• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Ebook!Subscribe to updates & get a recipe book!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

The Chunky Chef

Comforting Family Recipes

  • All Recipes
  • Learn to Cook
  • Shop
    • My eBooks
    • Favorite Products
  • About
  • Contact
  • Trending:

    Slow Cooker

    Easy Dinners

    Desserts

    My Saved Recipe Box
  • Browse By:
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Sides
    • Drinks
    • Desserts
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sandwiches
    • Healthy-ish
  • Ingredient
    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Seafood
    • Meatless
    • Pasta
  • Cuisine
    • Asian
    • Italian
    • Mexican
    • Hawaiian
    • Middle Eastern
    • Comfort Food
  • Method
    • One Pot
    • Crockpot
    • Instant Pot
    • Oven
    • Fried
    • Grilling/BBQ
  • Trending:

    Slow Cooker

    Easy Dinners

    Desserts

Home / Side Dishes

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

4.91
/5
1 hour 10 minutes
43 Comments
Jump to Recipe Print Pin
By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 11/07/2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This must-make side dish is made with irresistibly creamy mashed potatoes, and loaded up with sour cream, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions! It's everything you love about a loaded baked potato, made into a make-ahead friendly casserole to feed a crowd!
This must-make side dish is made with irresistibly creamy mashed potatoes, and loaded up with sour cream, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions! It's everything you love about a loaded baked potato, made into a make-ahead friendly casserole to feed a crowd!
This must-make side dish is made with irresistibly creamy mashed potatoes, and loaded up with sour cream, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions! It's everything you love about a loaded baked potato, made into a make-ahead friendly casserole to feed a crowd!

This must-make side dish is made with irresistibly creamy mashed potatoes, and loaded up with sour cream, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions! It’s everything you love about a loaded baked potato, made into a make-ahead friendly casserole to feed a crowd!

This is one of my Side Dish recipes I know you’ll want to keep on hand!

white bowl of mashed potato casserole topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions
Pin this recipe for later!

Buttery and creamy mashed potatoes… what’s not to love right? There’s almost nothing more comforting!

How how about if you take those mashed potatoes, stir them up with plenty of cheese, bacon, and green onions, then top them with more cheese and bacon and bake them until gooey and decadent?

Yes please!!! This side dish recipe is such a fantastic one for holidays or a big family dinner, since it serves 8-10 people. It can also be halved or doubled easily, so you can make it exactly as you need it!

Plus, this mashed potato bake is perfect for making ahead of time, so you have less going on during dinner.

How to make loaded mashed potato casserole?

This is just an overview; the full ingredients and directions are in the recipe card toward the bottom of this post.

step by step photos of how to make loaded mashed potato casserole
  1. Boil potatoes. There’s no specific amount of water needed, just enough to cover the pot full of potatoes by about 1 inch.
  2. Drain and mash. You only need to get the mashing started, then it’ll get mashed more in the next step.
  3. Add dairy and mash. The dairy will incorporate much easier if they’re at room temperature, or warmed.
  4. Stir in and season. You’ll be stirring in most of the cheese, bacon and green onions.
  5. Add to baking dish. You can grease the pan with butter or nonstick spray.
  6. Top with remaining cheese and bacon.
  7. Bake. After baking, top with the remaining green onions.

Helpful Tip!

When making mashed potatoes, you want to do 3 main things for success.

  1. Cut the potatoes in similar size pieces, so they cook evenly.
  2. Boil until fork tender, but not so tender that they fall apart.
  3. After draining the potatoes, add them back to the same pot you boiled them in. Let them sit for a minute; the hot pot will evaporate any extra water, so you won’t have wet and watery mashed potatoes!
loaded mashed potato casserole in white baking dish

Variations of this recipe

  • Pre-made mashed potatoes – in a pinch, you can use some pre-made mashed potatoes, or leftover mashed potatoes. Just stir in the amount of cheese, bacon, and green onions that are listed, top with the cheese and bacon amounts listed, bake as directed, and top with the green onion amount listed.
  • Garlic – if you want more garlic flavor, feel free to add more cloves of garlic or add a sprinkle of garlic powder when mashing. Conversely, if you don’t want any garlic flavor, you can omit the garlic cloves.
  • Dairy amounts – this recipe uses sour cream, heavy cream, and cream cheese, which is what makes the potatoes so incredibly creamy! But please feel free to play around with the amounts of those ingredients (more sour cream and less cream cheese, etc.). Just don’t add more of something without using less of another dairy, otherwise you’ll have overly wet mashed potatoes.
  • Smaller batch – this makes a full 9×13″ baking dish full of potatoes, so unless you’re feeding a crowd or want to have plenty of leftovers, you may want to make less. You can halve all the ingredients, then bake in an 8×8″ baking dish instead.
  • Add-ins – you can jazz up this mashed potato bake by adding some jalapeños, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, or fried onions (such as French’s brand).
  • Other cheeses – feel free to use your favorite cheese for this recipe! We love a great mild or sharp cheddar, but Colby, Colby jack, Gruyere, Pepper jack, etc are all great options. Mix and match for even more flavor!
scooping out a serving of mashed potato bake

FAQ’s

What are the best potatoes to use for a mashed potato casserole?

Really it all comes down to personal preference, but my favorites are russets or Yukon golds.  In general, they’re starchier, which make for very fluffy and smooth mashed potatoes.  Waxier varieties, like red or white potatoes usually need more mashing to get as creamy, which can sometimes make the mashed potatoes gluey or pasty.

How much mashed potatoes should I plan for each of my guests?

A good rule of thumb is around 1/2 lb of potatoes per person.  So this recipe uses 4 lbs of potatoes and serves approximately 8 people. Of course, only you know how hungry your guests are and how much they love potatoes, so that amount may change a little.

I’ve heard about adding baking powder to mashed potatoes, what does that do?

It may sound odd, but it’s really a thing! Add a chemical leavening agent (in this case baking powder) will cause a chemical reaction in which tiny gas bubbles expand in the potatoes, leaving you with fluffier mashed potatoes! Definitely not necessary, but it’s something you could try.

Making mashed potato casserole ahead of time

Since this can be a time consuming side dish to make all at one time, I recommend making it, or parts of it at least, ahead of time!

Make the mashed potatoes, then stir in the cheese, bacon, and green onions (paying attention to the listed amounts in the recipe that are stirred in, as opposed to being sprinkled on top).

Add to a baking dish, let cool, then cover tightly and refrigerate for 1-2 days.

When ready to serve, let the baking dish sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes or so to take some of the chill off, then bake as directed, adding some additional time (if necessary) since the baking dish may still be cold.

baking dish of mashed potato casserole with a big scoop taken out

Storage

Leftover potatoes should be refrigerated in an airtight container and enjoyed within 4-5 days.

Related Recipes:

wooden spoonful of creamy mashed potatoes
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
bowl of cheesy broccoli rice casserole with fork in it
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Serving of corn casserole in bowl
Easy Corn Casserole
spooning scalloped potatoes out of the baking dish
Classic Scalloped Potatoes
potato masher

My Favorite Potato Masher!

Nothing earth-shattering here; but it does what it’s supposed to, and well. This potato masher is sturdy and heavy duty, as well as being easy to clean!

Get on amazon

This recipe has been on the website since March of 2015, and has been updated in 2022 with new photos, and a few changes to make the recipe even better!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

white bowl of mashed potato casserole topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

4.91 from 11 votes
Author: The Chunky Chef
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Calories: 735
Servings: 8 servings
(hover over # to adjust)
Print Rate Pin
This must-make side dish is made with irresistibly creamy mashed potatoes, and loaded up with sour cream, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions!

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs russet potatoes peeled
  • 4 cloves garlic smashed
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream warmed
  • 2 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
  • 6 green onions chopped (divided)
  • 12 oz pkg bacon cooked and crumbled (divided)

Instructions

Prepare

  • Preheat oven to 375°F and set out a 9×13" (or 3 quart) baking dish. Butter the dish, and set aside.

Boil potatoes and garlic

  • Slice potatoes into 1.5” pieces, then add to a large pot with the smashed garlic cloves.
  • Cover with water by about 1 inch, then bring to a boil.  Boil for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork.

Drain

  • Drain potatoes well, then add back to the same hot pot you cooked them in. Let them sit about a minute (this allows any excess water to evaporate).

Mix

  • Add potatoes to a large mixing bowl.  Mash about halfway with a potato masher (or you can use a potato ricer).
  • Add butter, sour cream, warmed cream, and cream cheese.  Stir and mash until potatoes are smooth and fluffy.  Season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
  • Stir 2 cups of cheddar cheese, half the bacon, and half the green onions into the mashed potatoes. 

Assemble

  • Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.  Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese, and remaining bacon.

Bake

  • Transfer to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and potatoes are hot.

Serve

  • Sprinkle with remaining 3 chopped green onions and serve hot.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

  1. I’ve estimated this recipe serves approximately 8-10 people, but the exact serving size is up to you.

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did You Make This?Tag @the_chunky_chef on Instagram and hashtag it #thechunkychef so I can see what you made!
Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating Save for Later Saved!
Loaded Mashed Potatoes Bake - All the flavors of your favorite loaded mashed potatoes, baked to creamy perfection.  The perfect side dish for the whole family to enjoy!

You May Also Like...

  • Ultra creamy mashed sweet potatoes (made sweet or savory), perfect for the holidays and made with just 3-4 ingredients!  Great to make ahead too! #sweetpotato #mashed #sweetpotatoes #thanksgiving #holiday #sidedish #easyrecipe #makeahead
    Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Horseradish Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions | Not your average side dish, these mashed potatoes are full of amazing flavor combinations. Perfect for your holiday table! | http://thechunkychef.com
    Horseradish Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
  • Creamy and rich, these mashed potatoes are heavy on the flavor and light on the work... with no boiling!  Truly the BEST way to make homestyle mashed potatoes for a weeknight dinner or holiday meal! #thanksgiving #sidedish #mashedpotatoes #potatoes #crockpot #slowcooker #noboil
    Homestyle Crockpot (No-Boil) Mashed Potatoes
  • Ultra creamy mashed sweet potatoes (made sweet or savory), perfect for the holidays and made with just 3-4 ingredients!  Great to make ahead too! #sweetpotato #mashed #sweetpotatoes #thanksgiving #holiday #sidedish #easyrecipe #makeahead
    Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Previous Post
Next Post

Meet The Chunky Chef

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

Learn More

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question, comment, or review below.

Recipe Rating




  1. Stacy says

    Posted on 11/12 at 3:35 pm

    Very yummy. Boyfriend had some teeth pulled, so cant eat anything solid right now. These were delicious! I followed the recipe exactly.

    Reply
  2. Tisha says

    Posted on 11/9 at 4:42 pm

    These are such a crowd pleaser

    Reply
  3. Beti says

    Posted on 11/9 at 9:59 am

    Such a fantastic side dish! So comforting and delicious!

    Reply
  4. katerina says

    Posted on 11/9 at 9:58 am

    This looks and sounds AMAZING! I am so excited to try it! YUM!

    Reply
  5. Erin says

    Posted on 11/9 at 12:40 am

    Looks absolutely delicious! That is definitely a must make!

    Reply
  6. Sandra says

    Posted on 11/8 at 9:45 pm

    Love this mashed potato! The bacon really added a lot of flavor to it! So good!

    Reply
  7. Erik says

    Posted on 11/8 at 5:56 pm

    Such a comforting side. Perfect for a future get together!

    Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

welcome!

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

New! Save Recipes To Your Own Account!

Free eBook!

Subscribe & receive my most popular recipes compiled into an easy ebook format!

download now!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

Game Day Recipes!

These crowd-pleasing tender meatballs are smothered in a super flavorful honey garlic bbq sauce.  Perfect for parties, this crockpot meatball recipe couldn't be more simple to make! #meatballs #crockpot #slowcooker #honeygarlic #bbq #appetizer #party #honey #garlic #easyrecipe

Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs

2 hours 5 minutes

Smooth and silky queso dip, made using NO velveeta!  Packed with flavor, yet so easy to make, and party ready in just 20 minutes! #queso #dip #cheese #mexican #appetizer #party #cincodemayo #easyrecipe

Queso Dip Recipe

20 minutes

Creamy, cheesy, and oh so addicting, this bacon cheeseburger dip is just like your favorite gooey cheeseburger... but in a party-ready dip form! #bacon #gameday #cheesy #cheeseburger #party #appetizer #dip #easyrecipe

Creamy Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

32 minutes

Insanely tasty chicken wing recipe, dry rubbed, then hickory smoked to perfection.  And don't forget the homemade bourbon bbq sauce! #chickenwings #wingrecipe #smoked #smoker #smokedchickenwings #bourbon #bbq #crispy

Bourbon BBQ Smoked Chicken Wings

3 hours

This easy game day appetizer combines classic buffalo wing flavors with cool creaminess in an easy dip made in the crockpot. Perfect for any party, serve it up with chips or celery sticks and watch everyone go back for seconds!

Buffalo Chicken Dip (Crockpot Recipe)

2 hours 10 minutes

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels | These pinwheels are filled with a creamy chicken taco filling, which is easily customizable, and rolled up to make a perfect appetizer or party food! | http://thechunkychef.com

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels

15 minutes

More Holiday Recipes >

Who doesn’t love free stuff?

Who doesn't love free stuff? Get an ad-free ebook of my most popular recipes, plus be the FIRST to know about new things coming to the site!

Looking for something?

As Seen On…

Stay Connected

subscribe to get new posts via email:

Quick & Easy

Dinner Favorites

Hearty and positively soul-warming, this beef barley soup simmers all day in the slow cooker, which makes for an incredibly rich soup recipe! #beefbarley #soup #slowcooker #crockpot #comfortfood #barley #beefsoup #easyrecipe #dinner
M

Crockpot Beef Barley Soup

white bowl of chicken and dumplings
T

Instant Pot Chicken & Dumplings

HONEY GARLIC SALMON - Succulent and tender salmon filets cooked in a mouthwatering simple honey garlic sauce, then broiled until sticky and caramelized.  Made with simple ingredients, in one pan, and in just 20 minutes! #salmon #honeygarlic #onepan #easyrecipe #dinner #seafood #fish
W

Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

Light and filling, this Italian Wedding Soup is perfectly delicious comfort food, all year round.  Made in one pan, and ready in 30 minutes, this recipe is great for a weeknight meal! #soup #souprecipe #Italianweddingsoup #onepot #30minutemeal #weeknight #dinner #easyrecipe #homemaderecipe
R

Italian Wedding Soup

This Honey Garlic Chicken is one incredible weeknight dinner idea. Juicy chicken coated and cooked with a glorious sauce made with soy, hoisin, garlic, honey and more! Toss it all in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you! #dinner #chicken #asian #honey #garlic #honeygarlic #easyrecipe #weeknight #slowcooker #crockpot
F

Honey Garlic Chicken

S

Swedish Meatballs

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window
free e-book!

Download MY Free Recipe eBook!

Subscribe & receive my most popular recipes compiled into an easy ebook format!

get my copy!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

As Featured On:

Back to Top

Recipes

Dinners

Appetizers

Desserts

Slow Cooker

Learn to Cook

Start Here

Tips & Tricks

e-Cookbook

Easy Recipes

  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy
  • Contact
© 2023 The Chunky Chef
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top