if the mashed potatoes are too wet or if the oven is not hot enough. Make sure your oven is fully preheated to 425 degrees before putting the pizza in.
Can I freeze this pizza?
It is best to freeze the pizza after it is baked. Let it cool completely, wrap it in plastic wrap and then foil. To eat, bake it from frozen at 375 degrees until hot.
What goes well with mashed potato pizza?
Since this is a very filling dish, a light green salad with a lemon vinaigrette is the perfect side to balance out the richness.
