Ultimate Creamy Cheesy Potato Casserole (Loaded Baked Potato Style)
You need this ultimate creamy cheesy potato casserole in your dinner rotation. It combines the rich flavor of a loaded baked potato with the ease of a casserole, making it the best potato casserole for any gathering.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Total Time: 55 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus 1 cup for topping
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz) for topping
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for cracker topping)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Place the cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes well.
- Return the drained potatoes to the hot pot. Mash them roughly with a potato masher until mostly smooth but still slightly chunky for texture.
- In a separate bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Fold the sour cream mixture into the mashed potatoes until just combined. Gently stir in the crumbled bacon. Do not overmix.
- Spread the potato mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the crushed buttery crackers with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the potato mixture.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the cracker topping.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the potato casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions.
Notes
- You can make this a make ahead potato casserole by assembling everything up to step 6, covering it, and refrigerating for up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 minutes to the initial baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
- For a gluten free potato casserole variation, substitute the buttery crackers with gluten-free crackers or use crushed cornflakes mixed with butter.
- This recipe makes a hearty potato side dish perfect for potluck side dishes or holiday potato casserole gatherings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 11
- Cholesterol: 65