There are many ways to use leftovers but sometimes it can be hard to be creative. Listed below are several tips to help you get started and perhaps even thinking about how you can get creative with your own leftovers. After the tips, you will find two recipes for getting creative using leftover mashed poatoes.

• Leftovers can be saved for a another meal. During a busy day when planning and preparing a meal is nearly impossible and simply heating up a dinner in the microwave would be welcome.
• Cut leftover meat loaf or pot roast into chunks and add them to spaghetti sauce to make speedy spaghetti and meatballs. My sister puts chunks of chicken into her spaghetti sauce.
• Chili Pie - Pour 4 cups extra chili in a deep pie or casserole dish. Prepare 1 recipe cornbread according to directions. Pour batter over chili. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until the cornbread is done. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese if desired.
• Chop up leftover meatloaf and add a can of Manwich for Sloppy Joes.
• Hash is a good way to use extra onions, peppers and hamburger. Use leftover meatloaf and fried potatoes to make hash too.

Place small amounts of mashed potatoes in sandwich bags in the freezer. When you had enough of them, thaw them out and mix them with an egg, some chopped up onion, salt and pepper and enough flour so they have the consistency of cookie dough, try not to mix too much.

Shape into patties or drop the mixture by spoonfuls into vegetable oil in a skillet. Take a fork, dip the ends of the tines in flour and mash the tops down so they make little pancakes. Fry until golden brown on one side, then flip and brown the other side.

• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 & 2/3 cups flour
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 Tablespoons diced chives
• 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

• Combine beaten egg, cheese, vegetable oil and mashed potatoes.
• Combine remaining ingredients & stir in potato mixture just until moistened.
• Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.
• Bake at 400° for 20 - 25 minutes.