I’m so happy to share my Loaded Baked Potato Casserole recipe with you! This dish is creamy, cheesy, and packed with all the cozy flavors of a loaded baked potato. You get tender potato chunks mixed with sour cream, cream cheese, bacon, and melted cheddar. It’s warm, comforting, and perfect for feeding a hungry family or bringing to a holiday meal.
Level: Easy
Total Time: about 1 hour
Prep Time: about 30 minutes
Cook Time: about 30 minutes
Yield: about 12 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
I still remember the first time I made a loaded potato casserole at home, it smelled so rich and cheesy right out of the oven. It felt like the best kind of comfort food, simple but so satisfying.
This recipe takes all the flavors you love in a baked potato and turns them into a creamy casserole. The potatoes are boiled until tender, then gently mixed with butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and seasoning.
I love serving this with grilled chicken, holiday dinners, or potluck meals. It’s always a crowd favorite because it’s warm, filling, and topped with extra cheese and bacon.
How to Make Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
This casserole is like a big, cozy baked potato bowl baked in the oven. Here’s how it all comes together:
• Boil potato chunks until soft and tender
• Fold them gently with butter, cream cheese, and sour cream
• Add milk to make everything extra creamy
• Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper
• Stir in cheddar cheese and crispy bacon
• Bake until hot, bubbly, and melted on top
• Finish with fresh green onions for a little crunch
It is an easy side dish with big flavor and very simple steps.
Ingredients
• 6 large russet potatoes (about 5 pounds), peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk (any kind works)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups cooked and crumbled bacon
• 1/4 cup diced green onions
Directions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Heat your oven to 375°F.
- Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare the Potatoes:
- Wash, peel, and dice the potatoes into bigger chunks for that baked potato texture.
- Place them in a large pot.
- Boil Until Tender:
- Cover the potatoes with water.
- Boil for about 15 to 20 minutes, until they are fork tender.
- Drain and Return to Pot:
- Drain the potatoes well.
- Gently place them back into the empty pot.
- Add the Creamy Mix:
- Carefully fold in the butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and milk.
- Stir gently so you do not mash the potatoes.
- Season and Add Mix-Ins:
- Sprinkle in garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Gently mix in 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese and about 1 cup of bacon.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Scoop the potato mixture into your prepared baking dish.
- Spread it out evenly.
- Top and Bake:
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon on top.
- Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until melted and bubbly.
- Finish and Serve:
- Remove from the oven and top with diced green onions.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Process Details
• Boiling the Potatoes: Cooking them until tender makes the casserole soft and comforting.
• Big Potato Chunks: Larger pieces give you that real baked potato texture.
• Gentle Mixing: Folding instead of mashing keeps the casserole chunky, not like mashed potatoes.
• Creamy Ingredients: Cream cheese and sour cream make the filling rich and smooth.
• Cheese and Bacon: These add the classic loaded potato flavor everyone loves.
• Baking at the End: The oven melts everything together and makes the top bubbly and golden.
Tips for Success
• Cut your potatoes into bigger chunks so they feel like baked potatoes.
• Mix gently so you keep some potato pieces whole.
• Use unsalted butter, then add salt slowly to taste.
• Save time by using store-bought pre-cooked bacon pieces if needed.
• Shred your own cheddar for the best melting texture.
• You can adjust the seasoning to match your family’s taste.
Serving Ideas
• Weeknight Side Dish: Serve with grilled chicken, pork chops, or steak.
• Holiday Favorite: Perfect next to ham or turkey dinner.
• Potluck Dish: Bring it to gatherings, it always disappears fast.
• Extra Toppings: Add more green onions or even a little extra cheese.
• Comfort Plate: Pair with a simple green salad for balance.
Storage & Freezing
• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.
• Reheating: Warm in the oven or microwave, add a splash of milk if it looks dry.
• Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole, cool it, cover, and keep in the fridge for up to 1 day before baking.
• Freezing: Freeze unbaked casserole for up to 3 months, wrapped tightly.
• Baking After Freezing: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.
Nutrition Info (Approximate per Serving)
• Calories: ~334
• Protein: ~10g
• Carbohydrates: ~35g
• Fat: ~18g
• Fiber: ~2g
• Sodium: ~195mg
• Sugar: ~2g
My Loaded Baked Potato Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and packed with comforting baked potato flavors. With tender potato chunks, melty cheddar, crispy bacon, and a rich creamy base, it is the perfect side dish for almost any meal.
I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) this casserole as much as I do. Once you try it, it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to potato dishes for family dinners, holidays, and potlucks.