What the heck is this?
Think mashed potatoes, but leveled all the way up. Creamy, buttery potatoes are whipped to dreamy fluffiness, then loaded with sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, green onions, and a swirl of sour cream. It’s basically like a baked potato in disguise — warm, cheesy, smoky, and absolutely impossible to stop eating. It’s the side that might just outshine the main dish. Sorry, turkey.
Perfect for holiday spreads, BBQs, potlucks, or literally any meal that needs a little extra comfort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ultra creamy texture with bold, cozy flavors.
Totally customizable — build your own flavor adventure.
Make-ahead friendly!
One bowl, all the comfort.
Pairs with just about everything. (Yes, even breakfast.)
The Stuff You’ll Need
- 2½ lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk (or heavy cream if you’re feelin’ fancy)
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup chopped cooked bacon (about 6 slices)
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- Salt + black pepper to taste
- Optional: garlic powder, extra cheese, hot sauce
Let’s Get Loaded
- Boil the taters: Add chopped potatoes to a big pot of salted water. Boil until fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes. Drain well.
- Mash & mix: Return potatoes to the pot or a large bowl. Add butter, sour cream, and milk. Mash until smooth and creamy (or leave a few chunks if you’re into texture).
- Cheese it up: Stir in the shredded cheddar until melted and gooey. Season with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder to taste.
- Get loaded: Fold in the bacon and green onions. Save a little of each for topping, because you’re fancy like that.
- Serve hot: Scoop into a bowl, sprinkle with more cheese, bacon, and green onions. Maybe even a drizzle of hot sauce if you’re feeling wild.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with steak, roasted chicken, fried anything, or just a spoon.
Add a fried egg on top for a breakfast remix.
Make it a meal: add sautéed mushrooms, crumbled sausage, or shredded rotisserie chicken.
Switch It Up
Spicy kick: Add diced jalapeños or a swirl of chipotle sour cream.
Extra creamy: Use cream cheese instead of sour cream.
Make it vegetarian: Skip the bacon, add roasted garlic and caramelized onions.
Loaded casserole: Transfer to a baking dish, top with cheese and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes for a bubbly finish.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Totally! Just reheat gently on the stove or in the oven with a splash of milk.
Q: What’s the best potato to use?
A: Yukon Gold for creamy texture, Russet for fluffiness — or a mix for best of both.
Q: Can I freeze them?
A: Yep! Freeze in portions, reheat with a little milk and stir well.
Loaded Mashed Potatoes: The Side Dish That Steals the Show
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Think mashed potatoes, but leveled all the way up. Creamy, buttery potatoes are whipped to dreamy fluffiness, then loaded with sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, green onions, and a swirl of sour cream. It’s basically like a baked potato in disguise — warm, cheesy, smoky, and absolutely impossible to stop eating. It’s the side that might just outshine the main dish. Sorry, turkey.
Ingredients
2½ lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
4 tbsp unsalted butter
½ cup sour cream
½ cup milk (or heavy cream if you’re feelin’ fancy)
1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup chopped cooked bacon (about 6 slices)
¼ cup chopped green onions
Salt + black pepper to taste
Optional: garlic powder, extra cheese, hot sauce
Instructions
Boil the taters: Add chopped potatoes to a big pot of salted water. Boil until fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes. Drain well.
Mash & mix: Return potatoes to the pot or a large bowl. Add butter, sour cream, and milk. Mash until smooth and creamy (or leave a few chunks if you’re into texture).
Cheese it up: Stir in the shredded cheddar until melted and gooey. Season with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder to taste.
Get loaded: Fold in the bacon and green onions. Save a little of each for topping, because you’re fancy like that.
Serve hot: Scoop into a bowl, sprinkle with more cheese, bacon, and green onions. Maybe even a drizzle of hot sauce if you’re feeling wild.
Notes
Serve with steak, roasted chicken, fried anything, or just a spoon.
Add a fried egg on top for a breakfast remix.
Make it a meal: add sautéed mushrooms, crumbled sausage, or shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~370 per serving
- Protein: ~10g