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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick spray for easy release.
- 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.
- 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.
- Enhance the potato mixture with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Fold in shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon, distributing ingredients evenly throughout the creamy base.
- 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.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
- 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