The Ultimate Twice Baked Potato Casserole Recipe

Looking for the perfect side dish to elevate your next meal? This Twice Baked Potato Casserole recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It captures all the incredible flavor of traditional twice-baked potatoes but in an easier, creamier, and cheesier casserole form. Forget about painstakingly stuffing individual potato skins – this recipe streamlines the process while delivering maximum taste and satisfaction.

Instead of the traditional method of baking and re-baking whole potatoes, this casserole involves combining the creamy potato flesh with a medley of savory seasonings, rich cream, melty cheeses, and crispy bacon. The result is a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave everyone wanting more.

This casserole recipe is essentially a deconstructed version of stuffed potatoes. The best part? It’s much simpler to make, eliminating the hassle of dealing with crispy potato skins. Instead, crispy bacon bits step in to provide that salty, savory crunch that everyone loves. This great recipe is bound to become a family favorite.

Serve this delicious twice-baked potato casserole as a side dish for a simple dinner, bring it to your next potluck, or feature it at a summer BBQ. It’s versatile enough to complement a wide variety of main courses and festive enough to impress your guests.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe!

In just a few straightforward steps, you can whip up the most decadent, cheesy, creamy, and flavorful mashed potatoes you’ve ever tasted. What’s even better is that you likely already have most of the necessary ingredients in your pantry. This makes it an incredibly convenient and easy side dish for any dinner.

Ingredients for the Ultimate Twice Baked Potato Casserole

• Potatoes: Medium russet potatoes are ideal. Wash and dice them into evenly sized pieces for uniform cooking.
• Bacon: Use your preferred brand of bacon. Diced into small pieces and cooked until crispy, it adds a delightful smoky flavor.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is used for the mashed potato filling. It adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy texture.
• Cream: A combination of sour cream and cream cheese is essential. They contribute tanginess, creaminess, and a luxuriously smooth consistency.
• Onion: Chopped green onions (scallions) are a fantastic way to incorporate fresh, subtle onion flavor. Alternatively, fresh chives can also be used.
• Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese is the star of the show. It melts beautifully and provides a bold, cheesy flavor.
• Milk: Whole milk is recommended for this recipe. It adds moisture and contributes to the overall creaminess of the potato mixture.
• Seasoning: A blend of kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried thyme perfectly complements the other ingredients and enhances the overall flavor profile.

Explore more delicious recipes in our Potluck Favorites collection: https://www.example.com/potluck-recipes

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Follow these easy steps to create a perfect twice-baked potato casserole every time.

1. Preheat Oven:
   1. Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃). This ensures that the casserole cooks evenly and the cheese melts beautifully.
2. Prepare Potatoes:
   

   

   1. Peel and dice the potatoes. Add the diced potatoes to a large pot of boiling water and cook until fork tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Properly cooked potatoes are soft enough to be easily pierced with a fork but not mushy. Drain the potatoes thoroughly and set aside.
3. Cook Bacon:
   1. Cook the diced bacon in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through and crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool and absorb any excess grease. Crispy bacon is essential for adding a delightful textural contrast and smoky flavor to the casserole.
4. Make the Potato Mixture:
   

   

   1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked potatoes, sliced butter, sour cream, cream cheese, green onions (reserve some for garnish), crispy bacon (reserve some for garnish), 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, milk, kosher salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Use a potato masher or hand mixer to mix the ingredients well until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
   2. Taste the potato mixture and adjust seasonings as needed. If the mixture seems too dry, add a splash of milk to reach the desired consistency. Add more salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
5. Bake Potatoes:
   

   

   1. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Pour the prepared potato mixture into the greased dish, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
   2. For the last 1-2 minutes of baking, switch the oven to broil to create a golden-brown, crispy top. Watch closely to prevent burning. Remove the casserole from the oven and top with the reserved green onions and crispy bacon. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

By: Julia Pacheco

Twice baked potato casserole — creamy, cheesy potatoes are topped with bacon and even more cheese for a delicious and hearty side dish.

Prep:

20 minutes
mins

Cook:

20 minutes
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Total:

40 minutes
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Servings:
5

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Ingredients

• ▢ 10 medium russet potatoes
• ▢ ½ lb bacon, diced
• ▢ 4 tbsp sliced butter
• ▢ ¾ cup sour cream
• ▢ 4 tbsp cream cheese
• ▢ 5 green onions, chopped
• ▢ 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ▢ ¾ cup milk
• ▢ ½ tsp salt
• ▢ ½ tsp pepper
• ▢ ½ tsp dried thyme

Instructions

Preheat oven:

• Preheat oven to 350 °F

Prepare potatoes:

• Peel and dice the potatoes. Add the potatoes to a large pot of boiling water and boil until fork tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Cook bacon:

• Cook the diced bacon in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through. Move to a paper towel-lined plate to cool and absorb excess grease.

Make potato mixture:

• Add the potatoes, sliced butter, sour cream, cream cheese, green onions (reserve some for garnish), bacon (reserve some for garnish), 1 cup of cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and thyme to a large bowl and mix well with a potato masher or hand mixer.
• Taste and add more milk if too dry, and more salt and pepper as needed.

Bake potatoes:

• Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Pour the potato filling mixture in and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melty.
• Broil for the last 1-2 minutes. Top with the reserved green onions and bacon. Enjoy!

How to store your baked potato casserole

Fridge:For optimal enjoyment, ensure proper storage to maintain freshness. Store leftover potato casserole covered with foil or lid in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Potato Casserole

Choosing the right potatoes

The success of this casserole lies in selecting the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are the classic choice, known for their fluffy texture and ability to absorb flavors. Alternatively, Yukon gold potatoes offer a slightly buttery flavor and creamy consistency, adding a unique twist to the dish. Experiment with both to find your personal preference.

Elevating your casserole with irresistible toppings

Don’t limit yourself to the basics – unleash your creativity with a variety of mouthwatering toppings. These are a few ideas.

• Crispy bacon: Adds a smoky, savory crunch that perfectly complements the creamy potatoes.
• Extra cheese: Because there’s no such thing as too much cheese! A generous layer of shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of your favorites creates a gooey, flavorful crust.
• Green onions: Provide a fresh, subtle onion flavor and a pop of color.
• Parsley: Adds a touch of freshness and visual appeal.
• Sour cream: A dollop of sour cream on top offers a tangy, creamy contrast to the richness of the casserole.
• Seasoned salt: Sprinkle a dash of seasoned salt for an extra layer of flavor.

Transforming your side into a complete meal

Want to make this casserole the star of the show? Easily transform it into a hearty and satisfying dinner by adding protein and vegetables. Incorporate drained canned corn for sweetness and texture, and diced deli ham or cooked chicken for a protein boost. This simple addition turns your side dish into a complete and balanced meal.

A healthier twist: swapping sour cream for Greek yogurt

If you’re looking to lighten up this recipe without sacrificing flavor, consider substituting plain Greek yogurt for sour cream. Greek yogurt offers a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture but with fewer calories and more protein. This simple swap makes the casserole a bit healthier while still delivering a delicious and satisfying experience.

Dinner recipes to complement your casserole

This versatile twice-baked potato casserole pairs perfectly with a variety of main courses. Here are a few delicious dinner recipes to try:

• Seasoned Lemon Chicken Thighs
• Simple Meatloaf
• Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
• Baked Parmesan Panko Chicken

Resources for Easy and Stress-Free Dinners

• Family meal plans
• Tools for the kitchen and more
• The best cookbook for family dinner recipes
• FREE budget meal plan
• Cooking videos to watch

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