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Loaded Mashed Potatoes is a creamy side dish loaded with sour cream, cheddar cheese and BACON! This will be your family’s favorite side!
Loaded mashed potatoes are an awesome side dish that goes great with a lot of home cooked meals. With sour cream, cheddar cheese, and bacon pieces, it’s like eating an actual loaded potato but you are not limited to just one potato. 😉
These potatoes can be dressed down to accompany a homey comfort meal or dressed up to attend a BBQ potluck with friends and family. They’re so versatile and delicious, there is no wrong time to enjoy them.
This loaded mashed potatoes recipe is super easy to follow and you can choose to do it on your stovetop or in your Instant Pot making it that much faster and simpler. Your family is going to love these tasty mashed potatoes served alongside their favorite dishes.
What’s In Loaded Mashed Potatoes?
- Boiled Potatoes: This can be done on the stove top or in your Instant Pot. If you’d like to use your Instant Pot, cut into cubes and cook for 6 minutes on high pressure with a quick release. You can read more about this in my Instant Pot mashed potatoes recipe.
- Sour Cream: You can use lite, if preferred. You could also substitute plain greek yogurt (or Instant Pot yogurt!)
- Butter
- Seasonings: We are talking garlic powder, season all and of course, salt and pepper.
- Bacon: I used bacon bits that I crisped up on the stovetop but feel free to use microwave bacon or fry some up for this recipe! Whatever you prefer.
- Green Onions
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
How to Make Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Making loaded mashed potatoes is as easy as making regular mashed potatoes. There are just a few more things to stir together. The first thing to do is get those potatoes boiled. If boiling on the stovetop, just boil until your potato can be stabbed with a fork and it falls off by itself. If using the Instant Pot, cook for 6 minutes on hight pressure with a quick release.
Drain those potatoes really well, the extra starches in the water can make the mash gluey if water is left in with the potatoes. The next step is to roughly mash the potatoes prior to adding anything to them. This will help insure their fluffiness.
Next, we will gently mash the remaining ingredients. Remember, you can always adjust the texture by adding a splash or two of milk.
How far ahead can you make mashed potatoes?
You can make mashed potatoes up to 2 days in advance by preparing it as listed on the recipe card and then allowing it to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container and keeping it stored inside of your fridge. This is a great way to knock out dinner sides in advance when you know you’re going to be busy!
Just store in an oven safe dish and then reheat the mashed potatoes in the oven at 350° for about 20 minutes or until warmed through and you are good to go! You may wish to add a little butter or milk to help moisten it back up if your mashed potatoes became a little dry while in the fridge.
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs potatoes, boiled
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic
- 1/2 tsp season all
- 1/4 cup bacon bits
- 1/4 cup green onions
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Boil your mashed potaotes until fork tender. Drain the water off of the potaotes.
- Mash the potaotes slightly and then add in the sour cream and butter. Mash until just smooth, over mashing can make them gluey. If you'd like your potaotes thinner, now is the time to adjust the texture with a splash of milk.
- Add the seasonings, bacon bits, green onions and shredded cheese. Gently fold to combine.
- Serve immedietly or can be topped with more cheese and baked in the oven for 10 minuutes at 350°, if desired.
