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There’s nothing like a warm, comforting mashed potato casserole to make any meal extra special. This recipe combines creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes with a savory, golden topping of cheddar, bacon, and crispy panko breadcrumbs, making it the perfect side for family dinners, festive gatherings, and everything in between. The best part? It’s quick, easy, and versatile enough to pair with a variety of main dishes.
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Why You’ll Love This Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe
This mashed potato casserole is a blend of creamy and crispy textures that will wow your guests and leave everyone wanting seconds! Made with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and garlic, it takes your traditional mashed potatoes up a notch. The cheesy and crunchy topping is the ultimate finishing touch for this cozy dish that’s ready in under an hour.
What Does This Mashed Potato Casserole Taste Like?
Imagine smooth and velvety mashed potatoes with a slight tang from sour cream, elevated with savory, melted cheddar cheese, and topped with a crispy mixture of panko breadcrumbs, bacon bits, and chives. Every bite is a perfect balance of creaminess, tang, and a touch of garlic, with the topping adding that ideal bit of crunch.
Benefits of This Recipe
- Simple and Quick: Prepped in 15 minutes, with a hands-off bake time.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe serves 10, so it’s ideal for gatherings.
- Versatile Pairing: Perfect with turkey, roasted meats, or even a fresh salad.
Pair this casserole with our juicy Bacon Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey or these The Best Lion House Dinner Rolls for a complete and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Mashed Potatoes
- 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- Water for boiling
- 7 tablespoons butter, divided (5 tbsp for the potatoes, 1 tbsp for greasing, 1 tbsp for the topping)
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (½ cup for potatoes, ½ cup for topping)
For the Topping
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
- 5 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Tools You’ll Need
- Large pot for boiling potatoes
- Masher or electric mixer for mashing
- 9×13 baking dish
- Mixing bowls for topping ingredients
How to Make the Best Mashed Potato Casserole
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
- In a large pot, boil the peeled and chopped potatoes until they’re tender when pierced with a fork (about 15-20 minutes).
- Drain the potatoes well, then return them to the pot for mashing.
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- Add 5 tablespoons of butter, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, and salt to the potatoes.
- Mash until smooth and creamy, then mix in ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Spread the mashed potatoes evenly in the dish.
4th step : Prepare the Topping
- In a bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, chives, crumbled bacon, and remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese.
Step 5: Bake and Serve
- Sprinkle the topping over the mashed potatoes, then dot with 1 tablespoon of butter for extra richness.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
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Serving Suggestions
Serve this mashed potato casserole with hearty main dishes like Bacon Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey or pair it with light, fluffy Lion House Dinner Rolls. For another take on mashed potatoes, check out our classic Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe.
Tips for Making the Best Mashed Potato Casserole
- Creamy Texture: Don’t skimp on sour cream and butter—they add a luxurious creaminess.
- Choose the Right Potatoes: Russet potatoes work best because they’re fluffy and absorb the flavors well.
- Season to Taste: Taste the mashed potatoes before baking, adding more salt or garlic powder as needed.
- Crispy Topping: For an even crispier top, broil the casserole for an extra minute or two at the end.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. This casserole also freezes well! Simply cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to one month; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Casserole Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can assemble the casserole (without baking) a day in advance, cover it, and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, bake as directed.
Can I Use Other Types of Cheese?
Absolutely! Sharp cheddar brings a wonderful flavor, but feel free to mix in Gruyère or Parmesan for a twist.
What if I Don’t Have Panko Breadcrumbs?
Regular breadcrumbs work well too. You can even crush some crackers for an extra-crispy topping.
Is There a Dairy-Free Version of This Recipe?
Yes! Substitute sour cream and milk with a dairy-free alternative like coconut or almond milk. Use a dairy-free cheese for the topping.
Try These Other Favorite Recipes
Looking for more delicious recipes to complete your meal? Try these popular dishes:
- Bacon Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey – A juicy, flavorful turkey that pairs beautifully with this casserole.
- The Best Lion House Dinner Rolls – Soft, buttery dinner rolls that make any meal feel special.
- Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe – For a more classic mashed potato side that’s just as delicious!
Hungry for more? Follow us on Pinterest for a daily dose of recipe inspiration, tips, and tricks.
Nutrition Information
- Yield: 10 servings
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 347
- Total Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 494mg
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
This mashed potato casserole is the perfect blend of creamy and crunchy, and its versatility makes it ideal for any occasion. Give it a try at your next gathering, and watch how quickly it becomes a favorite! Don’t forget to rate and share your photos with us on Pinterest. We’d love to see how it turned out!
The Best Mashed Potato Casserole
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
Creamy, comforting, and perfectly cheesy, this Mashed Potato Casserole brings together fluffy mashed potatoes with a savory topping of cheddar, crispy bacon, panko breadcrumbs, and chives. Ready in just under an hour, this crowd-pleasing side dish is ideal for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or any occasion that calls for the best of comfort food.
Ingredients
- For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- Water for boiling
- 7 tablespoons butter, divided (5 tbsp for the potatoes, 1 tbsp for greasing, 1 tbsp for topping)
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (½ cup for potatoes, ½ cup for topping)
- For the Topping:
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
- 5 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Boil the Potatoes: Boil peeled and chopped potatoes in a large pot of water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
- Mash the Potatoes: Return the drained potatoes to the pot. Add 5 tablespoons butter, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, and salt. Mash until smooth, then fold in ½ cup shredded cheddar.
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the mashed potatoes evenly in the baking dish.
- Make the Topping: In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, chives, crumbled bacon, and remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese.
- Add the Topping: Sprinkle the topping mixture over the mashed potatoes, dotting with remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy your deliciously comforting mashed potato casserole!
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream and milk with dairy-free alternatives, and use a vegan cheese substitute for the topping.
- You can prepare this casserole a day in advance by assembling it without baking and storing it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, bake as directed.
- For a gluten-free option, replace panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 347kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 494mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
