Twice-Baked Potatoes Casserole

This comforting twice-baked potatoes casserole brings all the cozy flavors families crave in one easy dish. Everyone from picky kids to grandparents will absolutely love the creamy, cheesy goodness. Plus, you can make it ahead of time, which makes hosting dinner parties so much easier!

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour, Serves: 12 people.

Nutrition Profile: High-Calcium, Nut-Free, Healthy Pregnancy, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 189 Calories, 7g Fat, 24g Carbs, 9g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Russet potatoes: You’ll need 3 pounds of medium russet potatoes, scrubbed clean. Russets are perfect here because they get so fluffy and creamy when baked!

Extra-virgin olive oil: Just 1 teaspoon to rub on the potato skins. This helps them get that perfect crispy outside we all love.

Reduced-fat cream cheese: About ⅓ cup will make everything super creamy. Let it soften at room temperature for easier mixing.

Sour cream: ¼ cup adds that tangy flavor that makes twice-baked potatoes so special. Regular or light sour cream both work great!

Whole milk: 1 ½ cups helps create that smooth, creamy texture. You can use 2% milk if that’s what you have on hand.

Sharp Cheddar cheese: 1 ½ cups shredded, and we’ll divide this up. Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor, but mild works too if you prefer.

Bacon: 5 slices cooked and crumbled, divided between the casserole and topping. Cook it until it’s nice and crispy for the best texture.

Scallions: ¼ cup thinly sliced, plus extra for garnish. These add such a fresh, mild onion flavor that everyone loves.

How to Make Twice-Baked Potatoes Casserole

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Rub the scrubbed potatoes with olive oil and pierce them all over with a fork. Place them on your prepared baking sheet and bake until tender, about 1 hour. Let them cool for about 10 minutes so you can handle them safely.

Step 2: While the potatoes are cooling, whisk the cream cheese and sour cream together in a medium bowl until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk until everything is well combined and creamy.

Step 3: Coat a 9-by-13-inch ceramic baking dish with cooking spray. Cut the cooled potatoes in half lengthwise and roughly chop the halves. Place the chopped potatoes in a large bowl and mash them with a potato masher until mostly smooth. Gradually add your milk mixture, stirring just until incorporated.

Step 4: Add ½ cup of the Cheddar cheese, ¼ cup of the bacon, scallions, salt, and pepper to the mashed potatoes. Stir until everything is well combined and looks delicious! Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Cheddar on top.

Step 5: Bake until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining bacon and garnish with extra scallions if you want. Serve hot and watch everyone smile!

Easy and Quick Twice-Baked Potatoes Casserole Version

Want to save some time? You can totally use 3 pounds of pre-baked russet potatoes from the grocery store! Just skip the first baking step and go straight to chopping and mashing. You can also use pre-cooked bacon bits – about ½ cup total – to make things even easier. This cuts your prep time down to just 10 minutes!

Serving Ideas

This casserole is practically a complete meal on its own! Serve it alongside some grilled chicken or pork chops for a hearty dinner. A simple green salad with ranch dressing or some steamed broccoli makes perfect sides. It’s also amazing at potluck dinners and holiday gatherings!

Storage

Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days in a covered container. To reheat, pop individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat the whole dish in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through. You can also freeze this for up to 3 months – just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Substitutions

No russet potatoes? Yukon Gold potatoes work great too and give you extra creamy results! You can swap the bacon for ham, turkey bacon, or even leave it out completely for a vegetarian version. Greek yogurt can replace the sour cream if you want extra protein. Regular milk works instead of whole milk, though it won’t be quite as rich.

Pro Tips

Perfect potatoes: Make sure to pierce those potatoes really well with a fork – this prevents them from bursting in the oven!
Smooth texture: Don’t overmix when adding the milk mixture, or your potatoes might get gummy.
Make-ahead magic: You can prep this whole casserole through step 4, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Just add 15 extra minutes to the baking time!
Crispy bacon: Save some bacon grease to brush on top before the final bake for extra flavor.
Cheese upgrade: Mix in some cream cheese for extra richness, or try Gruyere cheese for a fancier flavor.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

You bet! Prepare everything through step 4, cover with foil, and refrigerate for 8-12 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just add an extra 15 minutes to the cooking time since it’ll be cold from the fridge.

What if I don’t have a potato masher?

No worries! You can use a large fork to mash the potatoes, or even a hand mixer on low speed. Just be careful not to overmix, or the potatoes will get gluey.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Sure! This freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. You might need to add a splash of milk when reheating if it seems dry.

How do I know when the potatoes are done baking?

The potatoes should feel tender when you gently squeeze them (use an oven mitt!), and a fork should slide in easily. If they’re still firm, give them another 10-15 minutes in the oven.

Final Thoughts

I hope your family loves this twice-baked potatoes casserole as much as mine does! It’s become our go-to side dish for Sunday dinners and holiday meals. Let me know how yours turns out – I’d love to hear about any fun variations you try!