Arizona is currently in the middle of a heat wave. Now, I consider all of May through August a heat wave here every year, but this year it’s even worse.

This is the first year ever that the highs here have not been under 100 degrees for any day in June. They’ve actually issued an excessive heat warning.

We’re cooking here, people.

I was baking massive amounts of cookies and brownies the other day and someone on Instagram commented, “Just bake them by putting them in your car!”

And that’s a thing here. They showed it on the news the other day.

And even though I really do try to avoid turning on the oven in this crazy heat, sometimes it just needs to happen.

I threw this potato casserole together one night a few months ago when we were having a barbecue at our house and it has been requested repeatedly ever since, most recently, for our 4th of July cookout this Thursday.

We are planning to grill burgers on Thursday and this dish is the perfect barbecue addition.

It has chunks of potato, crispy bacon, ranch seasoning, creamy sour cream (are you allowed to use the word creamy to describe a food that already has “cream” in the title?), and, most importantly, melty cheese.

And my favorite part? You can make this casserole ahead of time. I haven’t tried freezing it yet, but when we’re serving this at a party, I always make this the day before so that I can focus on cleaning and setting up the day we’re having people over. Just assemble the casserole, cover it, and stick it in the fridge until you need it. Then, the day you serve it, the only thing you have to worry about is taking it in and out of the oven.

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

Yield: 12

No Ratings

Ingredients

4 lbs red potatoes
4 Tbs butter
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup sour cream plus more if desired for garnish
1 pkg dry ranch seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 Tbs dried parsley)
10 slices bacon, cooked and chopped plus more if desired for garnish
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
2 stalks green onion, diced plus more if desired for garnish

Instructions

Boil a large pot of water. Add potatoes and boil until fork tender, about 15 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes. Drain.
Put potatoes back in the large pot and mash with butter, milk, sour cream, ranch seasoning, salt, pepper, parsley, bacon, 1 cup of cheese, and green onions.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Spread potato mixture into a greased 13x9 baking dish and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
Bake for 30-45 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Top with bacon, green onions, and sour cream as desired.

Notes

Make ahead directions: Assemble casserole, but stop before baking. Cover and refrigerate until using, then bake as directed.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 329Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 624mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 12g

This information is just an estimate and may not be 100% accurate. Always double-check the nutritional information using your specific products and ingredients.

11 Comments

I KNOW!! I’ve been able to sneak bacon into dishes without him knowing, but he generally avoids it. I have to admit that it works out in my favor when we eat out and he orders the bacon on the side for me! 🙂

Thanks, Rachel! I hope you like it! I’ve made it 3 times in the last month!

Ha! What a perfect name! It’s hard to go wrong with potatoes, sour cream, bacon, and cheese!

Come on over! There are SO many leftovers in the fridge that are calling your name! 😉

I know. It’s ridiculous! Poor guy doesn’t know what he’s missing!

Yum, this looks delicious, Becky! 🙂 I didn’t know D was a bacon hater! (To each his own!)

Oh girl, I’m coming over so get ready! That looks fantastic, and yep, the make in advance prepping part…that’s sweet!

My family makes a similar casserole and we call it heart attack on a plate, but it’s so good!

Oh my goodness this looks and sounds so delicious Becky. I love that you can make it the day ahead and just bake it. That really helps with last minute prep for a party. I’m going to have to try this one.

*with giving*

Honestly…I need to start proof-reading my posts…LOL!

*gasp*

A bacon-hating husband? NO!!!! I’m so happy he liked it in these amazing looking potatoes, because the bacon would just MAKE them, imho!

And stop already will giving me more ideas for dishes for the 4th! *wink* P~

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole