Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole (2025)

Published: Jun 4, 2024 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 6 Comments

This is by far the BEST Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole! Creamy mashed potatoes combine with sour cream, butter, and cheese to make the base of the dish. Next, we add crispy fried onions, smoky bacon, and tangy Ranch dressing to take it over the top! It's the perfect potato casserole for holidays, lazy weekends, or any time you need an easy, yet delicious potato side dish.

Potatoes are one of my favorite things to eat in this world and I wish I could eat them every day, in one form or another! Although that is extremely unrealistic, I can dream, can't I?

That being said, this is my favorite mashed potato casserole in the world! I use this recipe all the time and have for years. It uses a secret ingredient to add flavor -- sour cream dips! From French onion dip to jalapeno cheddar dip the possibilities are an endless number of flavor combinations.

Even better this mashed potato casserole goes with a whole range of main dishes including my hamburger steak with onion gravy or your holiday turkey dinner.

If you love potato casseroles you've got to try this spicy potato casserole and cheesy potato casserole next!

Why You Will Love This Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe

• Versatile Recipe: The truth is you can put in as much or as little of anything and everything until the mashed potatoes taste the way you love. Remember to taste as you go.
• Family Favorite: This loaded potato casserole is a popular dish for holidays, weeknight dinners, and so much more. Everyone loves it!
• Perfect to Make Ahead: Make it in advance to get ahead on your holiday cooking or to make dinnertime easier.

Ingredients

Here's a look at what you need to make cheesy mashed potato casserole.

• Russet potatoes: My favorite potato for making creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes. You can also use another type of all-purpose potato such as Yukon gold potatoes. Don't waste your peels! You can make some crispy potato skin chips with them instead.
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor.
• Milk: Combines with the butter to create a flavorful potato dish but also thins the potatoes out making them creamy and delicious.
• Sour cream or sour cream-based dip: Added to make the potatoes even creamier and richer. You can stick with sour cream or use your favorite dip with sour cream to add flavor!
• Cheese: I prefer a combination of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses but you can use any combination of cheese that melts well.
• Seasoning: Garlic salt and pepper are all that's needed to enhance the flavor.
• Loaded potato options: Choose from green onions, ranch seasoning, and bacon, and crispy fried onions!

See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact quantities of each ingredient.

Variations

• Spicy: Stir in some diced jalapeno or canned green chilies to your mashed potatoes. Top with a Mexican cheese blend or some pepper jack cheese.
• Broccoli Cheese Potatoes: Stir in some cooked chopped broccoli into the potatoes before adding them to the casserole.
• Cream Cheese: Swap the sour cream for cream cheese for creamier and tangier mashed potatoes.

How to Make Mashed Potato Casserole

Ready to get started? Here's a look at the easy method for making this potato dish.

Step 1: Boil your peeled and chopped potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until soft.

Step 2: Mash the potatoes in a large bowl. Add the butter butter, milk, sour cream, ranch, cheese, garlic salt, and pepper.

See Also

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Step 3: Transfer the mashed potatoes to a prepared casserole dish. Top with cheese and bacon or crispy onions.

Step 4: Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown. Top with chives and any other extras preferred.

⭐️ Hint: Taste your potatoes after mixing and before you add them to the casserole dish to ensure they're perfectly seasoned.

If you love potato recipes you may also enjoy this Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes.

Storage

• Storing: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store for up to four days in the fridge or up to three months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
• Reheat: Use the microwave to heat individual servings quickly and easily. You can also return the potatoes to a casserole dish, cover with foil, and bake in a 350°F oven for 12-15 minutes until heated through. Top with more toppings and cheese if desired.
• Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes: Prep the entire dish except for the toppings. Wrap it well and store it in the fridge for up to two days. Allow the casserole to sit at room temperature before baking. Add the toppings and bake for 50 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

• Enjoy these potatoes along with this Dr. Pepper ham, honey mustard glazed ham, or slow cooker turkey breastfor any holiday dinner.
• They make a great weeknight side dish with my flavorfulgarlic chicken thighs,reversed sear chicken breast, or a juicy t-bone steak!
• Complete your meal with thesebalsamic green beans,glazed green beans and carrots, or broccoli crunch salad.

Need more ideas for what to serve with mashed potatoes? Check out this collection of mashed potato side dishes. I'm sure you will find something that is lip-smacking good and will make your family drool when they sit down at the dinner table!

Recipe Tips

• Want a Crispy Top. Broil the casserole for just a few minutes at the end of cooking to brown and crisp the cheese.
• Additional Ingredients. You can stir bacon, chives, or other ingredient mix-ins into the mashed potato mixture OR add them on top!
• Adjust the Quantities: Remember you can add more cheese, less cheese, or really change up any ingredient to make your casserole taste exactly how you love.

Recipe FAQs

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Video

Other Great Potato Recipes

Do you like potatoes? Here some recipes you may also like to try.

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

This post was originally published November 2019. It has been updated with new content and images.