Indulge in Comfort Food Bliss with Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Welcome to my southern loaded mashed potatoes recipe, where creamy mashed potatoes meet savory bacon, fresh green onions and tangy sour cream. This is a dish that has been passed down for generations in my family and I am thrilled to share it with you.
There’s something about mashed potatoes that just makes a meal feel complete. They’re comforting, satisfying and the perfect side dish for almost any meal. But why settle for plain old mashed potatoes when you can have loaded mashed potatoes?
This recipe takes ordinary mashed potatoes to the next level with the addition of crispy bacon, tangy sour cream and fresh green onions. Whether you’re serving this as a side dish for Sunday dinner or as part of your Thanksgiving spread, these loaded mashed potatoes are sure to be a hit.
So grab your apron and let’s get started on making the most delicious and flavorful mashed potato casserole you’ve ever had!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you in the mood for a hearty and comforting side dish that will please any crowd? Look no further than this southern loaded mashed potato recipe.
Let me tell you, folks, these aren’t your average mashed potatoes. We’re talkin’ a creamy and dreamy base of mashed russet potatoes, mixed with sour cream, milk, and cream cheese for extra indulgence. And that’s just the beginning.
To really bring this dish over the top, we’re adding in crispy slices of bacon, sharp green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese. That’s right, it’s loaded up with all your favorite toppings to make every bite burst with flavor.
So why will you love this recipe? Well, for starters it’s easy to make and sure to be a hit at any gathering or weeknight dinner. It’s versatile too – perfect for a casual BBQ or fancy holiday feast. And let’s not forget that it’s budget-friendly, using common ingredients you probably already have on hand.
But most importantly: it’s downright delicious. Creamy, savory, and loaded with texture and flavor in every bite. Trust me when I say this dish will leave everyone coming back for seconds (and maybe even thirds). So what are you waiting for? Give this southern loaded mashed potato recipe a try and see why it’s a crowd favorite.
Ingredient List
Let’s dive into the ingredients that we will need to create the ultimate Southern-style Loaded Mashed Potatoes Recipe. Make sure you have 3 pounds of russet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes (1-2 inch). Additionally, we will be using 4 slices of bacon, fried crispy and crumbled, to give our dish that smoky goodness. We will also need 1 cup of butter, melted, for a rich texture, and a 3/4 cup of sour cream for a tangy burst of flavor. Make sure you have 1/2 cup milk, as well as 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese handy. For the best loaded mashed potatoes experience, we highly recommend filling your pantry with cream cheese (2 cubes, softened) and sliced green onion (cup), giving it that extra freshness.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have the ingredients ready, let’s start making our Southern Loaded Mashed Potatoes. This recipe is quite easy to make and perfect for a family dinner or gathering.
Steps:
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Prepping the Potatoes: First, you need to peel and cut 3 pounds of russet potatoes into cubes about 1 inch in size.
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Boiling the Potatoes: Place the potatoes in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Then, reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for around 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
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Draining the Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and place them in a large mixing bowl.
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Mashing the Potatoes: Mash the potatoes using a potato masher until they are smooth with no lumps.
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Adding Ingredients 1: Add in 2 cubes (1 cup) of unsalted butter, 1 cup of sour cream, 3/4 cup of milk, and salt to taste. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
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Adding Ingredients 2: Next, add in 3 sliced strips of cooked bacon and 1/2 cup of chopped green onions. Mix well again.
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Creamy Loaded Mashed Potatoes: For a creamier texture, add in an additional 4 oz of cream cheese and continue to mash until all ingredients are combined into your desired texture.
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Baking the Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the mashed potato mixture into a greased baking dish and bake for around 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
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Serving and Enjoying: Once out of the oven, let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving hot with your favorite main course.
With these simple steps, you can now enjoy a hearty and comforting dish of Southern Loaded Mashed Potatoes.
Substitutions and Variations
If you’re looking to switch things up a bit with this recipe and make it your own, there are several substitutions and variations that you can try out. Here are a few ideas that you can experiment with:
– Cheese: Adding some cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese to your loaded mashed potatoes can give them an extra burst of flavor. Simply stir in a cup or two of shredded cheese before baking, and you’ll create a decadent cheesy twist on this classic dish.
– Garlic Mashed Potatoes: If you’re a fan of garlic, why not try adding some roasted garlic cloves to your mashed potatoes? You can also add some garlic salt or minced garlic to the water when boiling the potatoes for an extra kick.
– Yukon Gold Potatoes: If you prefer a creamier texture over the fluffiness of Russet potatoes, swapping them out for Yukon gold potatoes is an excellent choice. These potatoes have a buttery taste and slight sweetness that complement the savory ingredients in this recipe perfectly.
– Instant Mashed Potatoes: If you’re short on time or don’t feel like peeling and cutting fresh potatoes, using instant mashed potatoes is another option. Simply follow the instructions on the box and then mix in all of the loaded mashed potato ingredients as usual. It’s a quick and easy way to enjoy this dish without sacrificing flavor.
– Loaded Baked Potato Casserole: Want to take things up a notch? Make this recipe into a loaded baked potato casserole by baking everything together in one dish topped with bacon slices, chives, and more cheese. Who wouldn’t want to sink their teeth into that?
No matter what substitutions or variations you choose, be sure to adjust the cooking times and temperatures accordingly to ensure perfect results every time.
Serving and Pairing
Now that you’ve whipped up the irresistible southern loaded mashed potatoes, it’s time to serve and pair them perfectly! This dish is a classic comfort food, and it pairs well with many other dishes.
You can serve the loaded mashed potatoes as a main course or as a side dish. As a main course, you might consider adding a protein like roasted chicken, beef brisket, or even grilled portobello mushrooms on top. For the sides, consider some veggies like roasted asparagus, green beans or glazed carrots.
If you’re serving them as a side dish, they would work great alongside grilled steak or roasted turkey. You could also serve it with a side salad for some freshness.
If you’re wondering what drinks will complement this dish the best, red wine is an excellent choice. The bold flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot pair excellently with the bacon’s salty flavor and crème fraîche’s tanginess. If you prefer beer, go for stouts and porters as these have bold flavors that stand up to the richness of the potatoes.
In conclusion, Southern Loaded Mashed Potatoes are versatile enough to match with many dishes while maintaining their bold taste. So grab your forks and knives and indulge in a delicious hearty meal!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
If you’re planning to make these loaded mashed potatoes for a big family gathering, you’ll be happy to hear that they can be made ahead of time! Here are some tips for making, storing and reheating these delicious potatoes:
1. Make-Ahead: You can prepare the mashed potatoes up to two days in advance. Once the potatoes are mashed and loaded with all the delicious ingredients, transfer them to an oven-safe casserole dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and store in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, take the dish out of the fridge about 30 minutes before baking.
2. Storing: Leftover loaded mashed potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave until heated through before serving.
3. Reheating: To reheat the mashed potatoes in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Remove the plastic wrap from your casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.
Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave by placing them in a microwave-safe bowl, covering it with a damp paper towel and microwaving it on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
A bonus tip: If you end up with leftovers and want to get creative with how you use them up, try forming them into patties and pan-frying them until crispy for tasty loaded mashed potato cakes!
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that you have all the ingredients ready and the recipe instructions at hand, let me give you a few tips to ensure perfect results for your Southern Loaded Mashed Potatoes recipe.
1. Choose the right type of potatoes
Selecting the appropriate type of potatoes for this recipe is crucial. Russet potatoes are the best choice as they have a high starch content, which makes them perfect for mashing. They also absorb butter and cream cheese easily, resulting in creamy and fluffy mashed potatoes.
2. Don’t overcook the potatoes
Overcooking potatoes can turn them gummy and result in flavorless mashed potatoes. Make sure to follow the recipe’s boiling time and always check on the doneness of your potatoes using a fork or knife. The potatoes should be tender but still hold their shape.
3. Drain excess water
Draining the water from the cooked potatoes is essential for rich, velvety mashed potatoes that aren’t watery or runny. After draining, let them sit in the colander for at least 5 minutes to get rid of any remaining moisture.
4. Avoid cold ingredients
Adding cold ingredients like milk or cream cheese can cool down your hot mashed potatoes, resulting in a lumpy mixture. It’s important to bring all your ingredients to room temperature before mixing them with warm mashed potatoes.
5. Use an electric hand mixer
A hand mixer will make your life easier and ensure that your mashed potatoes are silky smooth and homogeneous. Start mixing slowly to avoid throwing chunks of potato everywhere, then gradually increase speed until everything is fully combined.
6. Be gentle while mixing
Mixing your mashed potatoes too much can result in gluey texture and cloudy appearance due to overworking the starch. So mix gently and no more than necessary.
By following these tips, you’ll achieve perfect results with a delicious creamy potato casserole recipe loaded with bacon taste, green onion flavors, sour cream textures, and butter creaminess.
FAQ
As you prepare to indulge in these incredible Southern Loaded Mashed Potatoes, you may have a few questions that come to mind. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are some common FAQs regarding this recipe that will help you along the way. So, without any further ado, let’s dive into some answers!
What is the secret to the best mashed potatoes?
When it comes to whipping up some creamy mashed potatoes, it’s important to select the right type of potato. Yukon Gold potatoes are the choice of champions for achieving a delectable texture.
Once you’ve selected your potatoes, it’s crucial to cut them into sizeable portions and boil them to perfection. But don’t let them get cold – keep them hot and steamy for the next step.
Adding fat is the key ingredient to taking your mashed potatoes up a notch. But before anything else, infuse your fats with some flavorful aromatics. From there, add your fats to your hot potatoes and mix them well.
As you move along this process, it’s important to constantly taste your mashed potatoes for the perfect balance of flavors. Don’t rush to pour in all of your liquid at once, as that can lead to some undesired results. Take it slow and steady for the best outcome possible.
What is in Outback Steakhouse loaded mashed potatoes?
For this southern-style recipe, we’ll be using russet potatoes, cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic, sour cream, half and half cream, garlic butter, and bacon. These ingredients come together to create a delicious and savory dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting a dinner party, this recipe is sure to impress your guests in no time. So let’s get started!
What does Gordon Ramsay put in his mashed potatoes?
I prefer utilizing young garlic with small cloves for my southern-style potato dish as it has a milder flavor and won’t dominate the dish like mature garlic does. Gently cracking the garlic cloves will allow the cream to absorb the essence. Chives add a subtle taste and have a fine texture that adds to the overall dish.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, Southern loaded mashed potatoes are a crowd-pleaser that will be the star of any meal. With their irresistible creaminess and savory flavor, these mashed potatoes will make your mouth water before you even take a bite.
By following the steps detailed above, you’ll be able to create the dish of your dreams with ease. Whether you’re serving it as a main course or as a side dish, there’s no doubt that everyone at the table will enjoy this recipe.
So go on, grab some potatoes, bacon, green onions, and sour cream and get ready to prepare one of the most delicious loaded mashed potato casseroles you’ve ever tasted. Trust me; you won’t regret it!
Southern Loaded Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 large potatoes
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 (16 ounce) container of daisy sour cream
- 2 1/2 cups Kraft Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 (1/2 ounce) package hidden valley ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup green onion, chopped
- 3/4 cup of crumbled bacon (cooked crispy)
Instructions
- Peel, quarter, boil & drain potatoes.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Mash with potato masher.Mix in 2 cups of cheese while still hot.
- In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, milk, & ranch seasoning. Mix well. Add mixture to potato mixture and blend together with 3/4 cup green onion.
- Pour into casserole dish and top with bacon and remaining green onion & cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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