Effortless Twice-Baked Potato Casserole Recipe for Cozy Nights

Creamy and comforting, this twice-baked potato casserole brings hearty warmth to any dinner table.

Crispy bacon bits and melted cheese promise a delightful culinary experience.

Potatoes transform into a dreamy, indulgent dish that feels like a cozy hug.

Layers of rich flavors mingle beautifully in every single bite.

Cheese lovers and potato enthusiasts will absolutely adore this crowd-pleasing creation.

Packed with simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up this irresistible casserole in no time.

Prepare to impress everyone at the table with this mouthwatering masterpiece that screams pure comfort.

Why Twice-Baked Potato Casserole Is A Comfort Food Favorite

• Simplify Comfort Cooking: Dive into a hassle-free potato casserole that transforms basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dish with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Customize Your Feast: Swap ingredients like bacon for vegetarian alternatives or experiment with different cheese types to match your taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare this make-ahead wonder that serves a large group, perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or weekend gatherings with minimal last-minute effort.
• Sensory Delight: Experience a harmonious blend of creamy textures, rich cheese, crispy bacon, and aromatic seasonings that create an irresistible comfort food sensation.

What’s In Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

• Potatoes: Starchy base providing creamy texture and hearty flavor for the dish.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth consistency to the mashed potato mixture.
• Sour Cream: Contributes tanginess and creates a velvety, creamy texture.
• Milk: Helps achieve a smooth and spreadable potato consistency.

• Cheddar Cheese, Additional Shredded Cheese: Provides melty, sharp flavor and golden brown topping.
• Bacon: Adds smoky, crispy protein element that enhances overall taste profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Seasonings that elevate and balance the potato's natural flavor.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds color and light onion accent to the finished dish.

How To Make Twice-Baked Potato Casserole At Home

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Wash potatoes thoroughly and poke multiple holes using a fork. Place potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake until completely tender when pierced with a knife.

Step 2: Create Potato Base

Remove potatoes from oven and let cool slightly. Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop potato flesh into a mixing bowl, keeping a thin layer inside the skin for structure.

Step 3: Mix Creamy Potato Filling

• Butter
• Sour cream
• Milk

Mix until the mixture becomes incredibly creamy and well combined.

Step 4: Season the Potato Mixture

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Stir until everything is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Dish

Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the potato mixture evenly across the surface, creating a smooth layer.

Step 6: Add Delicious Toppings

Sprinkle crumbled bacon pieces uniformly over the potato mixture. Ensure complete and even coverage. Add an extra layer of shredded cheese on top for maximum richness.

Step 7: Final Baking

Return the dish to the oven and bake until the top turns golden brown and edges become slightly crispy.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and let the casserole rest briefly. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions. Serve piping hot and watch everyone dig in with excitement.

Helpful Tips For Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

• Prevent Potato Piercing: Always poke multiple holes in potatoes before baking to release steam and prevent potential potato explosions in the oven.
• Maintain Potato Skin Integrity: Leave a thin layer of potato flesh attached to the skin when scooping to help maintain the structural support for your loaded mashed potatoes.
• Achieve Creamy Texture: Blend butter, sour cream, and milk gradually while mashing to create a smooth, velvety potato mixture without lumps.
• Balance Bacon Distribution: Crumble bacon into uniform, small pieces to ensure every bite has a perfect bacon-to-potato ratio.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle additional cheese on top during the final baking stage to create a golden, crispy, and irresistibly cheesy crust.

Tasty Twists On Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

• Loaded Vegetarian Potato Casserole: Replace bacon with sautéed mushrooms and spinach for a hearty vegetarian alternative packed with umami flavor.
• Dairy-Free Potato Bake: Swap sour cream and milk with coconut milk, use nutritional yeast instead of cheese, and substitute butter with olive oil for a lactose-free version.
• Mexican-Inspired Potato Casserole: Add diced jalapeños, swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese, incorporate taco seasoning, and top with fresh cilantro for a spicy southwestern kick.
• Lighter Greek-Style Potato Dish: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, add crumbled feta cheese, sprinkle dried oregano, and include diced kalamata olives for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.

Great Sides For Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

• Craft Hearty Wine Pairing: Select a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon to complement the rich, cheesy potato casserole's creamy texture and savory bacon notes.
• Elevate Beer Selection: Choose a crisp amber ale or medium-bodied lager that cuts through the dish's richness while enhancing its smoky bacon undertones.
• Refresh with Salad Companion: Prepare a light mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the heavy potato dish, adding brightness and cutting through the creamy cheese.
• Match Protein Partner: Serve alongside grilled chicken or roasted pork tenderloin to create a complete meal that balances the potato casserole's decadent flavors.

Storing Twice-Baked Potato Casserole With Ease

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled potato casserole to a freezer-safe dish, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out until heated through.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming, typically taking 1-2 minutes total.

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole FAQ

• What kind of potatoes work best for this recipe?

Russet potatoes are ideal due to their high starch content, which creates a fluffy and creamy texture when mashed.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the potato mixture in advance and refrigerate it. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when you’re ready to cook.

• How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Simply omit the bacon or replace it with vegetarian bacon bits, smoked mushrooms, or roasted vegetables for similar flavor complexity.

• Is this dish gluten-free?

The basic recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always check individual ingredient labels to ensure no hidden gluten sources are present.

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 100-120 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy, cheesy twice-baked potato casserole delivers pure comfort on a plate. Loaded with crispy bacon, melted cheddar, and green onions, this hearty dish promises a delightful experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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main ingredients:

• 6 large potatoes
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter

protein and garnish:

• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 4 green onions, chopped

seasoning:

• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly wash potatoes, piercing each several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during initial baking.
2. Arrange potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for 60-75 minutes until they’re completely tender when pierced with a knife.
3. Remove potatoes from oven and let cool slightly until comfortable to handle, then slice each potato in half lengthwise.
4. Scoop out the potato flesh into a large mixing bowl, leaving a thin layer attached to the skin to maintain structure.
5. Mash the potato flesh until smooth and creamy, incorporating butter, sour cream, and milk until well blended.
6. Fold in shredded cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, mixing until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
7. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread the potato mixture evenly across the surface.
8. Sprinkle crumbled bacon pieces uniformly over the potato mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
9. Top with additional shredded cheese for extra richness.
10. Return to the oven and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and edges are slightly crispy.
11. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
12. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving hot.

Notes

• Customize potato selection by using Russet or Yukon Gold for optimal creaminess and texture.
• Ensure potatoes are completely dry after washing to prevent soggy casserole consistency.
• Use room temperature ingredients like butter and sour cream for smoother mixing and better blending.
• Consider lactose-free alternatives like almond milk and vegan cheese for dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 85-105 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 396
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 606 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 48 mg