This may contain: a casserole dish with meat and cheese in it on a wooden counter top

Quick Description

This Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and topped with crispy bacon and buttery crumbs. It’s everything you love about loaded baked potatoes — mashed, baked, and served family-style in one easy dish. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday dinners, or whenever you’re craving the ultimate comfort food side.

Servings & Timing

  • Servings: 8–10
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45–50 minutes

Ingredients List

For the Potatoes

  • 3 lbs russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • ½ cup milk (warm)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves roasted garlic)
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste

Mix-Ins

  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
  • ½ cup cooked bacon, chopped (divided)
  • 2 green onions, sliced (optional, for freshness)

Topping

  • 1 cup Ritz cracker crumbs (or panko breadcrumbs)
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • Remaining bacon & cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook Potatoes
    • Place peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Boil until fork-tender (about 15 minutes). Drain well.
  2. Mash & Mix
    • Mash potatoes until smooth. Stir in sour cream, cream cheese, melted butter, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until creamy.
  3. Add Cheese & Bacon
    • Fold in 1 cup cheddar cheese and half the cooked bacon. Adjust seasoning.
  4. Assemble
    • Spread mashed potatoes evenly into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish (or foil pan like in the picture). Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese.
  5. Make Topping
    • Mix Ritz cracker crumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly on top. Add remaining bacon.
  6. Bake
    • Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
  7. Serve
    • Garnish with sliced green onions and serve warm.

Additional Notes

  • You can prep this casserole a day ahead, refrigerate, then bake before serving.
  • For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream.
  • If you like a bit of heat, stir in chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Dietary Info

  • High-Protein (with bacon & cheese) ✅
  • Gluten-Free (use GF breadcrumbs instead of Ritz) ✅
  • Vegetarian (omit bacon, use veggie toppings) ✅

Variations & Serving Ideas

  1. Fully Loaded: Add chopped chives, extra cheese, and sour cream drizzle on top.
  2. Tex-Mex Twist: Mix in taco seasoning and top with jalapeños.
  3. Broccoli Cheddar: Stir in steamed broccoli florets before baking.
  4. Lightened-Up Version: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and light cheese.
  5. Buffalo Style: Stir in buffalo sauce and top with blue cheese crumbles.

Storage & Make-Ahead

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
  • Freeze: Freeze portions up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, then reheat covered in oven.
  • Reheat: Bake covered at 325°F until warmed through, or microwave individual servings.