Grenadir with leftover potato and pasta is an excellent, simple side dish that is flavorful and can stand on its own as a vegetarian main dish.
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NOTE: This post was originally published in 2015 and has been updated for photos, video, and content.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
You don’t need any culinary skills to make leftover potato and pasta dish; it is super easy and fast. Grenadir also called Granadir or Grenadier Marsh is a very common dish in Central Europe.
It is typical military food as it is both cheap and filling, hence the name – Grenadier Marsch. I make it when I have leftover pasta or potatoes - it’s an excellent way to use them up.
I believe that such an uncomplicated peasant noodle dish you can make in no time as this Grenadir is worthy of the Noodles Without Borders collection, and that's why I'm sharing it with you today.
If you're new here, Noodles Without Borders is an obsession with noodles shared with my friend Bobbi of Healthy World Cuisine. We started it just over a year ago.
Every first Tuesday of the month, we each share a noodle recipe from somewhere around the world. Be sure to visit Bobbi's page and search for her noodle dishes. You won't regret it!
If you want to see all the pasta recipes we made this far, check out the full list in this last, sweet Jewish noodle post.
Grenadir is one of those dishes that triggers childhood memories of happiness and content even though I never associated food with happiness when I was a wee child.
But now...the aroma of onions hitting the hot oil always tickles my nose and makes me hungry. I promise you will like it too. You can totally make it from scratch instead of leftovers. Or cook one ingredient if you only have the remainders of another.
WHAT'S IN LEFTOVER POTATO AND PASTA DISH?
Well, besides some extra potatoes and noodles from another meal, you will also need:
- Onion
- Oil
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
- Chives or parsley for garnish (optional)
HOW TO MAKE IT?
* The full and printable recipe is available in the recipe box on the bottom of this post. Also, check out tips for best results below.
This dish is so simple, a monkey could make it! 🐵 Speaking of monkeys, my granddaughters [whom I affectionately call monkeys] have helped me make this dish before.
My 7-yo is into chopping everything in sight and her 4-yo sister loves adding herbs and seasonings and stirring the pot.
Your kids could also (help) make it in these easy steps:
- Sauté chopped onions in oil until translucent. Add cooked potatoes and sprinkle with paprika.
- Add cooked pasta and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chives or parsley.
- Enjoy!
It doesn't get easier than that!
WHAT GOES WITH GRENADIR?
This Croatian potato and pasta dish is usually served as a side to baked, roasted, or grilled meats, like pork chops, sausages, and chicken, alongside fresh garden greens.
PRO TIPS/RECIPE NOTES:
- You can cook potatoes with or without skin first. Using leftover dairy-free mashed potatoes works as well.
- Any types of potatoes are fine. I usually have russet potatoes in my pantry, which is what I used here.
- The same goes for macaroni. I used penne because I had extra on hand, but any short pasta such as ziti, rigatoni, rotini or fusilli would do just fine. There are no rules!
- For non-vegetarians, main entrée version, add ham cubes (see the photo below) or bacon.
Check out these recipes you can make with leftovers:
CROATIAN SWISS CHARD AND POTATOES
MAKING THIS RECIPE OR OTHERS?
Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #ALLTHATSJAS. I can’t wait to see your spin on it!
Grenadir with Leftover Potato and Pasta
Equipment
- cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked potatoes, (about 1 ½ lbs uncooked) cubed
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 4 cups cooked pasta (about 8oz. uncooked) short shaped like penne
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- chives for garnish fresh or dried
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add one chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about five minutes.
- Add 4 cups of cooked potatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste; dust with 1 tablespoon paprika.
- Stir in 4 cups of cooked pasta. Mix to combine and heat through. Garnish with chives if using. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Expert Tips
- You can cook potatoes with or without skin first. Using leftover dairy-free mashed potatoes works as well.
- Any types of potatoes are fine. I usually have russet potatoes in my pantry, which is what I used here.
- Same goes for macaroni. I used penne because I had extra on hand, but any short pasta such as ziti, rigatoni, rotini or fusilli would do just fine. There are no rules!
- For non-vegetarian, main entrée version, add ham cubes (see the photo in post) or bacon.
Nutrition
What a delicious and cozy dish! Perfect for fall and love re-purposing leftovers into something new. Yum!!
Thank you, Kim! I don't like wasting food. It must be the Balkan's people trait as we have many recipes using leftovers. 🙂
When I saw the "no culinary skills" bit I was hooked already. Plus my hubby, being half Irish/half Scottish looooooves his potatoes. Guess it's another one of your recipes that going into the "must try" file. Damn that file is getting real full too. Thanks Jas
Haha, you must start making them then, so your pile gets smaller. 😉 I hope you and your hubby enjoy this one! Hugs!
When it gets cooler, we just crave carbs and this recipe has got us covered. Nice video and super easy week day recipe. Thanks so much for making Noodles without borders so fun.
I crave carbs year round, lol. Thanks, Bobbi! Without you, NWB wouldn't be as fun. Take care. x
This pasta and potato dish looks so yummy! Such a great way to use up leftover pasta or potatoes. Definitely a perfect comfort dish!
I have never Grenadir with Leftover Potato and Pasta before but what a great idea!! I love the idea of adding ham too since we all know men need meat in order to be considered a "full meal". Lol!
Ain't that right? LOL Thanks for stopping in, Aleka! xx
yum this sounds really nice. Thanks for putting this up.
Simon
Thanks, Simon!
This is tempting! Thanks for linking up and sharing your recipe with us at Funtastic Friday. I hope you join us again this week.
I'll be there, Sherry! Thanks for stopping by!
I love recipes with few ingredients, and this sounds like something my boys would be happy to eat! Thanks for sharing at Talented Tuesday!
You're welcome! Hope your boys like it. I know we do 🙂
Thank you for sharing at Waiting on...Wednesday!
Holly @ http://www.iwillservewhileiwait.blogspot.com
Love your party!
This looks easy, yummy and something the whole family can enjoy. Just my kind of recipe. Thanks for sharing! ~Cynthia
Thanks, Cynthia! Hope you have an awesome day!
This looks delicious! I would love to have you share it on my recipe link up Tasty Tuesday. Everything gets pinned and I would love to have you!
Thanks, Stephanie! I love to party, so see you there!
Those pictures are sooo beautifu! Thank you for sharing this recipe, pinning it!
Thank you! I'm making your Alaskan Cod with roasted vegetables right now :D. Can't wait to try it!!!
No way! Did you liked it!?!
Yes way! We ate it before I could take a photo, but your photos are way better anyway! We loved it! My husband doesn't like spicy food so I omitted the green chile. It was a feast for the eye and the mouth! 😀
It looks delicious!
Thank you, Shantel!
Looks sooooooo delish! Pinned!
Happy Monday!
Thank you, Veronica! Happy Monday to you too! 🙂
Yes, I like these beautiful pictures, charming and rich pasta!
Thank you, Leovi! Have a great day!
This looks delicious Jas! Pinned and shared!
Thanks for sharing, Joanne! That's very sweet of you 🙂