Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole | Recipe (2024)

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If you're on the hunt for a casserole that blows all other casseroles out of the water, you've come to the right place. Sure, mashed potatoes are fine on their own, but they couldn't hold a candle to this Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole. Thick-cut, crispy bacon, melty Havarti cheese, flavorful Cheddar, and chopped green onions are speckled throughout a base of mashed potatoes, made über creamy thanks to the addition of butter and, the kicker, cream cheese.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole is perfect for Thanksgiving day and potluck dinners!It feeds a crowd and tastes just as good the next day as it did the first. Prepare yourself for rave reviews, seconds and thirds.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole | Recipe (1)

LOADED MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE INGREDIENTS

  • Russet Potatoes - Russets are perfect for this recipe, but you could also use Yukon Golds if desired.
  • Milk - This recipe calls for whole milk, but if you'd like to step up the decadence a notch, feel free to use half-and-half. On the other hand, you could take things in the opposite direction and use 2% milk as well.
  • Butter - Preferably, use unsalted butter. If you only have salted butter, you'll need to omit the salt from this recipe entirely and, rather, add salt to taste at the end.
  • Cheese - This Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole is extra creamy and extra cheesy thanks to a trifecta of cheeses. You will need to have Cream Cheese, Havarti, and Cheddar cheese on hand.
  • Bacon - The bacon is diced and then cooked in a skillet. For this reason, we recommend using thick-cut bacon -- it's easier to cut when raw!
  • Green Onions - The green onions add a mild onion flavor to the casserole without overpowering it. However, if you'd like to leave them out altogether, go for it!

If you're a fan of cheesy potatoes like these, check out our Cheesy Potato Casserole.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole | Recipe (2)

HOW TO MAKE LOADED MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE

  1. Cook the Bacon - In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, saute the cubed bacon until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside until ready to use.
  2. Boil the Potatoes - Add potatoes to a large pot, and cover them with water by 1 inch. Place over high heat and allow them to come to a boil. Boil the potatoes until fork-tender This should take about 20 minutes.
  3. Make the Mashed Potatoes - Strain the potatoes and add them back to the pot. Add cream cheese, milk, butter, salt, and pepper to the potatoes. Using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, mix until well-combined. Take care not to overmix or your Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole will end with rubbery, over-gluttonized potatoes!
  4. Add the Add-In's- Using a sturdy spoon, stir in the Havarti cheese, ½ cup of Cheddar, half of the bacon, and about two-thirds of the green onions. Transfer to the prepared dish.
  5. Bake - Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove potatoes from the oven and sprinkle the top evenly with remaining the Cheddar, bacon, and green onions. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 10 minutes more, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve and enjoy.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole | Recipe (3)

MAKE-AHEAD MASHED POTATO CASSEROLE

I used to make a stovetop version of this Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole years and years ago for holiday gatherings. The whole family would look forward to scooping up a generous portion to plop down beside their turkey or ham. However, what I didn't like about the recipe was that it needed to be made at the last minute because, unfortunately, it just didn't keep all that well. This is where the cream cheese comes in.

The cream cheese is an extremely important aspect of this recipe, as it keeps the potatoes from drying out, making this the perfect make-ahead potato casserole!

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4.16 from 38 votes

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole | Recipe (4)

Print

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

1 hr

A recipe for loaded mashed potato casserole, featuring crispy thick-cut, bacon, freshly grated Cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions.

Ingredients

  • 8slicescold, thick-cut baconcubed
  • 3poundsRusset potatoesrinsed, peeled, and cut into 1" cubes
  • 8ouncescream cheeseroom temperature
  • ½cupwhole milkroom temperature
  • ½cupunsalted butterroom temperature
  • 2teaspoonsKosher salt
  • 1teaspoonblack pepper
  • 1cupfreshly grated Havarti cheese
  • 1 ¾cupfreshly grated Cheddar Cheeseseparated
  • 4green onions, choppedwhite and light green parts only

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° and have ready a greased 8x8" baking dish.

  2. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, saute the cubed bacon 6-8 minutes, or until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside until ready to use.

  3. Add potatoes to a large pot, and cover with water by 1 inch. Place over high heat and allow to come to a boil. Boil the potatoes until fork tender, about 20 minutes.

  4. Strain the potatoes and add them back to the pot. Add cream cheese, milk, butter, salt, and pepper to the potatoes. Using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, mix until well-combined. Do not overmix.

  5. Using a sturdy spoon, stir in the Havarti cheese, ½ cup of Cheddar, half of the bacon, and about two-thirds of the green onions. Transfer to the prepared dish.

  6. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove potatoes from the oven and sprinkle the top evenly with remaining Cheddar, bacon, and green onions. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 10 minutes more, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Do not overmix the potatoes with the mixer, or they will be chewy.

MAKE-AHEAD NOTES:

You can prepare the casserole a day or two in advance. To do so, prepare the potatoes up until the point of baking, cover and refrigerate.

Set the potatoes out about 45 minutes before baking to remove the chill. Resume with the recipe, and bake as directed.

Nutrition Facts

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 539Calories from Fat 360

% Daily Value*

Fat 40g62%

Saturated Fat 21g131%

Cholesterol 103mg34%

Sodium 985mg43%

Potassium 782mg22%

Carbohydrates 30g10%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 15g30%

Vitamin A 985IU20%

Vitamin C 9.7mg12%

Calcium 245mg25%

Iron 1.8mg10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole | Recipe (5)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says

    I love using havarti cheese in mashed potatoes; it is sooo creamy! This must be ultra creamy with the addition of the cream cheese! And of course, bacon just makes everything better! 🙂

    Reply

  2. Jaclyn Anne says

    There are so many things that I love about this recipe! First of all, I LOVE that it can be prepared ahead of time. Then there is the delicious cheese... oh and that BACON! Yum!

    Reply

  3. Iryna says

    This recipe is definitely going for the win. After all you can't go wrong with the combo of bacon, cheese and potatoes. Such a comfort food!

    Reply

  4. Sandi says

    Bacon is life! Never thought about cream cheese and cheese together with potatoes.

    Reply

  5. Beth says

    Oh, that is a HUGE idea! So simple, yet so huge! A lot of great inventions are just that, aren't they? Simple, yet huge! Cream cheese in the mashed!! Huge!!

    Reply

  6. Sharon says

    This mashed potato casserole is making me excited about the upcoming 'comfort food' season. So loaded with goodness I can't wait to make it.

    Reply

  7. Randi says

    We made these for Thanksgiving and they are amazing!

    Reply

    • Kelly Anthony says

      That's wonderful! Thank you for sharing, Randi!

      Reply

  8. Gail says

    Sooooo good, thanks for posting it! I didn’t have Havarti on hand so used montery jack. .

    Reply

    • Kelly Anthony says

      Thank you! This is one of our favorites!

      Reply

  9. nick d says

    did you peel and cube before or after boiling?

    Reply

    • Kelly Anthony says

      Before 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole | Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What toppings go on mashed potatoes? ›

Sliced green onions, roasted red peppers, olive tapenade, caramelized onions, bacon jam, crème fraîche, brown gravy, pulled pork, pesto, sautéed mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, roasted garlic, flavored butters, fresh herbs, and more are all great options when it comes to topping warm mashed potatoes.

Why add butter before milk in mashed potatoes? ›

Adding the butter first helps to coat the starch in the potato, resulting in a creamier potato. Once the butter is absorbed; add the rest of the dairy.

What does adding an egg to mashed potatoes do? ›

They just taste rich (almost impossibly so). They do, however, feel creamy, because egg yolks are also emulsifiers (and are, in fact, the ingredient in mayo that makes it an emulsifier). The yolk emulsifies water and fat to create a cohesive, velvety bite, while providing a little fat and body of its own.

What are the top 3 potatoes for mashed potatoes? ›

The best potatoes for mashed potatoes are a starchy varieties like russet, Idaho or Yukon gold. Starchy potatoes are best for mashed potatoes because they have a fluffy, almost airy texture that breaks down easily.

What is in TGI Fridays loaded mashed potatoes? ›

Creamy mashed potatoes blended with cheddar cheese, sour cream and real butter. Before placing your online order, if a person in your party has a food allergy, please contact the restaurant directly to inquire.

What meat goes well with mashed potatoes? ›

Almost any meat complements the creamy texture of mashed potatoes. Traditionally, they're served with roasted chicken, grilled steak, pork chops, meatloaf, or turkey. However, they also work well with more gourmet choices like duck, lamb, or a rich beef bourguignon.

What to add to mashed potatoes that are bland? ›

Taste before serving: I like to add a scoop of Better then Bouillon chicken base for great flavor, or add more salt and pepper, sour cream, or melted butter, until you reach the flavor you want. nt to add more salt and pepper, or an extra scoop of sour cream, or a little melted butter.

What can I put on mashed potatoes instead of gravy? ›

Instead of gravy, opt for a lemony hollandaise sauce recipe to add a little tangy flavor and heat to your side dish. This works especially well for any mashed potatoes that have found their way onto a brunch menu, or if you're cooking a French entrée.

Why add cream to mashed potatoes? ›

I've experimented with many mashed potatoes recipes and many ingredients, and have come to this conclusion: if you want to make the creamiest and smoothest mashed potatoes, make your mashed potatoes with heavy cream. I've tried milk, half and half, and other ingredients, but they just don't work as well.

How many potatoes per person? ›

The ultimate potato weight table for feeding a crowd
Number of peopleTotal potato weightNumber of medium-size potatoes needed
10.5 lb.1
42 lbs.4
63 lbs.6
105 lbs.10
Jul 14, 2021

How many mashed potatoes per person? ›

How much Mashed Potatoes should you make? As a side dish, you should plan on ½ pound of potatoes per person. That means if you are planning on 10 people, use 5 pounds of potatoes. 4 people use 2 pounds of potatoes.

What's in the loaded mashed potatoes at Outback? ›

Topped with sour cream, bacon, green onions, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese. Serves 4 - 6. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary.

What are the ingredients in Costco loaded mashed potatoes? ›

Weighing in at nearly 4-pounds, the comfort food classic consists of creamy Yukon gold potatoes, Kirkland Signature bacon and butter, shredded parmesan, mozzarella cheese and sour cream.

What is in Bob Evans loaded potatoes? ›

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Our famous mashed potatoes topped with melted cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream and green onions.

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