Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
This homemade Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole recipe is perfectly rich and creamy, full of great flavor, easy to make, and always a family favorite in our house! Prepare ahead of time and bake it in the oven for only 15 minutes! So easy, and did I say cheesy?!
Super Easy Make-Ahead Dinner
On a busy day, there’s nothing better than knowing you can pull a delicious dinner out of the refrigerator and re-heat it in the oven. I usually make this loaded mashed potato recipe in the morning when I know I have a crazy-busy day ahead. But guess what?! You can make this recipe up to 2 days in advance!
Secret to Best Mashed Potatoes
Always make sure to cook the potatoes in cold water so they cook evenly. Be careful! If you add your potatoes directly into hot or boiling water, the outsides of the potatoes will cook and soften while the middle of the potatoes stay hard and crunchy.
Always add salt to your water. Salting the water not only seasons the potatoes, but it allows the potatoes to boil to a hotter temperature. As a result, the starch of the potatoes will cook more thoroughly which will have creamier texture.
Ingredients for Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
All you’ll need for this easy Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole is russet potatoes, real bacon bits, sour cream, salted butter, heavy cream, two cloves of garlic, shredded cheddar cheese, and salt. To top your casserole, you’ll need bacon, green onions, and additional shredded cheese. That’s it! Just a few ingredients, and you’ll have one delicious comfort food recipe ready to go in no time.
Flavorful Topping ideas
Not a fan of green onions?! Rest assured, baked potato topping ideas are limitless, which means you can channel this into your Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole. For extra flavor try adding fresh chives, or even shredded cheese. I suggest Pepper Jack, Smoked Cheddar, Extra Sharp Cheddar, or Monterey Jack Cheese.
If you end up having leftover toppings, try my easy halfway homemade Tater Tot Skewer recipe next! It’s seriously the easiest recipe that only takes a few minutes to make.
Here’s How to Make This – Step by Step
- Prep your potatoes first. Add water and salt to a pot, add potatoes cut in half, and boil for 30 minutes until tender. After that, drain the potatoes.
- Next, with a hand mixer, mix in the potatoes with heavy cream, butter, and salt.
- Fold in the sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, and garlic.
- Spread mashed potatoes into a 9×13 baking dish and top with additional cheese and bacon. Wait until you taste how all these amazing flavors come together!
- Bake your potato casserole at 350 degrees for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Finally, top that loaded mashed potato casserole off with garnishing it with chopped green onions or your toppings of choice. It’s that easy!
Recipe FAQ
Can you make Loaded Baked Potato Casserole in advance?
Yes, you can make this recipe up to 2 days prior to baking it in the oven.
What are the best potatoes to use for mashed potatoes?
Always choose higher starch potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds. You will get the fluffiest, smoothest and most flavor-packed mashed potatoes ever! We used Russet potatoes as they will mash up light and fluffy.
Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for my mashed potatoes?
As long as you still have enough for your coffee in the morning, you can substitute the heavy cream for half-and-half. Overall, your mashed potatoes will not be as rich, but still pack a great flavor!
More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
- Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
- Easy Taco Pizza Rolls
- Dorito Casserole
- Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Hand Mixer
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prep your mashed potatoes first. Add water and salt to a pot, add peeled potatoes that are peeled, halved, and boil for 30 minutes until tender. Drain the potatoes.
- With a hand mixer, mix in the cream, butter, and salt.
- Fold in the sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, and garlic.
- Once your mashed potatoes are ready, spread them into a baking dish and top with additional cheese and bacon.
- Bake your casserole at 350 degrees for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Finish off the casserole with chopped green onions before serving. It’s that easy!
Great dish and taste. Fresh outlook on classic mashed potatoes.