Loaded Mashed Potatoes

5 from 10 votes
21 Comments

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Loaded Mashed Potatoes are a tasty way to use up extra mashed potatoes from holiday meals or Sunday dinner. A cheesy, creamy side to so many meals!

Loaded Mashed Potatoes being spooned out of a baking dish.

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Loaded Mashed Potatoes are a terrific answer to the question “what do we do with all these leftover mashed potatoes?” For some reason I can’t ever estimate how many potatoes to make for a meal, so I always end up with plenty left over. This mashed potato casserole recipe completely changes the flavor of regular mashed potatoes and can be served alongside ham, chicken, steak, fish, just about anything! They’re creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor.

Loaded Mashed Potatoes in a white bowl with a spoonful of potatoes pulling away.

How to Make Perfect Mashed Potatoes

To start off this recipe, you’re going to need some good mashed potatoes. Try our perfect mashed potatoes recipe for the creamiest fluffiest mashed potatoes ever. Usually we make this recipe for Sunday dinner, then turn the leftovers into Loaded Mashed Potatoes during the week. Here’s how to get perfectly fluffy mashed potatoes every time:

  • First, dice your potatoes into bite size pieces all about the same size. This will ensure they boil evenly.
  • Place potatoes in cold water in a large pot, then simmer on medium heat to high heat until they’re tender. 
  • Drain potatoes, then mash using a potato masher or a hand mixer. I season them with a little salt, pepper and butter.

Suggestions for Loaded Mashed Potatoes

  • The big secret to the Loaded Mashed Potatoes is adding a Hidden Valley Ranch packet. That’s what gives you the most flavor in the actual potatoes. If you don’t like using prepared packets, there are plenty of recipes out there to make your own. Just look up “homemade ranch packet” on Google and you’ll be swimming in DIY options!
  • Make sure to have plenty of bacon, cheese and green onions on hand for this recipe. Chop the bacon into small pieces before cooking. This speeds up the cooking process and I don’t have to worry about burning myself when I try to crumble it later.
  • I love using extra sharp cheddar cheese in this recipe for a tangy flavor, but you could use any cheese you like. Monterrey Jack, Mexican Blend, or even Pepper Jack cheese are delicious alternatives.
  • If you’re worried about the green onion flavor being too overpowering, soak them in water for a few minutes before dicing and adding to the potatoes. Soaking green onions takes down the flavor just a bit. You can do that with red and white onions as well! Just make sure to dry off the onions really well with a paper towel before adding them to the potatoes.
A white baking dish filled with loaded potatoes.

More Tasty Potato Recipes

Much of our family resides in Idaho, so we know and love our potatoes! Here are a few of our most cherished potato recipes. Try them all and find your favorites!

Loaded Mashed Potatoes being spooned out of a baking dish.

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

5 from 10 votes
Loaded Mashed Potatoes are a tasty way to use up extra mashed potatoes from holiday meals or Sunday dinner. A cheesy, creamy side to so many meals!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, 1 cup cheese, bacon and onions.
    A bowl filled with Loaded Mashed Potatoes ingredients
  • Spread into large casserole dish. Bake for 25 minutes or until heated.
    Mixed Loaded Mashed Potatoes in casserole dish
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Return to oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese on top is melted.
    Loaded Mashed Potatoes in a casserole dish with sprinkled cheese on top
  • Garnish if desired with extra bacon and green onions.
    Baked Loaded Mashed Potatoes with bacon bits and onions on top

Nutrition Information

Calories: 390kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 19gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 437mgPotassium: 1032mgFiber: 6gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 735IUVitamin C: 26.6mgCalcium: 385mgIron: 7.4mg

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Elise Donovan

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These potatoes were to die for!!!!! I wish I hadn’t seen the recipe because I was going to start my diet. They were so much better with the bacon and spring onion, plus I added some grated mozzarella. Will be making these on a regular basis. Goodbye to my diet, hello more fat clothes.

  2. I didn’t have leftover mashed potatoes so I made fresh. My family loved it! Definitely making these again. Looking forward to trying your other recipes!

  3. When it says prepared mashed potatoes does that mean boil then add milk/butter and have it 6 cups as mashed or 6 cups in potato cubes?

        1. It depends on the size of potato. I usually eye-ball it. A cup is about the size of your fist. If you can find six potatoes about that size, six will work. If the potatoes are smaller, I would use 8-10 to get 6 cups of mashed potatoes.

  4. My family makes a similar dish that’s wonderful as well. Can u make the night before and bake in the morning the next day?

    1. You probably could but after it cools down that much you will probably have to bake it for at least 40 minutes so it gets hot all the way through. That is a total guess though– we haven’t done t that way before so I can’t tell you for sure.

  5. 5 stars
    I made this today for Christmas Dinner with a ham. The potatoes were a hit. The addition of the ranch dressing mix is what makes these loaded mashed potatoes.

  6. Sound delicious for this recipe! It’s make me so hungry! i can’t wait to eat this 🙂 Thanks a lot for sharing with us.