Bring a little comfort to your table with this warm, hearty loaded potato casserole. It turns classic twice-baked potatoes into a scoopable, family-sized side that is perfect for busy weeknights, holidays, or potlucks.
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Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Rich and comforting, this casserole combines creamy, buttery potatoes with sharp cheddar and smoky bacon for big flavor in every bite.
- Skill Level: Just slice the potatoes in half, bake, scoop, top, and bake again. So easy!
- Tools: A potato masher is a handy tool for getting perfectly mashed potatoes.
- Serving Suggestions: Leftover baked potatoes inspired me to make this recipe. And so, like all baked potatoes, it pairs so well with meatloaf, grilled steaks, and most holiday meals.
What You’ll Need
- Potato Base: Russet potatoes are ideal because they mash easily and create a light, fluffy texture. Yellow or red potatoes work too, and stay nice and creamy when cooked. For extra richness, mash the warm potatoes with butter, cream cheese, and sour cream.
- Mix-Ins: This is where all the loaded potato flavor comes in. Use sharp cheddar for a bolder flavor or mild cheddar for a creamier dish, and shred your own so it melts smoothly. Cook the bacon until crisp, then crumble some into the potatoes and save a little for the top. Stir in green onions, herbs, and your favorite seasonings for more flavor and a bit of color in every scoop.
- Toppings: Finish with more cheese, crispy bacon, and a sprinkle of green onions for a classic loaded potato look.
- Variations: Swap the cheddar for pepper jack for a spicy twist. Stir in roasted garlic, cooked ham, or leftover chicken to make it a meal.
From Potatoes to Casserole
- Scoop and mash baked potatoes with sour cream, cream cheese, butter, and warm milk/cream.
- Mix in cheese, bacon, green onions, parsley, and seasonings.
- Spread in a dish, add toppings, and bake (full recipe below).
Save, Store, Enjoy
Here’s the great thing about this dish: it can be made up to 2 days in advance. This makes it the perfect dish to serve for the holidays, and of course, it bakes up nice and bubbly!
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave in small portions. To freeze, assemble the casserole but skip baking; wrap tightly and place in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.
Cozy Potato Favorites
Did you enjoy this Twice-Baked Potato Casserole? Leave a comment and rating below.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 medium baked potatoes
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ½ cup milk or cream, warmed
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- 10 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1 green onion thinly sliced
- 2 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cut baked potatoes in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop the potato flesh into a bowl.
- Mash the warm potatoes with a potato masher. Add sour cream, cream cheese, and butter. Continue mashing, adding milk/cream a little at a time until the potatoes have a creamy consistency.
- Stir in remaining ingredients (except toppings) and spread into a 2 quart casserole dish.
- Sprinkle with toppings and bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and potatoes are hot.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Side Dish
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I have not made this yet but am looking forward to.
This recipe looks delicious! I wonder if you added ham or chicken to it would it make it taste bad
We haven’t tried but that sounds delicious Mary!
I made this for my daughter’s birthday dinner. There wasn’t a single crumb left. It was a huge hit in my house! Delicious!!!
That is great Cheryl! So happy everyone loved it.
I’ve made this in the past and it is excellent. Any idea if you could freeze it?
Hi Kathy, You can freeze this and bake at approximately 350°F for about 45-55 minutes. If you make them in smaller dishes, it may take a bit less time.
Can you used dried parsley instead of fresh or would it change the taste?
Hi April, you can use dried parsley if that is what you have on hand, it shouldn’t change the flavor too much but do keep in mind dried herbs are more potent than fresh so you may want to adjust the amount you add.
Excellent! Made it for Mother’s Day and it was a hit. Will make two batches next time as it was the first dish we ran out of. Wouldn’t change a thing!
I am so glad this casserole was well received at your Mother’s Day meal Michael!
Haven’t tried yet but Looks absolutely Delicious and super easy, Thanks so much..
I hope you love it when you try it Darlene!
Yummy
Thanks Catherine!
Sorry I meant to ask how many people does the recipe feed
Donna, this recipe makes 10 servings. You can find this information at the top of the recipe card. Enjoy!
Can this casserole be baked today and reheated tomorrow in the microwave?
This casserole is fine to make ahead and reheat. Enjoy Joan!
This casserole is an absolute hit wherever I go! Thank you so much for this recipe.
I am so glad you have enjoyed this recipe Ekaterina!
Can you use leftover mashed potato’s?
You sure can Judy!
How well does this casserole freeze? My parents are now 76 and 79 and my mom has developed some serious health issues and not doing much cooking any longer. This of course places a lot of this on my dad, who is very busy still in life and who first, isn’t used to doing the cooking day in and day out and while he can cook, he’s not the greatest pro at it. I don’t live in the house with them but I want to help how I can. I deal with my own health issues but I’m thinking if I can have items in the freezer they can count on that will help. Similar to what the Pioneer Woman did for years for Ladd’s grandmother, Edna Mae whom I understand they sadly lost this past summer only a few months after Ladd’s mother. I love how she prepared smaller portions for Edna Mae of all sorts of recipes and I have all those but am trying to find any others that I can. I know potatoes don’t freeze all that well but I’m wondering after these have been baked in a casserole they might do better. I’m thinking about putting two servings in the small aluminum loaf pans. That would be a nice amount for the two of them as my dad doesn’t eat many starches (he and the Queen I understand) as my dad is a diabetic. However they both love potatoes, especially my mom. I’ve ready several times that even when feeling a bit nauseous potatoes help to calm the tummy. I know I find hot potatoes a very comforting and filling food to eat. Any thoughts on freezing this dish?
How wonderful for you to help make some dishes for your parents Pamela. Absolutely, I make them ahead of time and freeze, you can bake right from frozen. I do approximately 350°F for about 45-55 minutes. If you make them in smaller dishes, it may take a bit less time.
When doing a baked potato casserole, do you leave the skins on the baked potato?
If they are red or white potatoes with a thinner skin, I leave some or most of it on (or you can peel, personal preference). If they’re an Idaho or Russet potato, I peel them. Enjoy!
Has anyone tried it with something other than redskin potatoes? Do you think the redskin definitely adds to the overall result?
This recipe works beautifully with any kind of potato!
thanks!
Bit of a misnomer. Twice baked potatoes should be baked twice. However as a *-Baked Potato Casserole -*it was good.
Uhmmm they are baked twice hahaha. You bake/ or boil the potatoes. Mash then add all ingredients, then bake AGAIN in a casserole dish. please read instructions again
This casserole is delicious. I’ve made it several times. Always a hit.
Made this for a sports banquet and everyone raved about it. It was delicious!! Thankyou!
I’m so glad everyone loved it!
wish there was some way you could give the amount of servings per recipe
We absolutely loved this recipe! It’s a definite repeat! Thank you!
So glad that you loved it! :) Enjoy!