Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

🥔🧀 Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes — The Side Dish That Steals the Show

“Because sometimes the side dish is so good, it becomes the main event.”

These Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food upgrade — fluffy, buttery potatoes mashed to perfection, loaded with sour cream, cheddar, and cream, then baked until golden and bubbly. They’re the kind of side dish that makes people hover near the oven, “just checking” if they’re ready yet.

They’re:

• Perfect for holidays — but easy enough for Tuesday night.
• Make-ahead friendly — assemble, chill, and bake when you’re ready.
• Crowd-approved — because cheese + potatoes = universal happiness.

 

We did this as a side for Sunday dinner last Sunday and the kids actually ate it pretty good. My kids are weird and don’t typically like mashed potatoes. They liked these, honestly another thing I’ve been craving are mashed potatoes.

This was my best effort to jazz some up so that everyone else could enjoy them as well.

 

 

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Ingredients

• 8 large russet potatoes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 sticks of salted butter
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese for topping

Directions

1. Bake the Potatoes
   • Preheat oven to 400°F.
   • Scrub potatoes, place on baking sheets, rub with olive oil.
   • Bake until tender, 45–60 minutes.
2. Prep the Mix
   • Lower oven to 350°F.
   • Slice butter into pats in a large mixing bowl.
   • Add sour cream (and bacon if you’re feeling wild).
3. Cube & Smash
   • Cut each potato into cubes (peel if you prefer).
   • Add to the bowl and mash with a potato masher.
4. Cheesy Goodness
   • Add cheddar, cream, seasoned salt, and a pinch of pepper.
   • Mix until well combined.
5. Bake to Perfection
   • Butter a baking dish, spoon in the mixture.
   • Top with more cheddar and parmesan.
   • Bake 25–30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving — 10 Servings)

• Calories: ~365
• Protein: 7g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fat: 24g
• Sugar: 2g

📊 Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

\*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for the Best Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes

• Bake, don’t boil — baking keeps the potatoes fluffy and flavorful.
• Warm the cream before adding for smoother mixing.
• Don’t overmix — it can make potatoes gummy.
• Use freshly shredded cheese — it melts better than pre-shredded.
• Make ahead — assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

🎨 Recipe Variations

• Bacon Lover’s — Stir in crispy bacon bits.
• Garlic Parmesan — Add roasted garlic and swap cheddar for extra parm.
• Loaded Style — Top with green onions, bacon, and sour cream.
• Spicy Kick — Add diced jalapeños or pepper jack cheese.
• Herb Infusion — Mix in fresh chives, parsley, or thyme.

🧒 Kid Tips

• Let kids sprinkle the cheese topping — they’ll feel like chefs.
• Serve with ketchup for picky eaters (no judgment).
• Make mini portions in muffin tins for fun, individual servings.
• Keep spice mild and let adults add heat at the table.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Buy potatoes in bulk — they store well in a cool, dark place.
• Store-brand dairy — sour cream, butter, and cream are just as good.
• Block cheese — shred it yourself for better melt and flavor.
• Seasoned salt — make your own with salt, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Freeze butter — it lasts for months and is easy to portion.

📣 Reader’s Challenge: #CheesePleasePotatoes

I want to see YOUR Cheesy Baked Mashed Potato creations!

1. Make the recipe.
2. Add your own twist — different cheeses, toppings, or mix-ins.
3. Snap a photo of your masterpiece.
4. Post it on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #CheesePleasePotatoes and tag me.

I’ll feature my favorites in an upcoming post — let’s make side dishes the star of the table!

♻️ Leftover Remix

• Potato Pancakes — Mix with an egg, pan-fry until crispy.
• Shepherd’s Pie — Use as the topping for a beef and veggie filling.
• Stuffed Mushrooms — Spoon into mushroom caps, bake until golden.
• Potato Soup Starter — Thin with broth for a creamy soup base.
• Breakfast Hash — Fry with diced ham and onions.

💭 Final Thoughts

These Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes are proof that side dishes can be the highlight of the meal. They’re rich, creamy, and endlessly customizable — the kind of recipe you’ll make for holidays, potlucks, or just because you deserve cheesy carbs on a Wednesday.

Here’s the thing — food like this isn’t just about filling plates. It’s about filling hearts. It’s the smell of potatoes baking while laughter drifts in from the living room. It’s the way everyone leans in for “just one more scoop.” It’s the comfort of knowing you can make something that feels special without making yourself crazy in the kitchen.

This Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes recipe is more than a side dish — it’s a memory-maker. It’s the one people will ask you to bring again and again. It’s the dish that disappears first at the buffet.

So here’s my challenge to you: make it. Make it your own. Share it with someone who needs a little comfort. And when you do, post it with #CheesePleasePotatoes so we can all celebrate the magic of cheesy, buttery, potato perfection together.

Because life’s too short for boring sides — let’s make every bite a little celebration. 🥔💛

POTATOES!!!

 

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