Description
Creamy mashed potato casserole brings comfort and warmth to family dinners with its rich layers of cheesy goodness. Crispy bacon and green onion garnish elevate this classic side dish, promising a delightful experience you will savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kg) russet potatoes
- 1 cup (240 ml) cheddar cheese, shredded
Dairy Ingredients:
- 7 tablespoons (105 ml) butter
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) sour cream
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Liquid Ingredient:
- Water (to cover potatoes)
Instructions
- Prepare russet potatoes by peeling and cutting into uniform chunks for even cooking.
- Submerge potato pieces in a pot of water and boil until fork-tender, ensuring soft and easily mashed texture.
- Thoroughly drain potatoes and transfer to a large mixing bowl for mashing.
- Incorporate butter, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, and salt into the potatoes, whipping until a creamy, smooth consistency is achieved.
- Gently fold shredded cheddar cheese throughout the mashed potato mixture, distributing evenly.
- Grease a casserole dish and carefully spread the cheesy potato mixture into an even layer.
- In a separate skillet, melt butter and toast panko breadcrumbs until they reach a golden, crispy appearance.
- Artfully distribute toasted breadcrumbs across the potato surface.
- Sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese over the breadcrumb layer.
- Garnish with crispy bacon bits and freshly chopped chives for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Place casserole in a preheated oven at 375°F and bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for melted cheese and a perfectly crisp topping.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool briefly before serving to let flavors meld and topping set.
Notes
- Select russet potatoes for their starchy texture, ensuring creamy and fluffy mashed potatoes with fewer lumps.
- Use room temperature ingredients like butter and sour cream to blend smoothly and create a consistent texture.
- Toast panko breadcrumbs carefully to prevent burning, which can make the topping bitter and unpleasant.
- Make this dish vegetarian by omitting bacon and using plant-based cheese alternatives for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 276
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 404 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 32 mg