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Crack Potatoes

Loaded crack potatoes are the best thing you’ll ever make. This recipe is perfect to feed a large crowd. Cheesy, creamy, and ranch side dish is loaded with bacon and very easy to make. Make this comforting casserole either from store-bought hash browns or using fresh potatoes from scratch.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 578 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 lb potatoes washed and cubed or 30 ounces bag frozen hash browns
  • 8 slices Bacon cooked until crispy
  • 3 tablespoon butter or use bacon fat
  • ¼ cup dry ranch dressing mix
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 green onion chopped

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pre-heat oven at 400°F
  2. Usually frozen potato hash brown is used to make this recipe. It’s quick and easy to put together with store-bought hash browns. If you can’t get frozen hash browns use fresh potatoes. It works too.
  3. Scrub potatoes and rinse them clean. Pat dry with kitchen towel. Cut into small cubes. It’s up to you to peel the skin or it as it is. I prefer it with the skin.Russet potatoes are best; red potatoes work too.
  4. Cut bacon into small cubes and cook in a pan until crispy. Reserve bacon fat and use it to cook potatoes instead of butter for added richness and taste. If you don’t want to use bacon fat, use butter.
  5. Transfer diced potatoes into a wide bowl. Add bacon fat and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat uniformly.
  6. Transfer to an 8x8 casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake in pre-heated oven at 400°F for 40-50 minutes or until potatoes are cooked tender.
  7. Meanwhile in another bowl mix ranch seasoning, a pinch of salt and pepper, sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and half the quantity of bacon. Mix well.Note: Mixing dry ranch seasoning in buttermilk is not a necessary step, use dry mix directly.
  8. Remove the casserole dish from the oven. Pour cheese mix over potatoes. Lightly toss with a silicon or wooden spatula to coat the potatoes.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top and the remaining bacon. Bake in the oven for 5 – 7 minutes or until cheese is melted hot and bubbly.
  10. Remove from oven. Garnish with fresh green onions and serve immediately.

Notes

  •  
  • Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
  • Crack potatoes are usually made using frozen hash browns. It’s easy and quick to make with store-bought hash browns. Having said that, this recipe works great with fresh potatoes too. Make sure to dice potatoes evenly so they all cook together. Use dry ranch seasoning mix. Bottled stuff won’t taste good for the recipe. If you want extra creamy potatoes, add ½ cup more sour cream. Using real bacon always is best. You can also use bacon fat reserved from cooking bacon to cook potatoes.
  • Crack potatoes are usually made using frozen hash browns. It’s easy and quick to make with store-bought hash browns. Having said that, this recipe works great with fresh potatoes too. Make sure to dice potatoes evenly so they all cook together.
  • Use dry ranch seasoning mix. Bottled stuff won’t taste good for the recipe.
  • If you want extra creamy potatoes, add ½ cup more sour cream.
  • Using real bacon always is best. You can also use bacon fat reserved from cooking bacon to cook potatoes.

Nutrition Information

Calories 578kcal (29%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 50g (77%) Saturated Fat 24g (120%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5g Monounsaturated Fat 18g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 106mg (35%) Sodium 1779mg (74%) Potassium 184mg (5%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 825IU (17%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 429mg (43%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 578

% Daily Value*

Calories 578kcal 29%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Protein 20g 40%
Fat 50g 77%
Saturated Fat 24g 120%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g 29%
Monounsaturated Fat 18g 90%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 106mg 35%
Sodium 1779mg 74%
Potassium 184mg 4%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 825IU 17%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 429mg 43%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.