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Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Loaded mashed potato casserole transforms your favorite potatoes into a make-ahead friendly casserole! This version is perfectly cheesy with just the right amount of bacon and sour cream. Recipe includes a how-to video!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 390 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3 3 lbs russet or gold potatoes
  • ⅔ ⅔ cup whole milk
  • ½ ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ ½ cup sour cream OR 3 oz cream cheese, cut into pieces (85g) (see note)
  • 1 1 clove garlic pressed
  • 1 1 teaspoon table salt
  • ½ ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
  • 6 6 oz shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • ½ ½ cup crumbled bacon (about 6 slices cooked and crumbled)
  • Chives or scallions for topping

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 375F (190C).
  2. Peel and cut potatoes into 1 ½” (4cm) pieces. Place in a colander and rinse under cold water for one minute.
  3. Transfer potatoes to a large pot, cover with at least an inch of water, and generously salt the water. Place pot on stovetop over high heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once potatoes are fork-tender, carefully drain potatoes into colander then return to the pot and allow to sit for a minute (this helps the excess water evaporate from the pan).
  4. Add milk, butter, sour cream or cream cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper,and mash until potatoes reach desired consistency. Stir well.
  5. Stir in 1 cup (4oz) or shredded cheddar cheese until well distributed.
  6. Spread potatoes into a 2 or 2.5 qt casserole dish. Top with remaining ½ cup (2oz) of shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
  7. Lightly butter a large piece of foil and lightly cover the casserole dish (buttered side down). Transfer to center rack of 375F (190C) preheated oven and bake for 20 mins, remove the foil, and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melty and bubbly.
  8. Remove from oven and top with chives or scallions. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Either of these is a delicious option. I personally prefer cream cheese, which is a bit richer and makes a thicker mashed potato. If you aren't sure which to use, though, I recommend using sour cream which has a milder flavor and is more likely to be well-enjoyed by all of your guests. 
  • I use an 11x7" (17x28cm) casserole dish, these are typically 2 or 2.5 quarts. If you opt for a round pan, note that these are usually deeper and may require more time in the oven to thoroughly heat through.
  • If you want to make this in a 9x13" pan, your casserole will be thinner, which is totally fine, it just won't need as much time in the oven to heat through (start checking 5 minutes sooner).
  • Store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • You can make the entire dish up to 2 days in advance of baking. Follow the recipe through step 6 (do not bake), cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove plastic wrap and cover with lightly buttered foil. Let sit at room temperature while oven heats to 350F. Bake covered for 30-40 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melty and dish is heated through.
  • Let the potatoes cool completely, store in an airtight container or wrap tightly. I sometimes like to press plastic wrap into the surface of the potatoes to help prevent any freezer burn. It will keep for about 2 months in the freezer. before reheating, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in 350F (175C) oven (remove the plastic wrap first, if you used it!), covered, for about 30 minutes (or longer, check that the center is heated before serving, sometimes you think it's thawed all the way but it's still frozen in the center and may need more time, an instant-read thermometer is a great way to check the temperature!). 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 390kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 33g (11%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 14g (70%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 0.5g Cholesterol 73mg (24%) Sodium 664mg (28%) Potassium 781mg (22%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 693IU (14%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 217mg (22%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 390

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 390kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 33g 11%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 0.5g 25%
Cholesterol 73mg 24%
Sodium 664mg 28%
Potassium 781mg 17%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 693IU 14%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 217mg 22%
Iron 2mg 11%

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