Making mashed potatoes from scratch is definitely a labor of love, but the end result is so worth it! And these Loaded Mashed Potatoes are extra creamy and loaded with cheese, bacon, and green onions.

Sometimes all we want to eat is comfort food. Something that tastes delicious, makes us feel full and satisfied, has great flavor combinations, and is easy to create.

When we are in full swing of the week with work commutes, commitments, and perhaps children to look after, these sorts of meal ideas are the ones we want to reach for.

This is where these loaded mashed potatoes are the ultimate dish, or side dish, for you to rustle up during the week.

Let’s face it, aside from mashed potatoes, what’s more comforting than cheese and bacon? I wanted to share with you a great recipe that you can make your own and adapt, serve with so many different things, and give you that ease of creating something that everyone will love.

These loaded mashed potatoes are the perfect easy side dish for your next family meal. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy some amazing mashed potatoes!

Loaded Mashed Potatoes Ingredients

5 Russet potatoes
1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup or 1 stick of butter
½ cup of heavy cream
½ cup of chopped bacon bits
⅓ cup of green onion, finely diced (plus extra slices for garnish)
1 tsp of garlic powder
½ tsp of salt
½ tsp of black pepper

Variations

If you don’t want to use the heavy cream you can substitute milk or even chicken stock instead. Just use ⅓ cup of either of those ingredients instead of ½ cup.
If you want to make a vegan version of this recipe then omit the bacon and use vegan alternatives for the cream and the cheese.
Use any kind of cheese that you like if you don’t enjoy cheddar. Mozzarella melts really well and has a milder flavor.
Once you have perfected the mashed potatoes you can add anything you like. You could make this vegetarian by adding a few different kinds of cheese or even cooked vegetables. Mushrooms work really well with potatoes. You could also add other things to it such as ham or chicken.
You could take this one step further and add the masked potatoes to an ovenproof dish, sprinkle with grated cheese of your choosing, and grill for a few minutes to get a crunchy cheesy top.
You could make this a complete dish if you just want to enjoy potatoes. Serve with some salad on the side, and add more ingredients to the loaded mashed potatoes to make it more complete.

For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How to make the Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Now that you have got all of the ingredients together it is time to make the dish.

First of all, get all of the ingredients together. Then peel and cut your potatoes into ½-inch pieces.

Add the chopped potatoes to a pot of cold water. Boil on high heat until the potatoes are fork-tender. Once they reach this consistency drain them to remove the moisture.

Return to your pot and add the butter and cream. Mash with a potato masher until combined.

Stir in cheddar, bacon, green onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Make sure all of the ingredients are evenly combined.

Voila! Your loaded mashed potatoes. Serve with your favorite protein and top with extra sliced green onion. Enjoy.

Notes and Tips

When preparing your water to boil the potatoes, add about ¼ cup of salt to it. This will help to add a little extra flavor during the cooking process.
Prepare all of the ingredients ahead of time, this is so you can combine all of the flavors quickly with your freshly pashed potato enabling you to serve it quickly.
If children are helping make sure they are supervised using knives and around boiling water.
Be careful when draining the mashed potatoes as the boiling water will generate a lot of steam which can burn.

FAQs

Can you make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this ahead of time. Mashed potato lasts well, so you could prepare this in the morning or a day before you need it. This could work well if you are short on time. You can reheat it in the microwave, or try the oven-proof dish suggestion with some extra cheese before serving it.

How do I store any leftovers?

Refrigerate any leftovers, but make sure the mashed potatoes have cooled completely before popping them into the fridge. You will also want to store the loaded mashed potatoes in an airtight container. The leftovers will last up to three days.

What can I serve it with?

There are so many options to serve with your loaded mashed potatoes. Here are a couple of suggestions:

Sausages and peas – Loaded mashed potatoes work well with sausages. Don’t forget a little bit of gravy.
Your favorite roast dinner – This could elevate a roast dinner and take it to the next level.
Chicken, beef, or lamb – This is a great dish to serve with any of these proteins, especially if they are cooked in a sauce.
Use this recipe as your topping for other great classics like cottage pie. It will really transform the dish.

More of our favorite sides:

Loaded Mashed Potato Recipe (Printable Copy)

I hope you enjoy eating your loaded mashed potatoes. And if so, please leave a star ★★★★★ rating and a comment below! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, or Twitter for more delicious recipes! And, don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family!