Mashed potatoes are the singular dish that makes me love the holidays, and I always insist that there be more than enough for leftovers to eat reheated or to become everything from breakfast bowls to pancakes. Reheating mashed potatoes is relatively easy, but there are two ingredients you can add to help avoid gluey potatoes and make the leftovers taste more like freshly made ones. Here's how to do it.

The Best Way to Reheat Mashed Potatoes

There's a prevailing theory that all leftovers should be heated the same way that they were cooked, but mashed potatoes didn't get that memo. Try reheating the potatoes on the stovetop even over low heat and you'll end up with either scorched or gluey potatoes. Instead use the low-and-slow heat of the oven to get the job done. Here's what you need to know.

• Move the potatoes to a baking dish: Heating the potatoes in an even layer allows them to warm up faster with less drying out.
• Add more cream and butter: More moisture and fat are the two secret ingredients to reheating any leftovers. For potatoes, reach for half-and-half or broth and butter.
• Cover and heat low and slow: Cover the baking dish and set it in a 350°F oven alongside any turkey leftovers you might be reheating too. (They'll take about the same amount of time.) This is really helpful if everyone is sitting down for seconds together.

The Fastest Way to Reheat Mashed Potatoes

When all you want is mashed potatoes fast and you're reheating food in the microwave already, try this: Move the potatoes to a covered dish and heat them in the microwave at half-power for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Once hot, stir well, and add additional dairy and butter, as needed.