This Mashed Potato Casserole recipe is a creamy and cheesy recipe, which is made with bacon and sour cream. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 5 minutes.
Jump to RecipeMashed Potato Casserole Recipe Ingredients
Everything you need for the ultimate loaded potato side dish.
Casserole:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted, plus more for the baking dish
- 1 (16-oz.) container sour cream
- 1 (1-oz.) envelope onion soup mix
- 4 lb. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 1 cup heavy cream, warmed
- 1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 8 oz. monterey jack cheese, shredded (about 2 c.)
- 1/2 cup lightly crushed crispy fried onions
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Topping:
- 1 cup lightly crushed crispy fried onions
- 1 cup lightly crushed kettle cooked potato chips with sea salt
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (about 1 oz.)
- Chopped chives or green onions, for serving
How To Make Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe
A step-by-step guide to this crowd-pleasing casserole.
- Prep Oven and Onion Dip: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Generously butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and onion soup mix. Refrigerate this mixture while you prepare the potatoes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Boil the Potatoes: Place the peeled and chunked potatoes into a large pot and cover them with cold water by at least one inch. Bring the water to a boil over high heat and cook until the potatoes are very tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Mash the Potatoes: Drain the potatoes well and return them to the hot pot with the heat turned off. Let them sit for a minute to steam dry, then mash them until no lumps remain.
- Mix the Casserole: To the mashed potatoes, add the prepared onion dip, melted butter, warm heavy cream, crumbled bacon, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1/2 cup fried onions, and salt. Stir everything together until well combined. Season to taste with black pepper.
- Assemble and Top: Transfer the potato mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. In a small bowl, mix together the 1 cup of fried onions, crushed potato chips, and Parmesan cheese for the topping. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the potatoes.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling and the topping is golden brown. Let it rest for a few minutes, then sprinkle with fresh chives or green onions before serving.

Recipe Tips
For the creamiest, most flavorful potato casserole.
- How to get the smoothest mashed potatoes? For the smoothest, non-gluey potatoes, mash them while they are still hot and use a potato ricer or food mill if you have one. Also, using warm cream and melted butter incorporates much more easily and keeps the potatoes fluffy.
- What are the best potatoes for mashing? High-starch potatoes like Russets or Idaho potatoes are perfect for this casserole. They break down easily and become light and fluffy when mashed, absorbing all the creamy, cheesy goodness.
- Can I use real onions instead of onion soup mix? Yes. For a similar flavor, finely dice one medium yellow onion and sauté it in a tablespoon of butter until soft and translucent before mixing it into the sour cream. You may need to add a bit more salt and garlic powder to the final mixture.
- How to get an extra crunchy topping? For an even crunchier topping, you can toast the potato chip and fried onion mixture in a dry skillet for a minute or two before sprinkling it on the casserole. This little step enhances the flavor and texture.
What To Serve With Mashed Potato Casserole
The perfect main dishes to accompany this decadent side.
This loaded casserole is a star side dish that pairs perfectly with hearty mains like:
- Classic Sunday Roast Chicken or Holiday Turkey
- Hearty Meatloaf with a tangy glaze
- Grilled Steaks or Pork Chops
- Simple steamed green beans or a crisp garden salad to balance the richness
How To Store Mashed Potato Casserole
Keeping your casserole fresh for round two.
- Refrigerate: Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap, or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: You can freeze the assembled, unbaked casserole. Wrap the dish tightly in both plastic wrap and foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking (you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time).
Mashed Potato Casserole Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Fat: 38 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Absolutely! This is a perfect make-ahead dish. You can assemble the entire casserole (without the topping), cover it, and refrigerate it for up to two days. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, add the fresh topping, and bake as directed, possibly adding 5-10 extra minutes.
Yes, if your potato mixture seems too stiff after adding all the ingredients, you can stir in a little more warm heavy cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Of course. While Monterey Jack melts beautifully, you could easily substitute it with sharp cheddar, a Colby Jack blend, or even Gruyère for a nuttier flavor. A mix of cheeses would also be delicious.
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Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe
Course: Side DIshCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings20
minutes45
minutes580
kcalThe ultimate creamy and cheesy mashed potato casserole, loaded with bacon, sour cream, and onion dip, and finished with a crunchy potato chip and fried onion topping.
Ingredients
4 lb. russet potatoes
1 (16-oz.) container sour cream
1 (1-oz.) envelope onion soup mix
1 cup heavy cream, warmed
1/2 cup melted butter
1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions, divided
1 cup crushed kettle-cooked potato chips
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 9×13-inch dish. Mix sour cream and onion soup mix; refrigerate.
- Boil peeled, chunked potatoes until fork-tender, about 20-25 minutes.
- Drain potatoes well, return to the pot, and mash until smooth.
- Stir in the onion dip, melted butter, warm cream, bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, and 1/2 cup of fried onions. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup fried onions, crushed potato chips, and Parmesan. Sprinkle over the casserole.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden. Garnish with chives and serve.
Notes
- Using high-starch Russet potatoes will give you the fluffiest texture for your casserole base.
- Warming the cream and melting the butter before adding them to the hot potatoes ensures a smooth, creamy result.
- For the best flavor, assemble the casserole a day ahead (without the topping) to let the flavors meld. Add the topping just before baking to keep it crunchy.
- To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 350°F until warmed through, removing the foil for the last few minutes to re-crisp the topping.