Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate comfort food: Mashed Potato Casserole. Imagine pillowy russet potatoes whipped to buttery perfection, enriched with tangy sour cream, creamy cheese, and crispy bacon, all baked together beneath a golden blanket of cheddar. Whether you’re feeding a holiday crowd or just treating yourself to a weeknight indulgence, this dish is pure happiness on a plate. It’s creamy, cheesy, and a little bit smoky, and it might just become the most-requested side at your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the reasons Mashed Potato Casserole is a forever favorite is its everyday, honest ingredients. Each one plays a vital role—adding creaminess, depth, or color to every bite. Here’s what you’ll need (and why you’ll love it):
- Russet potatoes (3 pounds): High-starch, fluffy potatoes make your casserole irresistibly light yet rich.
- Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons): Adds silkiness and lets you control the saltiness.
- Sour cream (1 cup): Brings a welcome tang and extra creaminess to the mash.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): Secret ingredient alert! This amps up the velvety texture to a whole new level.
- Whole milk (1/2 cup): Thins the mash while keeping everything luxuriously creamy.
- Garlic powder (1 tsp): Gives a subtle warmth without overwhelming the flavors.
- Onion powder (1/2 tsp): A little dash goes a long way to add deep savory notes.
- Salt (1 1/2 tsp): Essential to bring out all those rich flavors—taste after mashing!
- Black pepper (1/2 tsp): Balances the richness with just the right amount of bite.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (1 1/2 cups, divided): For gooey, melty magic both inside and on top.
- Bacon (4 slices, cooked and crumbled): Salty, smoky crunch that makes this casserole heavenly.
- Green onions (2, thinly sliced): Sprinkle for color and a fresh, zippy finish.
How to Make Mashed Potato Casserole
Step 1: Prep Everything First
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This way, you won’t scramble to find dishes later, and your casserole won’t stick.
Step 2: Boil the Potatoes
Peel and chop your russet potatoes into even chunks, then boil them in a large pot of salted water until they’re fork-tender (about 15 to 20 minutes). Draining well is key—excess water can make your casserole runny.
Step 3: Mash and Mix with Creamy Goodness
Return the hot potatoes to the pot, then add the butter, sour cream, softened cream cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mash until everything is gorgeously smooth and creamy—the kind you sneak bites of before it ever hits the oven.
Step 4: Stir in the Cheddar and Bacon
Fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar and half the crumbled bacon. This little step means you’ll get a stringy cheese pull and smoky crunch inside every spoonful.
Step 5: Layer and Top
Spread the mashed potato mixture evenly into your prepared dish. Scatter the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar and leftover bacon over the top. Presentation matters, and this golden topping will make your Mashed Potato Casserole sing.
Step 6: Bake Until Bubbly
Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until everything is piping hot and the cheese has melted into a bubbly, irresistible topping.
Step 7: Garnish for a Fresh Finish
Just before serving, sprinkle the casserole with thinly sliced green onions. Their fresh pop of color and punchy flavor brightens the whole dish.
How to Serve Mashed Potato Casserole
Garnishes
A flurry of fresh green onions is always a hit, but don’t be afraid to get creative. Try a dusting of smoked paprika for extra warmth or a few chopped chives for delicate onion flavor. A dollop of sour cream on each portion is pure decadence.
Side Dishes
Mashed Potato Casserole is like the very best supporting actor—versatile, dependable, and able to boost any main event. It’s magic next to roasted chicken, grilled steak, glazed ham, or a saucy vegetarian main. Add a crisp salad and something green, like garlicky green beans, for a balanced and memorable meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, scoop the casserole into individual ramekins for a personal, upscale touch. Or, serve family-style and let everyone dig in, potluck-style. To add a fun twist, top with extra cheddar and pop it under the broiler briefly, then drizzle with a little hot sauce for an unexpected kick!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If (and it’s a big if) you end up with leftovers, cover your Mashed Potato Casserole tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to blend and develop as it sits, making for possibly even tastier second helpings.
Freezing
This dish is incredibly freezer-friendly! Assemble everything in advance but hold off on baking. Cover the dish tightly with foil and freeze for up to a month. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as usual.
Reheating
To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 20 to 25 minutes. For smaller servings, the microwave works well—just heat in short intervals and stir to ensure even warmth. Add a splash of milk if needed to restore that just-made creaminess.
FAQs
Can I make Mashed Potato Casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! After assembling, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if starting from cold. This makes holidays and busy nights so much easier.
Is Mashed Potato Casserole gluten-free?
Yes, as written, this recipe is naturally gluten-free—just be sure to double-check all packaging, especially on cheese and bacon, if you’re cooking for someone with an allergy.
Can I add other toppings to Mashed Potato Casserole?
Go for it! Crumbled potato chips, buttery breadcrumbs, chopped herbs, or even dollops of pesto can all be delicious alternatives or additions to the cheddar and bacon topping.
Can I use other types of potatoes?
Russet potatoes are classic for their fluffy texture, but Yukon Golds work beautifully for a slightly more buttery, dense mash. Avoid waxy potatoes, as they can make the casserole heavy.
What’s the best way to make a lighter version?
Swap sour cream for plain Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheese for a lighter take that still tastes rich and satisfying. You can also use turkey bacon or skip the bacon altogether for a vegetarian option.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the warm welcome of Mashed Potato Casserole at the dinner table. Each spoonful is creamy, cheesy, and full of joy—perfect alongside any main, any time of year. If you haven’t tried making it yet, you’re truly in for a treat. Now is your moment to bake up a little comfort!
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Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in this creamy and cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole that’s perfect for any occasion. With layers of flavor from cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions, this dish is a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Potato Mixture:
- 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Boil the potatoes: Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain and mash with butter, sour cream, cream cheese, milk, spices, salt, and pepper.
- Add cheese and bacon: Mix in cheddar cheese and half of the bacon, then spread into the baking dish.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bacon, then bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with green onions before serving.
Notes
- You can prepare this casserole ahead and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream and reduced-fat cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
