Creamy, cheesy and full of bacon this Mashed Potato Casserole is the perfect side dish to your weekly dinner. Easy and delicious, this recipe is a must make.
We go through a lot of potatoes in this house. It is one of our most used “ingredients” that we have. But don’t be fooled, we like them in many different forms.
Some of our favorite ones we make are Potatoes Au Gratin, Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes and the old school Creamed Potatoes!
There is just so many things that you can do with potatoes it’s ridiculous, but this Mashed Potato Casserole is one of our favorites around here.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- With easy to find ingredients, this recipe is a breeze to make especially since the ingredients are minimal.
- With the addition of bacon and cheese inside and on top of the casserole, you will never have a shortage of flavor.
- The use of ranch dressing mix in this recipe really kicks it up a notch and gives it the punch of flavor it deserves.
- This is made in one pot, which makes cleanup a breeze!
If you’re anything like me, you go nuts for things that contain both bacon and cheese. I mean both of them alone are amazing, but when they are together, it just is the best thing ever.
Just thing of a loaded baked potato in a larger portion, that is exactly what this recipe is!
HOW TO MAKE MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE, STEP BY STEP:
- In large pot boil your potatoes until fork tender, drain and place back into your pot along with cream cheese, butter, milk and ranch dressing mix.
- With a potato masher mash your potatoes until everything is combined and creamy, it’s ok if there are some lumps left, if you want it to be completely smooth use a hand mixer.
- Add in all but about 2 Tbs chopped bacon and 1 1/2 cups of your shredded cheese.
- Stir the cheese and bacon into the potatoes until evenly distributed and mixed well.
- Spread into a 9″x13″ baking dish and smooth out the top.
- Sprinkle with remaining bacon and cheese and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, turn on broiler for 2-3 minutes until melted and golden.
Can you not tell me that this Mashed Potato Casserole is super easy! Seriously though, these are the recipes that we live for, easy, family friendly and delicious.
CAN THIS BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME?
Absolutely, you can make this ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. I would add some additional cooking time to make sure that the potatoes are all heated through.
One great thing about this Mashed Potato Casserole is that it can easily be adapted with more ingredients! Some of our other favorite ingredients to add to this dish include:
- Jalapenos
- Diced ham
- Onions
- Steamed broccoli
- Topped with sour cream
However you like it, you need to add this Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe to your menu, and soon! This is one of those dishes that doesn’t last long.
It can be made as a stand alone main dish, or you can serve it as a side dish! Either way is a great idea for weeknight meals.
CAN MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE BE FROZEN?
Absolutely! So to freeze this recipe do all the steps as you were to assemble the casserole, and make sure you are freezing in a container that is freezer safe, we like to use the tinfoil baking trays.
Let the casserole cool and then wrap in tinfoil and freeze up to 3 months. To reheat, defrost your casserole and bake at 350 for about 50 minutes so potatoes are completely warmed through.
WHAT POTATOES TO USE:
For this recipe we prefer to use Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes because of the texture, it is less waxy. But essential you can use any type of potato you want, it will work regardless.
If you are in a pinch you can even use instant mashed potatoes as long as it will add up to the amount you will need in the recipe itself.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MAKING MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE:
- It’s ok if your potatoes are a little bit lumpy, we really like it that way, you can use a potato masher or a hand mixer, depending on how smooth you like your potatoes.
- We like to use Russet potatoes for making these, in a pinch you can use instant mashed potatoes if necessary.
- Add some of your other favorite mix ins for a different type of casserole!
- Instead of packaged ranch dressing mix, make your own, we like to use this recipe here!
If you want a fun recipe that the whole family will enjoy then you need to whip up this Mashed Potato Casserole!
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If you’ve tried this MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and what shenanigans I’m getting into!
Mashed Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup Milk
- 2 Tbs ranch dressing mix
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup cooked bacon diced and divided
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
Instructions
- Add potatoes to a large pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil until tender and then
- drain and return to pot.
- Add the cream cheese, butter, milk and ranch dressing mix to the potatoes and, with a potato masher and hand mixer, mash until almost smooth, it's ok to have a few lumps.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of cheese and most of the bacon (reserve about 2 Tbs for garnish).
- Stir the cheese and bacon into the potatoes until combined.
- Spread the potatoes into a 2 quart baking dish, then top with reserved cheese and bacon.
- Place in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, then turn the oven to broil and broil
- about 2-3 minutes until cheese is bubbly and potatoes are slightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with green onion before serving.
Notes
- It's ok if your potatoes are a little bit lumpy, we really like it that way, you can use a potato masher or a hand mixer, depending on how smooth you like your potatoes.
- We like to use Russet potatoes for making these, in a pinch you can use instant mashed potatoes if necessary.
- Add some of your other favorite mix ins for a different type of casserole!
- Instead of packaged ranch dressing mix, make your own, we like to use this recipe here!
Nutrition
Tornadough Alli is not a nutritionist or dietitian, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and nutritional value is important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and values can vary depending on which brands were used.
Laurie
Really great recipe !! I used the Spicy Ranch Powder in it !! Also I put green onions in with the potatoes instead of just as a garnish !! I am going to freeze it !! Thanks so much for the recipe !!