Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Level up your side dish game with this delicious Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole. Creamy and rich and are easy to make ahead of time, making them a great option for Thanksgiving and the holidays.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

What’s in this Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe?

When it comes to deciding what to serve up for Thanksgiving and Christmas I always want to find lots of make-ahead options to make the day less stressful in the kitchen. And that’s where this delicious loaded mashed potato casserole comes in! Super easy to make, this side dish is creamy and buttery, and of course, loaded with bacon and cheese. What’s not to love?!

  • Potatoes: Yukon Gold is my favorite variety of potatoes, but Russet or Idaho potatoes also work well.
  • Salt + Pepper: Enhance the natural flavor of the potatoes.
  • Granulated Onion: Adds a savory and earthy flavor to the potatoes.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds an earthy flavor and a pungent aroma.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds moisture and richness to the potatoes.
  • Cream Cheese: Makes these potatoes super rich and creamy.
  • Sour Cream: Adds even more creaminess and a slightly tangy flavor.
  • Half-and-Half: Adds richness and moisture. You can also use heavy cream.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Makes these potatoes super cheesy!
  • Crumbled Bacon: Adds a salty and umami element.
  • Fresh Chives: Add a pop of color and freshness.

Pro Tip: If making ahead of time, let the potatoes cool completely before storing.

Variations on Fully Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

I flavored these potatoes how I take my baked potatoes, fully loaded. Feel free to swap in your favorite baked potato toppings, like broccoli and cheddar cheese, pico de gallo and Mexican cheese, or caramelized onions, garlic mushrooms, and Swiss cheese.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

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What is on loaded mashed potatoes?

A loaded baked potato is topped with sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, and chives.

What are the top 3 potatoes for mashed potatoes?

My top potato when making mash is Yukon Gold. They are nice and starchy so get really fluffy. Russets or Idaho potatoes are also a good choice but stay away from waxy potatoes like red-skinned or fingerlings.

Should milk be cold or warm for mashed potatoes?

I prefer to warm the milk or cream before adding to prevent it from curdling from the sudden temperature change.

Is it better to use milk or heavy cream in mashed potatoes?

While both options work, I prefer half-and-half or heavy cream over milk for a richer flavor.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover loaded mashed potato casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in. 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.

How to Freeze

Freeze loaded mashed potato casserole tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

This loaded mashed potato casserole is the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas or Thanksgiving meal. Try it with Thanksgiving turkey, prime rib roast, mini turkey meatloaves, pork crown roast, roasted turkey breast, or pork roulade.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

5-Star Review

“Made this for EasterDinnertoday and even my daughter who hates mashed potatoes loved this recipe.” – Tiffany

Recipe

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe

4.62 from 59 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 40 minutes minutes

Total: 50 minutes minutes

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

Serves10 people

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Level up your side dish game with this delicious loaded mashed potato casserole. Creamy and rich, they are easy to make ahead of time, making them a great option of Thanksgiving and the holidays.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt divided
  • teaspoons ground black pepper divided
  • 1 teaspoon granulated onion
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature (1 stick)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature (½ brick)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • cups half-and-half or heavy cream warmed slightly
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese divided
  • 1 pound crumbled cooked bacon divided
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives divided

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.

  • Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Place the potatoes in a large Dutch oven and cover with 1-inch water. Add 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon granulated onion, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder; stir well. Set over high heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until potatoes are fork tender, about 15 minutes.

    5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1½ teaspoons ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon granulated onion, ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • Drain the potatoes and return to the empty, still hot pot. Set the pot over low heat to boil off excess moisture from the potatoes – this should take just about 1 minute.

  • Mash the potatoes, then and add the butter, cream cheese, sour cream, half-and-half, and 1 cup cheese. Stir well. Add half of the bacon and 1 tablespoon chopped chives. Stir well. Taste and, if needed, season with additional kosher salt and black pepper.

    ½ cup unsalted butter, 4 ounces cream cheese, 1½ cups half-and-half or heavy cream, 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, 1 pound crumbled cooked bacon, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, 1 cup sour cream

  • Spread the mashed potatoes into the prepared baking dish.

  • At this point, the potatoes can be cooked immediately or refrigerated up to 2 days.

If baking immediately…

  • …adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until heated through. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese and bake just until the cheese melts. Remove from the oven and top with reserved bacon and chives. Serve.

If making ahead…

  • …cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking.

  • When ready to cook, adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the plastic wrap and cover tightly with foil.

  • Bake 30 minutes at 350°F, then remove the foil. Continue baking for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. Add the reserved shredded cheese and cook just until the cheese melts. Remove from oven and top with reserved bacon and chives. Serve and enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • Boil the potatoes until they are fork tender and boil off any excess moisture.
  • Use starchy potatoes like Yukon Gold or Russet for the best mashed potatoes.
  • If making ahead of time, let the potatoes cool completely before storing.

Storage:Store loaded mashed potato casserole covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 668kcal (33%) Carbohydrates: 45g (15%) Protein: 29g (58%) Fat: 42g (65%) Saturated Fat: 21g (131%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 13g Trans Fat: 0.4g Cholesterol: 120mg (40%) Sodium: 1732mg (75%) Potassium: 1319mg (38%) Fiber: 5g (21%) Sugar: 5g (6%) Vitamin A: 837IU (17%) Vitamin C: 46mg (56%) Calcium: 300mg (30%) Iron: 2mg (11%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

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More Loaded Potato Recipes We Love

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  • Loaded Baked Potato Soup
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Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

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.

How many mashed potatoes for 13 people? ›

Plan on 1/3 to 1/2 pound potatoes per person for your feast.

How to make chef quality mashed potatoes? ›

Directions
  1. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil. ...
  2. Drain potatoes, then return to the pot. Turn heat to high and allow potatoes to dry for about 30 seconds. ...
  3. Mash potatoes with a potato masher twice around the pot, then add milk and butter. Continue to mash until smooth and fluffy.
Aug 16, 2022

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 is the liquid in Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes? ›

Let Bob Evans provide the balance, in your balanced meal. Made with fresh real potatoes, butter, and milk, Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes tastes like homemade.

What is in loaded mashed potatoes 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 loaded potatoes from Black Bear Diner? ›

Any choice of potato topped with cheddar cheese and diced bacon.

How many people does a 9x13 pan of mashed potatoes feed? ›

Starchy side dishes and casseroles: a 9 X 13 pan makes about 12 one cup servings. A 2 quart casserole will make 6 to 8 cups. A typical serving size for potatoes, stuffing, and yams is 1 cup. However, if you are having more than four sides most people will only eat 1/2 cup.

How many people does a 5 lb bag of mashed potatoes feed? ›

How many pounds of potatoes per person for mashed potatoes? A 5-pound bag of potatoes makes 10 to 12 servings of mashed potatoes.

How many people will 5lbs of mashed potatoes feed? ›

Serving Size: 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. To freeze leftover mashed potatoes, allow them to cool then place them in a freezer-safe bag.

Why do restaurant mashed potatoes taste better? ›

Instead of regular milk, pro chefs generally use a generous helping of buttermilk and plenty of half-and-half or (even better) heavy cream in their potatoes. If you think the bartenders up front are pouring heavy, they've got nothing on the cooks in the back who are in charge of the mashed potatoes.

What adds flavor to mashed potatoes? ›

Garnish With Herbs

Speaking of delicious green things, both woody herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme, and leafy herbs like dill can add freshness to this starchy side. A herb-based sauce like pesto swirled into mashed potatoes is another way to add vibrant flavor.

Why add baking soda to mashed potatoes? ›

Just a pinch of baking soda is all you need to create mashed potatoes as soft as clouds. When you add baking soda, it reacts with the heat of the dish and the acid in the milk or cream to create small air pockets throughout the mash. These air bubbles translate to light and airy bites. Yum!

Why add butter before milk in mashed potatoes? ›

Easy enough, right? However, using the same quantity of milk and butter, but heating them separately and adding the melted butter first to the mashed potatoes, you end up with a butterier tasting potato dish. The fat absorbs into the cells of the potato, which have swelled and pulled apart from one another.

How long to soak potatoes in water before making mashed potatoes? ›

Soak the potatoes in water for at least 4 hours, up to overnight. This step is crucial to really get all of the excess starch off. Fill a large pot with water, rinse off the potatoes one last time and add them to the cold water. Salt the water, place the pot on the stove and turn on the heat.

Is milk or water better for mashed potatoes? ›

Potatoes are like pasta, in that they leach starches into their cooking liquid. In the case of pasta, you want to reserve some of that liquid to give sauce a luscious shine and bind it to the noodles.

Why do you soak potatoes in water for mashed potatoes? ›

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

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