Super Tasty Loaded Baked Potato Casserole Recipe – Family Favorite

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering loaded baked potato casserole that promises pure creamy deliciousness.

Crispy bacon bits and melted cheese create an irresistible layer of flavor in every single bite.

The rich, hearty dish brings warmth to any dinner table with its golden-brown top and luxurious texture.

Tender potatoes nestled beneath a blanket of sharp cheddar and green onions make this casserole an instant crowd-pleaser.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of crispy and smooth ingredients that dance on your palate.

Home cooks will love how simple yet impressive this recipe becomes when served.

Prepare to savor a classic side dish that transforms into a memorable main course everyone will adore.

Why People Keep Making This Potato Casserole

• A hearty, soul-warming dish that wraps you in delicious, cheesy goodness perfect for family gatherings and potluck dinners.
• Simple step-by-step instructions make this recipe approachable for beginners and experienced home cooks, requiring minimal culinary skills to create a restaurant-quality side dish.
• Flexible recipe allows endless variations by swapping bacon for ham, adding different cheese blends, or incorporating extra herbs and spices to match personal taste preferences.
• Guaranteed to impress guests with its rich, indulgent flavors and stunning presentation, transforming ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary culinary experience that everyone will love.

What Goes in the Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

• Russet Potatoes: A classic potato variety perfect for creating creamy and fluffy mashed potato bases.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a smooth, luxurious potato texture.
• Cream Cheese: Provides extra creaminess and a subtle tangy flavor to the potato mixture.
• Sour Cream: Enhances the richness and adds a slight tang to the casserole.
• Cheddar Cheese: Delivers a sharp, classic cheese flavor and creates a golden melted topping.
• Bacon: Brings a smoky, salty crunch that complements the creamy potatoes.

• Milk: Helps achieve the perfect mashed potato consistency.

• Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Provide essential seasoning to enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Green Onions: Adds a fresh, bright garnish with a mild onion flavor.

• Nonstick Cooking Spray: Ensures the casserole doesn't stick to the baking dish.

Method for Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Dish

Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

This ensures your dish is ready for the delicious potato mixture.

Step 2: Cook Potato Chunks

Wash and dice russet potatoes into uniform chunks.

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water.

Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork-tender, which takes about 15-20 minutes.

Soft potatoes make for creamy mashing.

Step 3: Create Creamy Potato Base

Drain potatoes and return to the pot.

• Butter
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Milk

Mash ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

Slightly warmed milk helps create a velvety texture.

Step 4: Season and Mix Ingredients

• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Crumbled bacon

Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish.

Step 5: Add Final Toppings

Sprinkle remaining cheese and bacon over the potato mixture.

This creates a delicious golden crust that everyone will love.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.

Look for bubbling cheese and a golden-brown top that signals it’s ready to eat.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped green onions.

Serve hot and watch your dinner guests dive in with excitement.

Key Tips for Potato Casserole Perfection

• Cut potatoes into uniform chunks to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked.
• Slightly heat milk, cream cheese, and sour cream before mixing to create smoother, more velvety mashed potato texture.
• Add extra seasonings like smoked paprika or dried herbs to enhance the overall taste profile of the casserole.
• Cover the casserole with aluminum foil for the first 15 minutes of baking to stop cheese from browning too quickly and becoming bitter.
• Prepare the casserole up to one day in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

Save & Reheat This Potato Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before covering to prevent condensation.
• Transfer casserole to a freezer-safe container or wrap securely with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350°F, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the top.
• Place single serving on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stop when thoroughly warm.

Pair This Casserole With These Foods

• Pair Zesty White Wine: Select a crisp, light Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the rich, creamy potato casserole and refresh your palate with its bright, citrusy notes.
• Complement with Smoky Ale: Choose a robust craft beer like a smoked porter or bacon-friendly amber ale that matches the casserole's bacon and cheese flavor profile, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Balance with Crisp Green Salad: Prepare a tangy arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a sharp, fresh contrast against the heavy, indulgent potato dish, adding a refreshing element to your meal.
• Enhance with Herbed Sour Cream: Create a quick side condiment by mixing fresh chives, dill, and a touch of garlic into extra sour cream, offering a zesty, cool accompaniment that elevates the casserole's richness.

Switch-Ups for Loaded Potato Casserole

• Vegan Potato Comfort Bake: Replace butter with olive oil, swap cream cheese and sour cream with cashew cream, use plant-based bacon bits or coconut bacon, and select dairy-free cheese alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan cheddar.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Casserole: Substitute potatoes with riced cauliflower, maintain original seasonings and cheese toppings, reduce baking time to 15-20 minutes for lighter texture.
• Herb-Infused Potato Medley: Add fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and parsley into potato mixture, use garlic-infused olive oil, incorporate different cheese blends like gruyère and parmesan for enhanced flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Protein Power Casserole: Keep original recipe ingredients, ensure bacon is gluten-free certified, add cooked diced chicken or ground turkey for extra protein, top with gluten-free breadcrumbs for crunch.

FAQs

• Are russet potatoes the best choice for this casserole?

Russet potatoes are ideal because they have high starch content, which makes them perfect for creating creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes. Their texture allows them to absorb butter and cream easily, resulting in a smooth and rich casserole.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to the baking stage, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake it directly from the refrigerator, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.

• How can I make this recipe lighter or healthier?

Consider using reduced-fat cheese, turkey bacon, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and milk with lower fat content. You can also add roasted vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower to increase nutritional value.

• What can I do if I don't have cream cheese?

If cream cheese is unavailable, substitute with the same amount of Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. These alternatives will still provide creaminess and tangy flavor to your potato casserole.

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets indulgence in this Loaded Baked Potato Casserole, a hearty dish packed with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and creamy potatoes. Each forkful promises a delightful journey through classic comfort food that satisfies deep hunger and warms souls completely.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 large russet potatoes
• 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 1/2 cups bacon (cooked and crumbled)

Dairy and Creamy Components:

• 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese
• 2/3 cup (160 milliliters) sour cream
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk

Seasonings and Garnish:

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
• 1/4 cup green onions (diced)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick spray for easy release.
2. Clean and dice russet potatoes into uniform chunks to ensure even cooking. Submerge in cold water, bring to a rolling boil, and simmer until potatoes yield easily to a fork, approximately 15-20 minutes.
3. Drain potatoes and return to the pot. While still steaming, incorporate butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and slightly warmed milk. Mash thoroughly until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
4. Enhance the potato mixture with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Fold in shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon, distributing ingredients evenly throughout the creamy base.
5. Transfer the potato mixture into the prepared casserole dish, creating an even layer. Generously scatter remaining cheese and bacon across the surface for a decadent topping.
6. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
7. Remove from oven and garnish with fresh green onions for a vibrant, crisp finish. Serve piping hot for maximum flavor and texture.

Notes

• Customize potato texture by leaving some chunks for a rustic, homestyle feel that adds interesting mouthfeel to the casserole.
• Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon or plant-based bacon alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences without losing rich, smoky flavor.
• Make the dish vegetarian by replacing bacon with roasted mushrooms or caramelized onions, which provide similar umami depth and textural contrast.
• Reduce calories by using low-fat dairy options like Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and reduced-fat cheese, maintaining creamy consistency while cutting down on fat content.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg