Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Creamy, dreamy, and oh-so satisfying, this Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole recipe turns a standard side dish into the ultimate show-stopper!
The perfect silky texture of mashed potatoes meets the fun flavor of a baked potato with all the toppings. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole features bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onions, combined with butter, cream, and sour cream to transform Russet potatoes into THE best-mashed potato recipe ever graced your fork! Get ready to wow everyone at the table!
Loaded Potato Casserole: Elevated or Everyday?
When I tell you this Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole is the best recipe you’ve ever made, I’m not exaggerating! This is the perfect side dish for all those occasions you want to impress! (Thanksgiving, Christmas, neighborhood potluck, etc.)
Mashed potato casserole is mouthwateringly FABULOUS. Why? Because it doesn’t hold back on rich, wonderful ingredients! Sour cream, cheddar cheese, butter, and heavy cream. That’s the secret to this SPECTACULAR potato casserole worthy of special occasions!
But this Loaded Potato Casserole is also adjustable for every day! Use half the amount of cheese, whole milk instead of cream, and low-fat instead of full-fat sour cream, and you cut 1000+ calories off the dish, making it healthier and budget-friendly while still being incredibly delicious!
Other Recipes to Serve with Loaded Potato Casserole
- Breaded Pork Chops are crispy, tender, and juicy – a perfect entree for mashed potato casserole!
- Garlic Butter Steak and Mushrooms – what goes better with a loaded baked potato casserole than a mouth-watering steak dinner?
Ingredients
Potatoes: with their high starch content, Russet potatoes make THE best-mashed potatoes!
Dairy: Like most special occasion casseroles, this one is loaded with dairy—that’s why it’s so amazingly good! You’ll need heavy cream, sour cream, butter, and a block of cheddar cheese.
Yummies: Bacon and green onions bring tangy and savory to this recipe – MMMMM!
Seasoning: Garlic, onion powder, salt & pepper round out the flavor palette.
How to Make Mashed Potato Casserole
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Boil the potatoes in a large pot until soft (about 15 minutes.) Drain off the water and return the potatoes to the pot.
STEP TWO: Add garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper, sour cream, butter, and heavy cream, and mash until smooth.
STEP THREE: Now, add 1 1/2 cups of cheddar, MOST bacon, and most green onions to the potatoes. (Leave some to top off the potatoes later!) Stir that all together.
STEP FOUR: Transfer the potatoes to a 2-quart casserole dish (a 7×11 dish should work perfectly!) Sprinkle the remaining cheese all over the top.
STEP FIVE: Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melty and starting to turn golden. Remove from the oven and top with the rest of the bacon and onions. Serve with an extra dollop of sour cream on top, and prepare to be blown away by how delicious this is!
Tips for Success
- Block cheese that you grate yourself always melts creamier than the pre-shredded cheese that contains powdery preservatives.
- If your potatoes seem too thin, stir in a spoonful of instant potato flakes to thicken them!
- You can peel the potatoes before or after boiling them (just let them cool a bit first!).
- Assemble this casserole beforehand, then cover and refrigerate to bake later. Be sure to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since everything will start cold in the refrigerator.
- As an everyday side dish, you can reduce the calories by choosing lower-fat dairy products or reducing the cheese. (But trust me—stick with the recipe for special occasions!)
What Are Loaded Mashed Potatoes?
Loaded potatoes are a delicious, creamy combination of classic mashed potatoes and all the toppings you would get if you ordered a “loaded baked potato” at a restaurant. The most common toppings are butter, sour cream, bacon, cheese, and chives. These toppings add flavor and texture to traditional mashed potatoes and make them a favorite!
Can I Freeze Mashed Potato Casserole?
The basic answer is: Yes, you CAN freeze potato casserole. (Cover with an airtight seal and freeze for up to a month.) But the better answer is: Because this recipe is heavy on dairy products, freezing is not ideal. Dairy gets mealy and grainy when frozen, and your reheated casserole will not have the perfect creamy texture you want in mashed potatoes. But you CAN prep this casserole a day or two ahead of time and pop it into the oven when ready!
Other Comforting Casserole Recipes
- Parmesan Corn Casserole
- Green Bean Casserole
- Yellow Squash Casserole
- Simple Broccoli Casserole
- Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
- Sweet Potato Casserole
*This post originally posted on 11/16/2016.
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 8 ounces bacon chopped and cooked crispy
- 3 green onions finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook the potatoes in a large pot of boiling water for 15 minutes or until fork tender. Drain potatoes, and then return them to the pot. (I usually cook the bacon while the potatoes are boiling.)
- Add the cream, butter, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mash everything together until smooth. Check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese, most of the bacon, and the green onions. But save some of each for topping later.
- Transfer the potatoes to a 2-quart (7×11) baking dish. Spread into an even layer and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Remove from the oven and top with the remaining bacon and green onions. Serve warm with extra sour cream.
Notes
Nutrition
