This Loaded Potato Casserole recipe creates the ultimate comfort food with cheesy potatoes, savory bacon, and tangy sour cream. It’s the perfect side dish for any occasion.
Who doesn’t love the warm and cheesy goodness of loaded baked potatoes? But when you’re feeding a crowd, baking individual potatoes can be bit a bit of a hassle.
This easy recipe solves that problem. It takes the same wonderful flavors of a fully loaded baked potato and conveniently bakes them in an easy and delicious casserole form.
This casserole is loaded with gooey cheese, savory bacon, and of course, fluffy mashed potatoes. It’s the perfect side dish whether you’re hosting a festive holiday meal or just preparing a casual family dinner.
The comforting flavors in this casserole makes it the perfect choice to pair with main dish options like this Slow Roasted Chicken or these Guinness Braised Short Ribs.
Why We Love This Potato Casserole
- Crowd pleaser: When it comes to deciding on the perfect side dish that everyone will love, this loaded potato casserole is always a hit.
- Easy recipe: The best part about this casserole is that it’s made using just a few simple ingredients and only takes a few easy steps to prepare.
- Pure comfort food: It just doesn’t get any better than warm, creamy potatoes, savory bacon, and plenty of gooey cheese.
Ingredients
What Goes into This Casserole
- Yukon gold potatoes
- Cream cheese
- Minced garlic (or garlic powder)
- Bacon
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- Chopped green onions-for garnish
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients as well as complete instructions.
Substitutions & Variations
- You can use any type melty cheese you like. Mild or sharp cheddar cheese, white cheddar cheese, and Colby Jack are great choices.
- Instead of Yukon golds you can use any other type of starchy potatoes like russet potatoes.
- We used fresh bacon but you can use a package of real bacon bits if you need a short cut. You can also add in small cubes of cooked ham instead of bacon.
- Feel free to add other seasonings and herbs. Onion powder or a pinch cayenne pepper make great additions. You can also add herbs like rosemary, thyme, or an Italian seasoning blend.
How to Make Cheesy Potato Casserole
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 375 F Grease or spray with nonstick cooking spray a 9×13 inch baking dish and set aside.
Step 2. Peel and cut potatoes in cubes. Place potatoes in a large pot of boiling water with salt. Boil for 15 minutes.
Step 3. Remove, drain water and smash with a potato masher in a large bowl.
Step 4. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium heat. Cook the bacon for 2 minutes until it’s slightly crispy. Set aside.
Step 5. Add the crispy bacon to the tender potatoes and stir in cream cheese, 1 cup of the shredded cheese and ½ cup sour cream.
Step 6. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to your prepared casserole dish.
Step 7. Top with the rest of cheddar cheese and bake in the preheated oven at 400 F for about 15-20 minutes.
Step 8. Remove from the oven.
Step 9. Garnish with dollops of tangy sour cream and green onion.
Serve and enjoy!
FAQs
Sure. You can bake potatoes to make a loaded baked potato casserole, sometimes called twice-baked potato casserole. It’s a little more time consuming but tastes equally as delicious.
Not necessarily. Potato skins can add extra texture to this casserole. If you’re using Yukon golds, you can just scrub them well under cool water and dice them with the skin. Russets have tougher skins and are best peeled.
Absolutely! This casserole is excellent for making ahead. Prepare it in advance, refrigerate, and then bake when you’re ready to serve. Just allow a bit of additional baking time since it’s chilled.
Top Tips
Storing leftovers: Cool the casserole to room temperature. Add plastic wrap to the top or transfer the potatoes to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to five days. You can also freeze this up to three months.
Adjusting the texture: If the potato mixture seems too thick, you can thin them with a little heavy cream or whole milk until nice and creamy.
Using the right type of potato: For the best results you want to use starchy potatoes that will mash up light and fluffy. Avoid red potatoes or other waxy potatoes because they can become a little gummy when mashed.
Shred your own cheese: Packaged shredded cheese has a coating that prevents it from clumping. But it also prevents it from melting smoothly. If you have the time, I always recommend that you shred your own cheese.
Other Easy Potato Recipes
Loaded Potato Casserole
This easy loaded potato casserole is so delicious you’ll want to make it for every gathering!
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Rate
Servings: 8
Calories: 346kcal
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375 F | 190 C.
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Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set aside.
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Bring a large pot to boil with salted water.
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Peel and cut potato in cubes and boil for 15 minutes.
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Remove, drain water and smash with a potato masher in a large bowl.
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Heat a non-stick skillet on medium heat. Cook bacon bites for 2 minutes. Set aside.
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Add bacon to the potato and stir in cream cheese, 1 cup of the shredded cheese and ½ cup sour cream. Adjust with salt and pepper.
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Transfer in the baking dish.
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Top with the rest of cheddar cheese and bake in the oven at 400 F | 200 C for 15 minutes. Remove from oven.
Notes
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Not recommended to freeze.
Reheat in the microwave until heated through.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 593mg | Potassium: 676mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 494IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 228mg | Iron: 1mg
