Description
To understand the appeal of a loaded baked potato casserole, one must first appreciate the architecture of a loaded potato. Traditionally, a “loaded” potato is a large russet that has been baked until fluffy and then sliced open to accommodate a mountain of butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, and chives. While delicious, eating a loaded potato can be a messy affair, and preparing them individually for a large group is time-consuming.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 large baking potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat & prepare potatoes
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Boil diced potatoes in salted water until tender (~10–12 minutes). Drain well.
2. Make the creamy base
- In a large bowl, mash potatoes with butter, sour cream, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Stir in cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Assemble the casserole
- Transfer potato mixture to a greased baking dish.
- Top with extra cheddar cheese and a few bacon crumbles.
4. Bake
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
5. Serve
- Garnish with extra green onions or a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Notes
Soft, creamy potatoes layered with cheese, bacon, and green onions make this casserole a crowd-pleasing dinner or side dish that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side / Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx.)
- Calories: 320 kcal
Keywords: Loaded potato bake, cheesy mashed potato casserole, loaded potato mash, baked potato side dish, creamy bacon and potato bake.