Creamy Mashed Potato Casserole with Cheddar, Bacon, and Chives Recipe
This Mashed Potato Casserole is a creamy, cheesy dish combining tender Idaho potatoes with cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, topped with crispy bacon and fresh chives. Perfect as a comforting side dish for gatherings or hearty family meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Potato Mixture
- 5 lbs Idaho potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup milk
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 4 tbsp butter, room temperature
- 12 oz sour cream
- 2 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ cup chives, chopped
Topping
- 16 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and cube the Idaho potatoes into evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook uniformly.
- Boil the Potatoes: Place the cubed potatoes into a large pot of salted water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes.
- Drain and Mash: Drain the potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Begin mashing with a potato masher or electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add Creamy Ingredients: Add cream cheese, sour cream, butter, and milk to the mashed potatoes. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Season the Mixture: Stir in kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chopped chives, adjusting seasoning to taste.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the mashed potato mixture into a greased casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, followed by the cooked and chopped bacon pieces.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the casserole uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let it set and enhance the flavors. Garnish with additional chopped chives if desired.
Notes
- Use Idaho potatoes for their creamy texture and excellent mashing consistency.
- Cook bacon until crispy for the best texture contrast in the casserole.
- For a richer flavor, substitute whole milk with half-and-half or heavy cream.
- Can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated; bake just before serving.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and consider adding sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions.
Keywords: mashed potato casserole, cheesy potatoes, creamy potato bake, bacon potato casserole, comfort food side dish