Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe
We’re diving fork-first into the world of comfort food with a recipe that will leave you craving more – Creamy and Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole.
If you’re a fan of the flavors of a fully loaded-baked potato, you’re in for a treat!
The Perfect Side Dish
The recipe is a great one for any occasion, including adding to the Christmas or Thanksgiving table. It’s so easy to make, and the whole family will love it.
Add it to a dinner of Crock Pot chicken thighs from Create Kids Club for a rounded-out meal.
Ingredients for the Perfect Dish
- Russet potatoes, peeled
- Green onions, sliced, for garnish and for the casserole
- Whole milk, as needed
- Sour cream
- Cream cheese softened
- Thick-cut bacon
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided into portions)
- Unsalted butter, cubed
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
Full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Place the diced potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
Step 3: After boiling the water, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until your potatoes are fork-tender. This will take about 15-20 minutes. While the potatoes work their magic, let’s tackle the next step.
Step 4: While the potatoes cook, fry the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until they become crisp. Transfer the crispy bacon to a paper towel to drain. Crumble the bacon after they cool down.
Step 5: Drain the cooked potatoes and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Add milk, sour cream, cream cheese, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the bowl and mash them all together with a potato masher or hand mixer.
Step 6: Add 2 cups cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and sliced green onions to the bowl and fold them into the mashed potato mixture until well combined. This is where the magic happens, folks.
Step 7: Transfer the creamy mashed potatoes to a baking dish and spread it evenly using a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon evenly over it. Layers upon layers of deliciousness!
Step 8: Bake for 30 minutes in your preheated 350°F oven until the cheese is melted. The internal temperature of the casserole should be about 165°F before serving.
Optional Ingredients
Some ingredients can be switched out for something more low-fat or for a different flavor in the mashed potato casserole recipe. Here are a few ideas:
- Heavy cream instead of milk.
- 2% or Low-fat milk
- Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
- Mashed Potato Casserole
- Mascarpone cheese or plain Greek yogurt can be used instead of cream cheese.
- Ground beef to make it a full main dish.
- Crunchy Panko breadcrumbs with butter drizzled on top.
- Turkey bacon
- Hash browns instead of mashed potatoes
- Shredded chicken or turkey breast added to the dish.
- Give this potatoes Romanoff a try from Yellow Bliss Road
FAQs
- What are the best potatoes to use for mashed potato casserole? Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes.
- How do I peel and cut the potatoes? Simple – peel them with a vegetable peeler, then cut them into even-sized pieces.
- How do I drain the potatoes? Drain the potatoes in a colander and rinse them with cold water. This will stop the cooking process and cool them down, making them easier to handle and mash.
- What are the best toppings for mashed potato casserole? Aside from cheese and bacon, think croutons, fried onions, panko breadcrumbs, and fresh herbs!
- Can I make mashed potato casserole ahead of time? Absolutely! Prepare, refrigerate, and bake when ready for warm, cheesy goodness. Pre-made mashed potatoes are great when you don’t want to be in the kitchen all day.
- How do I reheat mashed potato casserole? Pop it in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for 20-30 minutes until heated through.
- Can I freeze mashed potato casserole? Yes! Freeze, thaw, and bake to satisfy those comfort food cravings.
- What if my mashed potato casserole is too runny? If your mashed potato casserole is too runny, add more potatoes or instant mashed potatoes. You can also bake the casserole for a few more minutes until it has thickened.
There you have it, folks – your ticket to a potato side dish that’ll steal the show at your next big family dinner, holiday meal, or Thanksgiving dinner.
Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe
Creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-delicious, this mashed potato casserole is the ultimate comfort food that never goes out of style. So, grab that potato masher, get your casserole dish ready, and let’s dive into potato heaven!
Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Russet potatoes peeled
- 4 green onions sliced, 2 for garnish and 2 for the casserole
- 1/2 cup whole milk or more if needed
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 12 ounces thick-cut bacon
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 8 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Place the diced potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Once the water starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until your potatoes are fork-tender. This will take about 15-20 minutes.
- While the potatoes cook, fry the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until they become crisp. Transfer the crispy bacon to a paper towel to drain. Crumble the bacon after they cool down.
- Drain the cooked potatoes and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Add milk, sour cream, cream cheese, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the bowl and mash them with a potato masher or hand mixer.
- Add 2 cups cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and sliced green onions to the bowl and fold them into the mashed potato mixture until well combined.
- Transfer the creamy mashed potatoes to a baking dish and spread it evenly using a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon evenly over the top.
- Bake for 30 minutes in your preheated 350 degree oven until the cheese is melted. The internal temperature of the casserole should be about 165 degrees before serving.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish this easy casserole with sliced green onions or fresh chives.
