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Loaded Mashed Potatoes in a white bowl with melted cheese, crispy bacon, and sliced green onions.
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Loaded Mashed Potatoes

These creamy mashed potatoes are loaded with bacon, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and green onions! It's an easy side dish idea that goes well with everything!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 628kcal
Author: Stephanie

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 6 strips bacon preferably thick cut
  • 3 ½ lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes see notes
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter at room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups orange cheddar cheese shredded from a block
  • 4 green onions sliced
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Prep Work

  • Cut the bacon into halves or thirds and fry in a large skillet over low heat while you proceed with the following steps below. Once crispy on each side, transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Roughly chop once cooled.
  • Add the sour cream and milk to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set it aside and allow it to come to room temperature. It shouldn't be cold when added to the potatoes.
  • Peel the potatoes and cut into ¾-inch slices. Place in a large pot of cold water.

Cook the Potatoes

  • Slowly bring the potatoes to a gentle boil, do not boil rapidly. This ensures that they cook evenly and prevents them from falling apart. Once a soft boil is reached, add 3 teaspoons salt.
  • Cook for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are very fork tender. Remove from heat and drain well.

Mash and Serve

  • Return to the warm pot and add the butter. Let them sit for 3 minutes to allow most of the steam to escape and for the butter to melt.
  • Add the pepper to the potatoes and start mashing them. (Use a potato masher, not an electric mixer.) Gradually drizzle ¾ of the sour cream/milk mixture while you continue to mash. Don’t over mash or the consistency will become gluey.
  • Stir in a little more than half of the cheese, half of the bacon, and half of the green onions. Add the remaining sour cream/milk only if a slightly creamier texture is desired. Taste and add more salt/pepper if needed.
  • Transfer to a serving dish. Top with the remaining cheese. If desired, microwave for 30 seconds to melt the cheese on top. Top with remaining bacon and green onions and serve!

Notes

Pro Tips:
  • Best Potatoes: 
    • Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal for this recipe because their starch content is perfect for fluffy, creamy results.
    • Russet potatoes are the next best option, or a combination of  both.
    • Red potatoes are waxier and have are more likely to become "gluey" when mashed, but they could be used if needed/preferred.
  • Don't over-mash:
    • Potatoes release starch every time they're handled/mashed. Too much starch leads to a gluey, gummy consistency.
    • A dual-action potato masher works well for this. Avoid any type of electric mixer as they will go from creamy to gluey very quickly.
  • Cheese: Shred the cheese from a block so that it melts and tastes the best. I like to use Cracker Barrel Sharp Yellow cheese.
  • Bacon: I prefer higher quality thick-cut bacon for this recipe. I find that cutting the strips into halves or thirds helps it cook more evenly by allowing you to easily rotate them as they cook. 
  • Chives may be used instead of green onions as well, they're more mild in onion flavor.
  • Serving Suggestions: Steak Bites, Chicken Bites, Pan Fried Pork Chops, Pan Fried Chicken, Filet Mignon, Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Glazed Ham.
Storage:
  • Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • If you plan on freezing leftovers, be extra generous with the half and half and butter. This helps them freeze and reheat well.
Make-Ahead Method:
  • The potatoes can be peeled and submerged in cold water up to 1 day ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.
  • You can also fully prepare this recipe up to 2 days ahead of time, just don't add the remaining cheese/bacon/chives to the top yet. See blog post above for reheating instructions.
Nutritional information is an estimate and is per serving. This recipe makes 6 servings.

Nutrition

Calories: 628kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 1682mg | Potassium: 1296mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1050IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 376mg | Iron: 2mg