Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Name: Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 7 to 8 cups mashed potatoes; ½ cup heavy cream; 2 to 4 tablespoons butter (softened or melted); ½ cup sour cream; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste); ½ teaspoon black pepper; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided); ½ cup crumbled cooked bacon; ¼ cup finely cut green onion (for garnish)

Recipe Save

For a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, try The Best Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Ever! It is an easy make-ahead dish full of creamy mashed potatoes, sour cream, ooey-gooey cheese, yummy bacon, and fresh chives. Take your side dish game up a notch with this no-fuss casserole.

My loaded mashed potato casserole recipe is all the flavors of a fully-loaded baked potato in a convenient casserole dish, making it the perfect dish to take to any gathering. Try it with my Southern Fried Pork Chops and Southern Style Lima Beans for a truly southern meal, y'all.

Casserole dish filled with baked loaded mashed potatoes topped with melted cheese, bacon and chives.

The holidays can get pretty hectic in the kitchen, I will admit. Especially if you are hosting- which I usually like to do. So, any dish I can make ahead, place in the fridge, and place in the oven on the day of is a winner in my recipe box. And, this Easy Mashed Potato Casserole Dish does not disappoint!

Why you’ll love this recipe!

Simple: It is so easy to make with simple ingredients!
Great Make Ahead Dish: This savory side dish can be made a couple of days ahead. Then just pop it in the oven and serve piping hot!
Perfect for a Crowd: Feeds 8 to 10 people and is easily handles in a convenient caserole dish.
Scale Down: Cut in half for a smaller gathering or a smaller family meal.

What's not to love? This delicious easy potato casserole side dish is creamy, fluffy, buttery, savory, and more! Topped with chives cheese and bacon- need I say more? (After all, I did mention BACON!)

Ingredients

Mashed Potatoes: Use leftovers, 2 packages from the refrigerated section of the grocery store, or make homemade.
Heavy Cream: This makes the potatoes extra creamy and delicious. They become smooth and silky. Ultimate YUM!
Butter: Softened or melted will work when mixing in. Butter adds creamy texture and flavor.
Garlic and onion powder: These seasonings are subtle flavor components in this casserole. Double them if you want either one to shine.
Salt and pepper: Add this to your liking. They are the perfect complement to potatoes.
Crumbled cooked bacon: Nice crispy bacon puts loaded potatoes over the top.
Chives (green onions): This is for garnishing. It adds color and flavor to the dish.

For a quick and easy shortcut loaded potato casserole, this recipe is a favorite anytime I make it. You'll be amazed at how beautifully decadent it looks when added to any serving buffet. And there probably won't be any leftovers at all!

How to Make Loaded Mashed Potatoes Casserole

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and instructions!

Step 1 | Prepare the Pan and Potatoes

Begin with a preheated oven and prepare your 13 x 9 dish.

If making homemade mashed potatoes, boil washed, peeled, and cubed potatoes in water. You can also use Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Step 2 | Loading the Mashed Potato Mix

Mix the mashed potatoes with heavy cream, sour cream, butter, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper, and one cup of shredded cheese.

Two image collage showing mixing bowl with ingredients and then after mixed.

Step 3 | Ready for the Oven

Pour the potatoes into a casserole dish, smooth, and top with remaining cheese and bacon. Bake for 20 minutes covered and 10 to 15 minutes uncovered.

Two image collage showing mashed potato mixture spread in casserole dish and then topped with cheese and bacon ready for the oven.

Step 4 | Garnish and Serve

Finally, remove from the oven, top with green onions, and serve!

Overhead image of loaded mashed potato casserole after being baked.

Tips

Garlic and Onion add mild flavor, for more garlic double the amount.
Use whatever potatoes you like. You can buy refrigerated pre-made mashed potatoes, leftovers, or make them homemade.
To spice this dish up, you can add some yummy jalapenos to the garnish!

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole is easily adapted to any meal that is being served. For a traditional baked ham dinner, keep to the recipe here. For a Mexican twist, add jalapenos and a Mexican Fruit Salad on the side. Want an all-in-one dish? Top the easy casserole with pulled pork and a touch of BBQ sauce! YUM!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best potatoes to use?

Yukon Gold or Russet is the potato I recommend. The starch in these mixes up so fluffy, whereas red potatoes are waxier, but will work if that is what you have on hand.

How many people with this feed?

The recipe on its own feeds 8 to 10. But if you have several starchy side dishes on the table, it can feed even more. Served with corn casserole and dinner rolls, the recipe stretches much further. And you can easily double and even triple the recipe!

Single Recipe: 8 - 10 people
Double: 20-25 people
Triple: 30-40

Is this a dish I can serve to my Gluten-Free relatives?

Why yes, it is. When choosing the correct brand of ingredients, this can be a gluten-free side dish for them. All you need to do is use sour cream and bacon pieces that are GF, be sure the spices are all GF, and shred the cheese from a block.

A plate full of creamy loaded mashed potatoes on a wooden table with pepper shaker in the background.

Variations and Substitutions:

Add taco seasoning to the mix and top with jalapenos or green chiles for a Mexican twist.
Out of heavy cream, that is alright. You can use whole milk instead.
For a bold taste, you can add blue cheese to the cheddar and serve with wings!
You can use fresh minced garlic and cream cheese in the mixture for a delicious combination.
Don't like green onions or have if you don't have them on hand, substitute parsley or chives (fresh or dried will work).

Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating Instructions:

Make Ahead:

The loaded mashed potato casserole can be made up to 2 days ahead of time.

Make and spread into a baking dish.
Cover with plastic wrap and foil and place in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Remove from the refridgerator about 30 minutes before baking. Then remove plastic wrap, cover with foil and bake as directed. Depending on how cold it is when it goes in the oven you may need a few extra minutes of cook time.

Storage:

Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Freeze:

For casseroles, Completely cool and then I recommend covering with plastic wrap first, then foil. Then it can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months.

If frozen, thaw completely in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the microwave, or remove plastic wrap and then cover with foil and heat in the oven at 350 degrees until warmed through.

Reheat:

To reheat individual servings, place desired amount on a microwave-safe dish and reheat. Start with 1 minute and stir. Then add 30-second intervals until heated to your liking.

A casserole filled with mashed potatoes loaded with cheese and bacon.

What to serve with Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

This easy potato casserole is the best side dish for any meal. Want another green? You can serve them with Southern Green Beans. For the holiday table, you can't go wrong serving them on the side of a platter of Coke and Jelly Ham, and Black Eyed Peas.

More Delicious Side Dish Recipes:

Hungry for more easy, home-cooked, delicious recipes?

Sign up for my free recipe club to get family-friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Why you’ll love this recipe!

Ingredients