Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

This make ahead loaded mashed potato casserole is full of bacon, cheese, sour cream and chives – it’s the perfect no-fuss side dish for a holiday meal.

In my family I am always put on mashed potato duty. I’ve made them so many times that I have it down to an exact science. But sometimes I want something a little more interesting than your standard mashed potatoes. This loaded mashed potato casserole jazzes up plain potatoes by adding everyone’s favorite baked potato toppings to the mix.  Best of all, you can make the entire casserole a day in advance and just pop it in the oven to bake before it’s time to eat.

The base of this casserole is sour cream mashed potatoes. Everyone seems to have preferences in terms of how they mash their spuds – some people like it chunky, others like it smooth. I prefer a smoother potato and I use a ricer to make sure there are no lumps left behind. If you don’t have a ricer, not a problem – this recipe also works with a traditional potato masher or you can even use your mixer (but never the food processor)!

I added cheddar cheese to the mashed potatoes, because no one ever complained about too much cheese! I finished the dish off with more cheese, plenty of bacon and fresh herbs.

Whether it’s for a special occasion or a busy weeknight this loaded mashed potato casserole is a real crowd pleaser. It’s a great way to elevate mashed potatoes from an ordinary side dish to something extra special without a lot of effort!

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Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

This make ahead loaded mashed potato casserole is full of bacon, cheese, sour cream and chives - it's the perfect no-fuss side dish for a holiday meal.

Course Side Dish

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings 6 servings

Calories 462 kcal

Author Dinner at the Zoo

Ingredients

• 3 pounds of russet potatoes , peeled and cut into 1 and 1/2 inch pieces
• 3/4 cup of milk (I used 1%)
• 4 tablespoons of butter , melted
• 1 cup of sour cream
• kosher salt and pepper to taste
• 1 2/3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese , divided use
• 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
• 1/4 cup finely chopped chives
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add 2 tablespoons of salt. Place the potatoes in the pot and boil for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
2. Drain the potatoes. Run the potatoes through the ricer and transfer them back to the pot. Alternatively you can skip the ricing step and simply mash the potatoes with a potato masher or mixer. Stir in the milk, butter, sour cream and then add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the potatoes into a 9 inch pan coated with cooking spray. Top with remaining 2/3 cup of cheddar cheese. Cover the pan with foil and place into the oven. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and add the bacon; bake, uncovered for an additional 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and potatoes are heated through. Sprinkle the chives and parsley over the top and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Make Ahead: Place the prepared mashed potatoes in the baking pan and top with cheese. Cover and place in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Proceed with the rest of the recipe instructions when you're ready to bake it.

Nutrition Facts

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 462 Calories from Fat 270

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 30g 46%

Saturated Fat 17g 85%

Cholesterol 85mg 28%

Sodium 490mg 20%

Potassium 1116mg 32%

Total Carbohydrates 31g 10%

Dietary Fiber 5g 20%

Sugars 2g

Protein 18g 36%

Vitamin A 20.4%

Vitamin C 35.1%

Calcium 37.5%

Iron 43.3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.