Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Enjoy your favorite comfort side as a meal with this cheesy, hearty Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole, topped with crispy bacon and fresh chives.
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Growing up, mashed potatoes were a family favorite. My Irish Grammy from Brooklyn would make them for Sunday dinners, and my cousin and I would sort of compete adding toppings to mix in—more cheese ALWAYS, extra butter, and another spoonful of sour cream. It is crazy how smells, especially those of home-cooked meals, bring on such fond memories. Is there a dish that brings on this nostalgia for you? Think about it and smile.
Anyway, potatoes as sides are a tradition all around the world. We have everything from Twice Baked Potatoes, to creamy summer classics like Ina Garten’s Potato Salad, and everyone’s fave Homemade French Fries. But this recipe for Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole turns one of our favorite sides into a hearty meal.
It is easy to make and includes all of the signature toppings of a baked potato: bacon, cheese, butter, sour cream, and chives. But instead of a baked potato we turn the potatoes into a classic mashed and served it as a casserole. I love this recipe because it is simple to whip up and can be served on a weeknight, dinner party, or holiday meal. I also recommend you Cook Bacon In The Oven to help make this dish even easier.
Is Mashed Potato Casserole Healthy?
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole is one of those dishes that isn’t considered healthy, per se, but it is great for your soul and does have some beneficial components. Plain potatoes are high in potassium, vitamin C, and low in calories. The milk and cheese are both great sources of calcium. Finally, chives are also high in vitamin C, may even improve memory and aid in digestion. This dish can be made vegetarian if you leave out the bacon.
What Are the Qualities of a Casserole?
I used to think that a casserole had a crust or a crunchy topping. It turns out that a casserole just has to be served in, you guessed it… a casserole dish, and include a few ingredients mixed all together. While the recipe does not state that you should heat the dish in the oven before serving, I find that it does a better job of melting the cheese and turns out delicious! A great characteristic of a casserole is that it is a one-dish meal and is normally served in the same dish that it is prepared in. So enjoy doing fewer dishes after you devour your Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole!
INGREDIENTS
- 3 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 6 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 cup sour cream
INSTRUCTIONS
Boil
Cook the potatoes in boiling water until they are soft enough to mash.
Crisp
Fry the bacon slices until they are golden and crunchy, then break them into small bits.
Melt
Heat the milk with butter and seasonings until well combined and the butter is fully melted.
Prep
Shred the cheese and chop the chives to mix into the potatoes.
Combine
Mash the potatoes and stir in the warm milk mixture, crispy bacon, cheese, sour cream, and chives.
Serve
Place the mashed potatoes in a bowl and sprinkle with chives.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
If you are making the dish ahead or have leftovers, you can store it in an airtight container for up to three days. To reheat, cook in the microwave for a minute or in the oven at 350°F for about five minutes and stir.
This is not uncommon. To make your dish creamy again just add a splash of milk. And if you add too much milk, serve it as Loaded Mashed Potato Soup!
Yes! Use whatever cheese you have on hand. I like Colby. Pepper Jack will give it a nice kick. American Cheese melts the best. And mozzarella is delish but much more mild.
Serving Suggestions
This Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole is traditionally a side, but is satisfying enough to be a meal. Serve it with something light, like this easy Sauteed Broccoli or Kale Salad With Cranberries.
For a traditional American comfort meal, serve Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole with Turkey Meatloaf. It is even perfect for a holiday meal, like Thanksgiving. As long as nobody objects to you messing with traditional Mashed Potatoes. Of course, if you have the time, you can always serve both!
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 6 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup fresh chives finely chopped
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Begin by boiling the peeled and chopped russet potatoes until tender, then drain.
- While the potatoes cook, fry the bacon until crispy, then crumble it into small pieces.
- Warm the milk with butter, salt, and pepper in a saucepan until the butter melts.
- Shred the cheddar cheese and finely chop the fresh chives.
- Mash the cooked potatoes and combine with the warm milk mixture, bacon, cheese, sour cream, and most of the chives.
- Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving bowl, garnish with the remaining chives, and DEVOUR!
Nutrition
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