Name: Loaded Baked Mashed Potato Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 ½ Cups Instant Mashed Potato Flakes; 3 ½ Cups Water; 2 Cups Whole Milk; 1 Cup Shredded Colby Jack Cheese; 1 Stick Salted Butter (½ cup); ¼ Cup Sour Cream; 2 Teaspoons Salt; 6 Slices Thickly Sliced Bacon (fried and crumbled); 2 Sprigs Fresh Green Onions (chopped)

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There’s something incredibly comforting about a big, hearty serving of mashed potatoes. But when you elevate it to a Loaded Baked Mashed Potato Casserole, you’re transforming a familiar side dish into the star of the show.

Dive into a creamy mashed potato casserole, delightfully topped with melted cheese, bacon, and green onions. This loaded mashed potato dish is a breeze to make and perfect as an easy side, offering comfort in every bite.

Perfect for Sunday dinners, holiday tables, or when you need the ultimate comfort food, this recipe combines creamy mashed potatoes with mouth-watering toppings for a dish that’s sure to impress.

Using simple ingredients and straightforward steps, let’s make the best loaded mashed potatoes you've ever tasted.

Quick Side Dish Idea

In the whirlwind of daily life, finding a recipe that’s quick to prepare and guaranteed to please the crowd can feel like striking culinary gold.

That's precisely what makes this Easy Loaded Baked Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe a gem for your weekly menu.

Whether you’re juggling work, family, or just the everyday hustle, this dish fits seamlessly into your busy schedule, requiring only 25 minutes from start to finish.

The satisfaction of serving a dish that not only saves you time but also brings smiles and requests for seconds around the dinner table is unmatched.

It's the perfect solution for those evenings when you want to offer something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

Let this mashed potato casserole be your go-to for a comforting, delicious meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day. Our Bourbon Glazed Ham would be the perfect main dish. You should give it a try!

A plate showcasing sliced ham alongside loaded mashed potatoes, topped with cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, and chopped green onions. A dish of shredded cheese is in the background. This hearty meal highlights the irresistible charm of Loaded Baked Mashed Potato delight.

What you'll love about this recipe:

Ultimate Comfort Food: Combines the creamy texture of mashed potatoes with the hearty, savory goodness of bacon and cheese.
Customizable: Easy to tweak to your liking with various potato toppings or substitutions to cater to different dietary needs.
Quick and Easy: This recipe takes 25 minutes to complete. It is straightforward and fuss-free, making it a perfect last-minute lifesaver.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for a cozy family dinner, special holiday, or any time you need to bring a crowd-pleaser.

If you're a fan of our Loaded Baked Mashed Potato Casserole, you'll be thrilled to explore more recipes that harmonize beautifully with it or share some of its delectable components. Sweet and Savory Morsels offers a treasure trove of recipes that are sure to complement your culinary adventures.

Other SIDE Dishes To Try

If you're a fan of our Loaded Baked Mashed Potato Casserole, you'll be thrilled to explore more recipes that complement it beautifully or share some of its delectable components.

Sweet and Savory Morsels offers a treasure trove of recipes that are sure to complement your culinary adventures.

For instance, their Fiesta Corn Casserole is a vibrant, cheesy delight that can serve as a colorful companion to your potato casserole.

It's a quick recipe, needing just about 10 minutes of prep time and then some oven magic to bring out its cheesy goodness.

This dish, brimming with sweet corn, cream cheese, and a touch of spice from bell peppers, could be a fantastic addition to any meal, bringing a Mexican-inspired flair to your table.

Another hearty option is the Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe.

It combines the savory notes of bacon and onion with the earthiness of black-eyed peas, creating a side dish that's rich in flavors and textures.

This could be a wonderful choice for adding a bit of Southern charm to your meal.

Using an Instant Pot also means this recipe is convenient and straightforward, making it an excellent choice for a fuss-free addition to your dinner plans.

For those who love a good dip, the Creamy Southwestern Corn Dip could be a game-changer.

It's a delightful blend of southwestern corn, mayonnaise, sour cream, and cheese, finished with a kick of chili powder.

This dip is not only easy to make but also perfect for serving with tortilla chips, making it an ideal pick for any gathering or a simple family snack.

Each of these recipes offers a unique way to enrich your dining experience, whether you're looking for side dishes that complement the creamy and hearty flavors of the Loaded Baked Mashed Potato Casserole or seeking something with a bit of contrast to add variety to your meal.

Indulge in a baked mashed potato casserole topped with melted cheese, chopped bacon, and sliced green onions, all nestled in a glass dish.

Ingredients you'll need For Loaded Baked Mashed Potato

Overhead view of ingredients for Loaded Mashed Potatoes: butter, flour, milk, water, sugar, sour cream, chopped bacon, shredded cheese, and green onions. All carefully arranged on a striped cloth with a wooden spoon and measuring spoon nearby.

To get started making this recipe, you'll first want to gather all your ingredients first.

Ingredients you'll need for this recipe for Baked Mashed Potato

Instant Mashed Potato Flakes
Water
Milk
Colby Jack Cheese
Butter
Sour Cream
Salt
Thickly Sliced Bacon
Fresh Green Onions

If you prefer other toppings on your usual baked potatoes, add those at the proper time, if desired.

Items Needed:

9×13 Baking Dish

Step-by-Step Instructions For Mashed Potato Casserole

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the water, salt, and butter to a large boiling pot. Bring to a boil and remove from the stove.

Three-image collage: Water being poured into a pot, salt being added, and a stick of butter in the water. A striped cloth and small bowl in the background await the transformation of these ingredients into creamy mashed potatoes.

Step 2: Bring to a boil and remove from the stove.

Butter in a frying pan surrounded by ingredients like green onions, crumbled bacon, and flour, perfect for starting a delicious Loaded Baked Mashed Potato Casserole. A striped cloth and wooden spoon lie nearby.

Step 3: Add the milk and potato flakes. Stir well.

Pouring liquid from a measuring cup into a bowl, followed by an image of a crumbly mixture spread evenly in a round baking dish, perfectly setting the stage for a delicious loaded baked mashed potato casserole.

Step 4: Add the sour cream and stir well again. At this point, taste the mashed potatoes and add more milk, sour cream, or seasoning to adjust the consistency to your preference.

A pot of creamy mashed potatoes topped with sour cream, surrounded by green onions, bacon bits, a wooden spoon, and flour on a striped cloth.

Step 5: Spread the mashed potatoes in a 9×13 pan and make sure they’re even.

Loaded Baked Mashed Potato Casserole in a glass baking dish, topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions, rests on a striped cloth with flour nearby and a wooden spoon at the ready.

Step 6: Sprinkle the potatoes with the shredded cheese.

A glass baking dish brimming with creamy mashed potatoes topped with shredded cheese, surrounded by chopped green onions and bacon bits, rests beside a wooden spoon. A striped cloth adds a cozy touch.

Step 7: Follow it with the crumbled bacon.

A glass dish showcases a layered casserole, topped with cheese and crispy bacon pieces. Nearby, find a striped cloth, a bowl of scallions, wooden spoon, and cheese in a small bowl—perfect accompaniments to creamy loaded baked mashed potatoes.

Step 8: Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted. Remove and add the chopped green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!

A Baked Mashed Potato Casserole features a creamy mash topped with baked cheese and crispy bacon, garnished with green onions. The dish sits on a striped cloth, surrounded by ingredients on a white surface.

Tips & Tricks

Creamy Texture: For extra creamy mashed potatoes, add a bit more milk or sour cream when mixing.
Cheese Varieties: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese for varied flavors.
Bacon Bits: For convenience, pre-packaged bacon bits can be used, but freshly fried and crumbled bacon offers the best taste.
Garnishing: Garnish with extra green onions or chives for a pop of color and freshness.

A plate with sliced ham and a serving of Loaded Baked Mashed Potato casserole topped with bacon and green onions, next to a fork. Nearby are a casserole dish, a bowl of shredded cheese, and a bowl of sour cream.

Can you believe just how easy that was? Whipping up the Loaded Baked Mashed Potato Casserole turned out to be a delightful surprise, not just for its uncomplicated process but for the sheer deliciousness it brings to the table.

FAQs about Baked Mashed Potatoes

Absolutely! While instant mashed potato flakes make this recipe quick and convenient, you can use real potatoes.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Yes, you can prepare the mashed potato base, spread it into the baking dish, and refrigerate. Just add the toppings and bake when you're ready to serve.

Substitutions to Tailor to Your Taste

Dairy-Free Version: Use plant-based milk and dairy-free cheese options.
Lighter Version: Substitute the whole milk with skim milk and use low-fat cheese.
Vegetarian Twist: Omit the bacon or use a vegetarian bacon alternative for a meat-free version.

A cheesy loaded mashed potato casserole topped with chopped bacon and green onions, with a serving being lifted in a glass baking dish.

Loaded Baked Mashed Potato Casserole

Kelly

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Ingredients

4 ½ Cups Instant Mashed Potato Flakes
3 ½ Cups Water
2 Cups Whole Milk
1 Cup Shredded Colby Jack Cheese
1 Stick Salted Butter ½ cup
¼ Cup Sour Cream
2 Teaspoons Salt
6 Slices Thickly Sliced Bacon fried and crumbled
2 Sprigs Fresh Green Onions chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit.
In a large boiling pot, add the water, salt, and butter. Bring to a boil and remove from the stove.
Add the milk and potato flakes. Stir well.
Add the sour cream and stir well again. At this point, taste the mashed potatoes and add more milk, sour cream, or seasoning to adjust the mashed potatoes to your preferred consistency.
Spread the mashed potatoes in a 9×13 pan and make sure they’re even.
Sprinkle the potatoes with the shredded cheese and then follow it with the crumbled bacon.
Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted.
Remove and add the chopped green onions.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

To store, place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing as the cheese comes out a little wonky, in my personal opinion.
If you want to use homemade mashed potatoes instead of instant, you’ll want to wash, peel, and chop 4 pounds of russet potatoes. Place them in a large boiling pot and cover with water. Boil until fork tender. Cut the butter into smaller pieces. Add the butter, salt, and milk to the potatoes and use a hand mixer to mix the ingredients until creamy. Add the sour cream and stir. Then, follow steps 5-9 as usual. Add more milk, as needed, to reach the creamy consistency you prefer.
Do not overbake, or the cheese will come out hard, and that’s not fun to eat.
If you prefer other toppings on your usual baked potatoes, add those at the proper time, if desired.
Do not add the green onions until after it’s baked, or they will turn out gross.