Creative potato side dishes, from mashed potatoes to potato pancakes

Potatoes can simply be boiled, but they also lend themselves to more creative preparations. Creamy mashed potatoes are especially popular with children and are often served as a side dish with meatballs or meatloaf. They are generally made with boiled or roasted potatoes. In addition to the classic version with onions and bacon, there are lesser-known variations, such as those with sauerkraut or Parmesan cheese. Cream, milk, butter, and various herbs add a delicate flavor.

Stuffed potatoes are a great option: they're baked, hollowed out, and filled. The filling usually consists of vegetables, meat, bacon, mushrooms, cream, and herbs. Another option is to cut them open and fill the hollows with a mixture of ingredients of your choice. For a quick side dish, American potatoes are washed well, sprinkled with a spice mix, and baked.

Potato pancakes are an absolute classic of Czech cuisine. Their basic ingredients are grated potatoes, garlic, marjoram, eggs, flour, pepper, and salt. Dietary versions often substitute oats for flour and are baked on parchment paper to reduce grease.

Other common side dishes include French fries, croquettes, cured beef, meatballs, and gnocchi.