25 Healthy Potato Recipes That Offer Comfort and Nutrition

These 25 recipes make it easy to enjoy potatoes while you're trying to eat more vegetables.
Image Credit: severija/iStock/GettyImages

People have eaten potatoes for thousands of years. The root vegetables were originally cultivated by the Incas in ancient Peru but are still enjoyed across the world today in a variety of recipes.

Advertisement

Potatoes are a rich source of many nutrients, including fiber, copper, potassium and vitamins C and B6, according to the USDA. They're low in fat and protein and consist mainly of carbohydrates.

Video of the Day

In addition to being a nutritious source of vitamins and minerals, potatoes are known for being filling and satisfying. Compared to other carbohydrate-rich foods like rice and pasta, potatoes may help you feel more satiated after eating them, according to a November 2018 study in Nutrients.

Advertisement

Despite the many benefits of eating potatoes, some people avoid them. But complex carbs like potatoes help you meet your nutritional needs and supply your body with energy.

While some potato recipes can be high in calories and fat depending on the ingredients, there are many that make for healthful additions to any meal plan. Plus, they're comforting and delicious.

Advertisement

What matters most is what you do with your spuds. So, here are 25 recipes to help you use up those potatoes.

1. Personal-Size Overnight Hash Browns

These hash browns have built-in portion control.

You'll be a fan of the convenience of these personal-size hash browns, along with the delicious filling. As a dietitian, I can get behind the nutritious pairing of eggs and colorful baby potatoes, and most importantly when it comes to weight management, the built-in portion control.

Advertisement

Get the Personal-Size Overnight Hash Browns recipe and nutrition info here.

2. Rosemary Pizza Patate

Whole grains can help you manage your weight.
Image Credit: Jackie Newgent

Trust us: Even without sauce or cheese, this dish delivers on taste and nutrition. The rosemary, onion and potato combo make this a culinary delight. The whole-wheat pastry flour and whole-wheat pizza dough give this dish street cred with nutritionists.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Get the Rosemary Pizza Patate recipe and nutrition info here.

3. Asiago Roasted Potato Wedges With Sour Cream and Chives

Skip the drive-through and make these healthier fries at home.
Image Credit: Livestrong.com

Nutritionally speaking, there's nothing redeeming about fast-food French fries. A medium serving has about 375 calories, 18 grams of fat, 220 milligrams of sodium, 50 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber and 4 grams of fiber, according to the USDA. And let's be real: If you're headed to the drive-through, you're probably not ordering just fries.

Advertisement

Enter the Asiago Roasted Potato Wedges — a healthier option that's still incredibly tasty. Each serving has just 224 calories (and you're likely not pairing these with a burger and soda), 16 grams of fat, 606 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein.

4. Roasted Potato Salad With Kale and Grainy Mustard

This mayo-free potato salad recipe will be a hit at any summer barbecue.
Image Credit: Sher Castellano

This potato salad recipe makeover is a winner. A serving of your typical, mayo-based potato salad has 358 calories and 20 grams of fat, according to the USDA. This dish not only reduces the number of calories by 60 percent, but it also manages to bump up the nutritional offerings by adding in kale.

Advertisement

Get the Roasted Potato Salad With Kale and Grainy Mustard recipe and nutrition info here.

5. Purple Potato and Poultry Chorizo Tacos

These colorful tacos deliver on taste and nutrition.
Image Credit: Jackie Newgent

Potatoes plus chorizo plus tacos. Aside from tasting delicious, they're good for you, too. Each taco is under 150 calories, which means a healthy portion is about two to three tacos.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Also, the purple in the potatoes comes from plant compounds called anthocyanins, according to a June 2015 study in ‌Food Science and Technology‌. These compounds have antioxidant properties, which can help support heart health, per a June 2018 paper in ‌Plant Foods for Human Nutrition‌.

Get the Purple Potato and Poultry Chorizo Tacos recipe and nutrition info here.

6. Tri-Color Potato Skewers and Dip

Potatoes on a stick with dip make a fun appetizer.
Image Credit: Jackie Newgent

If you have trouble getting your kids to eat their veggies, put them on a stick and add a dip. Making foods fun and appealing, with tactics like skewering potatoes and adding a healthy dip, can help your kids ‌want‌ to eat more vegetables, according to the USDA.

This is key because 93 percent of children don't get enough veggies on a daily basis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Serve up these skewers, though, and they're sure to be a hit!

Get the Tri-Color Potato Skewers and Dip recipe and nutrition info here.

7. Protein-Packed Cajun Hash Brown

Getting protein in at breakfast can help with your weight-loss goals.
Image Credit: Livestrong.com

This vegan breakfast provides a healthy balance of macros, sure to keep you feeling satisfied throughout the day. Each serving is about 40 percent carbs, 40 percent fat and 20 percent protein.

Traditional breakfast foods like plain oats, cereal and toast are carb-based and fall short in the protein category. This is why most people have protein later in the day as a part of lunch and dinner, according to a January 2014 paper in the ‌Journal of Nutrition‌.

Advertisement

Incorporating protein into your breakfast is important for helping to build lean muscle, which plays an important role in maintaining your metabolism and, ultimately, supporting your weight-management goals. This dish offers 12 grams of the satiating nutrient.

Get the Protein-Packed Cajun Hash Brown recipe and nutrition info here.

8. Vegetarian Crispy Tacos

Crispy tacos, filled with potatoes and other vegetables, are a filling (and delicious) dinner.

If vegetarians felt like they were missing out on the potato-taco magic (see recipe #5 above), fear not — we've got you covered. This meat-free option uses beans instead. Paired with cheese and Greek yogurt, each taco provides 8 grams of protein.

Get the Vegetarian Crispy Tacos recipe and nutrition info here.

9. Potato Salad With Parsnips and Edamame

Adding edamame and Greek yogurt helps to increase the protein in this dish.

By reducing the mayo and adding Greek yogurt in its place, you're cutting out fat, yes, but you're still keeping the creamy goodness we know and love about potato salad, while also increasing the protein content.

This recipe is much lower in calories compared to traditional potato salad. Each serving has less than 140 calories compared to the more than 350 calories provided in a serving of homestyle potato salad, according to the USDA.

Get the Potato Salad With Parsnips and Edamame recipe and nutrition info here.

10. Roasted Sunchoke Soup

Blended soups are simple to whip up on busy weeknights.
Image Credit: Arthur Bovino

Creamy soups typically mean, well, that cream has been added, and that equates to more saturated fat and calories. The trick with this recipe is achieving creaminess by including potatoes and making it a blended soup‌.

Advertisement

Blended soups may have the upper hand when it comes to weight loss. Thicker blended soups take longer to digest and provide the greatest feelings of fullness, according to an October 2012 study in the ‌European Journal of Clinical Nutrition‌.

Get the Roasted Sunchoke Soup recipe and nutrition info here.

11. Baked Salt-and-Vinegar Chips

Oil-free and baked in the oven, these chips are a healthier take on your typical potato chip snack.
Image Credit: Arthur Bovino

We can't forget potato chips! Yes, your beloved salty snack can be healthy if you bake the chips instead of frying them and cut out the oil altogether. Vinegar helps to saturate the chips, so you won't miss the oil, while also adding to the flavor and saltiness.

Each serving has just 121 calories, 26 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein — and no fat. A typical serving of chips provides 25 percent more calories (157 calories), 10 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbohydrates, just 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein, according to the USDA.

Get the Baked Salt-and-Vinegar Chips recipe and nutrition info here.

12. Sweet Potato Smoothie

Smoothies can still be sweet and offer a serving of veggies with sweet potatoes.
Image Credit: Real Food Whole Life

Move over fruit smoothies, and make way for sweet potato smoothies. As their name suggests, sweet potatoes are a sweet source of potato goodness. They have an impressive nutrition profile with 4 grams of fiber and 2.1 grams of protein per cup, according to the USDA.

Making a sweet potato smoothie requires a bit of prep, but the result is worth it. Peel, chop, boil and freeze your sweet potatoes ahead of time, and add about a cup's worth to your morning smoothie throughout the week to start your day off with a fiber-rich breakfast that is pleasant on your taste buds.

Get the Sweet Potato Smoothie recipe and nutrition info at Real Food Whole Life.

13. Mediterranean Potato Salad

Potatoes and herbs make for a quick and healthy side dish.
Image Credit: Feel Good Foodie

You can go in many directions with a potato salad, and this recipe offers a Mediterranean flare. It calls for yellow potatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives and fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro, so it's full of flavor and a variety of nutrients. The lemon-based dressing adds a citrusy tang and offers some vitamin C.

This recipe only requires 10 minutes of prep, so save it for busy weeknights. It can be eaten cold or heated up, so it's perfect for meal prep and summer lunches.

Get the Mediterranean Potato Salad recipe and nutrition info at Feel Good Foodie.

14. Sweet Potato Toast

You can go sweet or savory, but you can never go wrong with sweet potato toast.
Image Credit: Eating Bird Food

Using sweet potatoes as an alternative to toast adds a wider variety of nutrients to your diet if you're used to eating the same meal every day for breakfast.

Sweet potato toast is more versatile than you'd think. Lean into the natural sweetness with fruit and jam toppings, or go for a savory twist with nut and seed butter. The combinations are endless, so you'll never get tired of this one.

Get the Sweet Potato Toast recipe and nutrition info at Eating Bird Food.

15. Potato and Spinach Frittata

Make a potato-filled frittata ahead of time for grab-and-go breakfasts.
Image Credit: The Recipe Well

Prepping breakfast at night makes it easier to make healthy choices in the morning, per the FDA. This frittata recipe only takes 10 minutes to whip together and can be stored in the fridge for quick breakfasts throughout the week.

There's nothing more convenient than finding breakfast already prepped and ready to pop in the oven or reheat in the microwave before school or work. The eggs and cheese provide protein while the veggies provide fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Get the Potato and Spinach Frittata recipe and nutrition info at The Recipe Well.

16. Spicy Lebanese Potatoes

This traditional Lebanese dish is usually deep fried, but roasting it is a low-fat alternative.
Image Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen

Batata harra, which translates to "spicy potatoes," is a traditional Lebanese dish. It typically involves deep frying potatoes in oil, but roasting vegetables is a low-fat alternative to enjoying the flavorful dish without the grease.

This recipe still calls for many of the same ingredients in the full-fat version: lemon juice, cilantro, garlic and red chili flakes. Any type of potato will work for this recipe, so use what you have on hand to save yourself a trip to the grocery store.

Get the Spicy Lebanese Potatoes recipe and nutrition info at Little Sunny Kitchen.

17. Sweet Potato Hummus

Pulverize sweet potatoes into a creamy hummus for a fiber-rich dip.
Image Credit: The Endless Meal

An easy way to incorporate any ingredient into your meal plan is by turning it into a sauce or dip. You can turn avocado into guacamole, cucumber into tzatziki and sweet potato into hummus.

Not only is this recipe high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, but you can also increase the nutrients even more by dipping chopped veggies like carrots and bell peppers or whole-grain crackers into the hummus.

Get the Sweet Potato Hummus recipe and nutrition info at The Endless Meal.

18. Indian Potato Soup

Aloo curry is filled with potatoes and warm Indian spices.
Image Credit: My Heart Beetz

American recipes like fries and mashed potatoes make the root veggie very popular in the United States, but potatoes are also a big part of Indian cuisine.

Aloo curry, an Indian dish made from potatoes and spices, is a quick, simple and oh so comforting way to use up the potatoes in your pantry while expanding your palate. The recipe calls for ghee, a lactose-free alternative to butter.

Get the Indian Potato Soup recipe and nutrition info at My Heart Beets.

19. Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili

Dump black beans, sweet potatoes and a few other ingredients in a pot, and dinner is served.
Image Credit: Real Food Whole Life

Cooking with potatoes doesn't have to be complicated. This chili recipe only requires a handful of simple ingredients. Traditional chili uses animal protein from ground beef, but this vegetarian-friendly recipe gets its protein from black beans.

While this potato recipe is pretty simple, you can jazz it up with toppings like jalapeno slices, cilantro, green onion or avocado.

Get the Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili recipe and nutrition info at Real Food Whole Life.

20. Southwest Potato Salad

This colorful salad is refreshing, delicious and nutritious.
Image Credit: The Recipe Rebel

If you love southwest flavors, turn your next potato salad into a taco salad with baby potatoes. Corn and potatoes are a nutritious and flavorful duo. Corn is a rich source of insoluble fiber, B vitamins, zinc and iron, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Making this recipe is quick and easy — mix vegetables like potatoes, corn, tomatoes, onion and bell pepper into a large mixing bowl with a taco-spiced vinaigrette. The result is a refreshing salad or side dish that's perfect for picnics, potlucks and parties.

Get the Southwest Potato Salad recipe and nutrition info at The Recipe Rebel.

21. Smashed Potatoes With Herbs and Garlic

Smashing potatoes doesn't alter their nutrition but makes for a fun texture and presentation.
Image Credit: Dinner at the Zoo

There's no better trio than potatoes, butter and Parmesan cheese. The only way to improve creamy potatoes is by pairing them with fresh herbs like parsley and spices like garlic and Italian seasoning, and that's exactly what this recipe does.

It also offers a satisfying crunch on the exterior while keeping the interior of potatoes soft and creamy.

Get the Smashed Potatoes With Herbs and Garlic recipe and nutrition info at Dinner at the Zoo.

22. Vegan Thai Potato Curry

Spicy potato curry is for those who want to turn up the heat.
Image Credit: Nutriciously

Potato recipes are usually pretty mild in terms of spiciness, but this one is for those who can handle the heat. It calls for Thai red curry paste and red chili flakes, which will make your tastebuds tingle.

Eating spicy food may actually have some health benefits. They're tied to improvements in heart health and reduced inflammation, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Get the Vegan Thai Potato Curry recipe and nutrition info at Nutriciously.

23. Roasted Potatoes and Carrots

Potatoes and carrots are a nutritious duo that taste delicious when roasted with some olive oil and spices.
Image Credit: Salt & Lavender

Roasting vegetables is one of the most nutritious ways to cook them because it requires very little fat. This cooking method is also quick in terms of preparation, though you'll have to wash, peel and chop your veggies before popping them in the oven.

Sheet pan recipes like this one are great for busy weeknights. Plus, carrots are a great source of fiber, manganese, vitamin A and vitamin B6, according to the USDA.

Get the Roasted Potatoes and Carrots recipe and nutrition info at Salt & Lavender.

24. Greek Lemon Potatoes

These citrusy potatoes are full of tang and vitamin C.
Image Credit: The Endless Meal

Lemon juice is a nutrient-dense addition to many recipes. It's known for its vitamin C content, but lemon juice is also a source of minerals like calcium and potassium, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Squeeze it on salmon, mix it in your water and add it to salad dressings — the acidity enhances the flavor of other ingredients while brightening the recipe.

This Greek-inspired potato recipe relies on lemon juice for a tangy flavor while also adding some nutrients. The flavors from the lemon juice, garlic and parsley marry together for a dish that's balanced in nutrition ‌and‌ taste.

Get the Greek Lemon Potatoes recipe and nutrition info at The Endless Meal.

25. Mashed Potato Pizza Crust

Proof that you can make anything with potatoes.
Image Credit: Nutriciously

Pizza is a comfort classic, and you don't have to give it up when you want to focus on foods that are more nutrient-dense. The good old potato is the answer. You can use it as a pizza topping or as the crust, in which case you can add even more veggies on top.

This potato recipe is a no-brainer, and it's vegan-friendly.

Get the Mashed Potato Pizza Crust recipe and nutrition info at Nutriciously.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com/Creative

Advertisement

Advertisement

references

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...