Indulge in the creamy, flavorful goodness of loaded mashed potatoes. This recipe combines the comfort of mashed potatoes with the savory crunch of bacon and the tangy kick of cheddar cheese, making it a perfect side dish for any meal.
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry items, there might be a couple that you need to pick up from the supermarket. Russet potatoes are ideal for this recipe due to their high starch content which makes for fluffy mashed potatoes. Similarly, cheddar cheese adds a rich and sharp flavor, which is a key characteristic of loaded mashed potatoes.
Ingredients for Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Bacon: Bacon adds a smoky, savory flavor and a delightful crunch to the mashed potatoes.
Russet potatoes: These potatoes have a high starch content and make for the fluffiest mashed potatoes.
Butter: Butter adds a creamy, rich flavor to the potatoes.
Sour cream: The tanginess of sour cream balances the richness of butter and cheese.
Kosher salt: Enhances the flavors of other ingredients.
Black pepper: Provides a slight heat to the dish.
Cheddar cheese: Adds a flavorful edge with its sharp and tangy profile.
Green onions: These add a pop of color and a refreshing crunch to top off the dish.
One reader, Alejandro Boswell says:
These loaded mashed potatoes are a game-changer! The combination of creamy potatoes, crispy bacon, and gooey cheese is simply irresistible. The dish is a hit at every gathering, and the recipe is so easy to follow. It's a definite crowd-pleaser!
Key Techniques for Making Loaded Mashed Potatoes
How to cook bacon: Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
How to mash potatoes: After boiling the potatoes, use a potato masher or a fork to mash them until smooth, then add in the butter and sour cream and continue mashing until well combined.
How to garnish with green onions: Finely chop the green onions and sprinkle them over the loaded mashed potatoes before serving.
How To Make Loaded Mashed Potatoes
For people who love carbs, these loaded mashed potatoes are for you. The creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are smothered with bacon, cheese, pepper, and onions.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 8ozbaconor more to taste
- 3lbsrusset potatoespeeled and cut into 1″ cubes
- 1stickbutter
- 16ozsour cream
- 4tspKosher saltdivided
- ½tspblack peppercoarse ground
- 8ozcheddar cheeseshredded
- ¼cupgreen onionssliced
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
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Put the potatoes into a large pot and cover with water and 2 teaspoons of the salt.
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Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
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Drain the potatoes and put them back into the pot with the butter and sour cream.
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Mash them well and add in the remaining salt and the pepper.
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Scoop the potatoes into a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish and top with the cheese and bacon.
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Cook the potatoes for 5 to 10 minutes covered with foil, or until the cheese is fully melted.
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Garnish with green onions before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 579.85kcal
- Fat: 43.63g
- Saturated Fat: 23.09g
- Trans Fat: 0.83g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 13.18g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.22g
- Carbohydrates: 33.46g
- Fiber: 2.34g
- Sugar: 3.13g
- Protein: 15.40g
- Cholesterol: 107.48mg
- Sodium: 699.80mg
- Calcium: 283.88mg
- Potassium: 881.41mg
- Iron: 1.79mg
- Vitamin A: 275.69µg
- Vitamin C: 10.79mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting Loaded Mashed Potatoes
When mashing your potatoes, ensure you do it while they're still hot. This will make the process easier and result in a smoother texture. Also, adding the butter and sour cream while the potatoes are hot will help them melt and mix in more evenly. For an even creamier texture, you can use a ricer or food mill instead of a traditional potato masher.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Prep ahead: Chop the bacon, shred the cheese, and chop the green onions in advance to save time during the cooking process.
Use a pressure cooker: Cook the potatoes in a pressure cooker to significantly reduce the cooking time, making the mashed potatoes come together much faster.
Keep it simple: Stick to the basic ingredients and flavors to streamline the recipe and save time on preparation and cooking.
Substitute Ingredients For Loaded Mashed Potatoes Recipe
bacon - Substitute with smoked turkey or tempeh bacon: Smoked turkey or tempeh bacon can provide a similar smoky flavor and texture to traditional bacon, while offering a healthier alternative.
russet potatoes - Substitute with Yukon Gold potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes have a similar starchy texture and buttery flavor, making them a great substitute for russet potatoes in mashed potatoes recipes.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used as a healthier alternative to butter, providing a rich and smooth texture to the mashed potatoes.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can be used as a healthier substitute for sour cream, offering a creamy and tangy flavor to the mashed potatoes.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a substitute for kosher salt, providing a similar level of saltiness and flavor enhancement to the mashed potatoes.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper can be used as a substitute for black pepper, offering a milder and less pungent flavor to the mashed potatoes.
cheddar cheese - Substitute with Gouda cheese: Gouda cheese can be used as a substitute for cheddar cheese, providing a creamy and slightly nutty flavor to the mashed potatoes.
green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives can be used as a substitute for green onions, offering a mild onion flavor and a pop of color to the loaded mashed potatoes.
Presentation Tips for Serving Loaded Mashed Potatoes
- Elevate the mashed potatoes: Create a quenelle of the mashed potatoes using two spoons for a refined and elegant presentation.
- Garnish with precision: Use finely chopped chives to delicately garnish the top of the dish, adding a pop of color and freshness.
- Incorporate texture: Add a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits on top of the mashed potatoes to provide a contrast in texture and enhance the overall experience.
- Utilize elegant serveware: Serve the loaded mashed potatoes in individual mini cast iron skillets for a sophisticated and visually appealing presentation.
- Consider portion control: Present the loaded mashed potatoes in small, elegant ramekins to ensure each portion is perfectly portioned and visually appealing.
- Highlight the ingredients: Showcase the ingredients by layering the mashed potatoes, cheese, and bacon in a glass jar, allowing the vibrant colors to shine through.
- Play with height: Create a tower of loaded mashed potatoes by using a ring mold to stack the components, adding visual interest to the dish.
- Add a finishing touch: Drizzle a small amount of truffle oil over the loaded mashed potatoes to impart a luxurious aroma and elevate the flavor profile.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Cutting board: A flat surface used for cutting, slicing, and chopping ingredients.
Chef's knife: A versatile, all-purpose knife used for chopping, slicing, and dicing various ingredients.
Potato masher: A handheld tool used to mash cooked potatoes to the desired consistency.
Large pot: A deep cooking vessel used for boiling or steaming the potatoes.
Colander: A bowl-shaped kitchen tool with perforations used for draining water from the cooked potatoes.
Mixing bowl: A bowl used for mixing and combining the mashed potatoes with other ingredients.
Casserole dish: A deep, oven-safe dish used for baking and serving the loaded mashed potatoes.
Foil: Aluminum foil used to cover the casserole dish while baking the loaded mashed potatoes.
Oven: Used for baking and melting the cheese on the loaded mashed potatoes.
Spatula: A kitchen tool used for spreading and smoothing the mashed potatoes in the casserole dish.
Grater: Used for grating the cheddar cheese to top the loaded mashed potatoes.
Skillet: Used for cooking the bacon until crispy.
Slotted spoon: A spoon with slots or holes used for lifting and draining the cooked bacon from the skillet.
Potato peeler: Used for peeling the skin off the potatoes before boiling.
Measuring cups and spoons: Used for accurately measuring the ingredients such as sour cream, butter, and salt.
Stove: Used for boiling the potatoes and cooking the bacon.
Food processor: Optional tool for mashing the potatoes to a smooth consistency.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Loaded Mashed Potatoes
- To store leftover loaded mashed potatoes, allow them to cool completely to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- When ready to reheat, place the desired amount of potatoes in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat the potatoes in a covered dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the mashed potatoes. Allow them to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat frozen mashed potatoes, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, transfer the potatoes to a microwave-safe dish or a covered dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven and heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a little extra butter, milk, or sour cream to restore the creamy texture after freezing and reheating.
- If you plan to freeze the potatoes, it's best to slightly undercook them initially, as this will help maintain their texture when reheated. Additionally, avoid adding toppings like cheese and bacon before freezing, as these are best added when reheating the potatoes for serving.
How To Reheat Leftover Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Stovetop method: transfer the leftover loaded mashed potatoes to a saucepan and add a splash of milk or cream. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are heated through and creamy. If the potatoes seem too thick, add more milk or cream as needed. This method allows you to easily adjust the consistency of the potatoes and ensures even heating.
Oven method: preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the leftover loaded mashed potatoes to an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to allow the top to brown slightly. This method is ideal if you want to maintain the original texture and consistency of the potatoes.
Microwave method: transfer the leftover loaded mashed potatoes to a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval, until the potatoes are heated through. Be careful not to overheat the potatoes, as they can become dry and grainy. This method is quick and convenient but may result in slightly uneven heating.
Slow cooker method: transfer the leftover loaded mashed potatoes to a slow cooker and add a splash of milk or cream. Cover and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are heated through. This method is ideal if you want to keep the potatoes warm for an extended period, such as during a party or gathering.
Regardless of the reheating method you choose, be sure to taste the loaded mashed potatoes and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add extra butter, salt, pepper, or other seasonings to enhance the flavor. If the potatoes seem dry, add more milk or cream to achieve the desired consistency.
Interesting Trivia About Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Loaded mashed potatoes are a popular comfort food in the United States and are often served as a side dish. They are a versatile dish that can be customized with various toppings such as cheese, bacon, and green onions.
Is Making Loaded Mashed Potatoes at Home Cost-Effective?
This loaded mashed potatoes recipe is quite cost-effective for a household, as it utilizes common ingredients like potatoes, butter, sour cream, and bacon. The addition of cheddar cheese and green onions adds a touch of indulgence without significantly increasing the cost. The overall verdict for this recipe would be an 8, as it offers a satisfying and flavorful side dish. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $15, making it a budget-friendly option for a delicious and hearty meal.
Are Loaded Mashed Potatoes Healthy or Unhealthy?
This loaded mashed potatoes recipe is undoubtedly delicious, but it's far from healthy. The combination of bacon, butter, sour cream, and cheddar cheese makes this dish high in saturated fat and calories. While potatoes themselves are a good source of nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, the added ingredients overshadow their nutritional value. Consuming dishes high in saturated fat regularly can lead to health issues such as obesity, heart disease, and high cholesterol.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of bacon or use turkey bacon instead, which is lower in fat and calories
- Use low-fat or non-fat sour cream to cut down on the saturated fat content
- Opt for a reduced-fat cheddar cheese or use a smaller amount of regular cheddar
- Include the potato skins in the mash for added fiber and nutrients
- Incorporate more green onions or other vegetables like garlic, chives, or roasted garlic to boost flavor without adding extra fat
- Use skim milk or chicken broth instead of butter to achieve a creamy texture with fewer calories
Editor's Opinion on This Loaded Mashed Potatoes Recipe
This loaded mashed potatoes recipe is a delightful twist on a classic side dish. The combination of creamy mashed potatoes, crispy bacon, and gooey cheddar cheese creates a rich and indulgent flavor profile. The addition of green onions adds a pop of freshness and color. However, to elevate the dish further, consider incorporating roasted garlic or caramelized onions for added depth of flavor. Overall, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for special occasions or family gatherings.
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Why trust this Loaded Mashed Potatoes Recipe:
This loaded mashed potatoes recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, featuring bacon for a savory crunch and cheddar cheese for a rich, gooey finish. The combination of sour cream and butter ensures a creamy texture, while the addition of green onions provides a fresh, zesty kick. With the perfect balance of flavors and textures, this recipe promises to elevate your mashed potatoes to a whole new level. Trust in the classic ingredients and simple yet effective cooking method to deliver a dish that will impress even the most discerning palates.
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