Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

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Save a scoop of this cheesy twice-baked potato casserole for us, please!

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole - Southern Living
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 55 mins
Servings:
8

Twice-baked potato casserole makes a rich and comforting addition to any buffet table, holiday feast, or weeknight dinner. It can also serve as a cozy main dish with some salad on the side.

Enjoy the richness of a loaded baked potato in convenient casserole form. Creamy mashed potatoes enhanced with a trio of butter, heavy cream, and sour cream, are studded with crisp potato skins, bacon, and sliced scallions. It's all topped off with a layer of melty Cheddar cheese, more bacon, and a smattering of scallions for a bright, oniony finish.

Learn how to make twice-baked potato casserole and discover a new family-favorite side dish.

Ingredients for Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

To make this indulgent casserole, you'll need:

  • Russet potatoes: A hearty variety that mashes up into a light and fluffy filling.
  • Olive oil: Coats the potatoes before baking for crispy skins.
  • Kosher salt & black pepper: Seasons the potato skins and casserole filling.
  • Unsalted butter and heavy whipping cream: Mashed into the potatoes for additional richness.
  • Sour cream: Added to the mashed potatoes for a creamy, tangy flavor.
  • Bacon slices: Cooked and crumbled for a salty, meaty bite with the potatoes, and as an inviting topping.
  • Scallions: Adds a fresh, oniony flavor to the casserole.
  • Cooking spray: Grease the baking dish with spray for easy cleanup.
  • Sharp Cheddar cheese: Shred your own Cheddar for a perfectly melty casserole top, or swap with pre-shredded cheese if needed.
ingredients for twice-baked potato casserole

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Community Tip

Some Southern Living community members mentioned adding garlic to the mashed potatoes for even more flavor.

How To Make Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

With only 25 minutes of active time, this recipe for twice-baked potato casserole is worth every second. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

  • Step 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Rub potatoes with oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pierce with a fork, and bake on a foil-lined baking sheet until tender, about 1 hour. Cool slightly.
  • Step 2. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise, and scoop out flesh. Add butter and mash. Add cream and sour cream, and stir until mostly smooth.
  • Step 3. Cut potato skins into 1-inch pieces, and stir 1/2 cup into mashed potatoes. Stir in half the bacon, 1/4 cup scallions, and remaining salt and pepper. Transfer to a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish. Top with cheese and remaining skins.
  • Step 4. Bake until bubbly, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining bacon and scallions, and serve hot.

Can I Prepare Twice-Baked Potato Casserole in Advance?

To make this casserole in advance, prepare as directed through Step 5. Cool, wrap tightly, and refrigerate overnight, or freeze in a freezer-safe baking dish, well-wrapped, for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then bring to room temperature before baking as directed (casserole may need additional baking time).

How To Store and Reheat Leftover Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Wrap and refrigerate leftover potato casserole for up to three days, or freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then bring to room temperature before heating, covered, in a 350°F oven until hot throughout before serving.

What To Serve With Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

This cheesy, bacon-topped potato casserole is the epitome of comfort food. Served on its own, it makes a hearty main course, especially if paired with a light salad.

To serve as a hearty side dish, pair with roasted or grilled chicken, steak, or any protein you prefer, along with steamed or roasted vegetables, and/or a side salad.

More Potato Casserole Recipes You'll Love

Is there anything more comforting than hot, creamy potatoes? These recipes are all guaranteed to get gobbled up in no time:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs. russet potatoes, scrubbed (about 8 small potatoes)

  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil

  • 2 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided

  • 3/4 tsp. black pepper, divided

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and softened

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

  • 1/2 cup sour cream

  • 8 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled, divided

  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions (about 4 scallions), divided

  • Cooking spray

  • 4 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)

Directions

  1. Prepare oven:

    Preheat oven to 400°F.

  2. Bake potatoes:

    Rub potatoes with oil, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper. Pierce all over with a fork, and place on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until tender, about 1 hour. Cool slightly, about 10 minutes.

    baked potatoes

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Make potato filling:

    Cut potatoes in half lengthwise, and carefully scoop out pulp into a large bowl. Set potato skins aside. Add butter to potatoes, and mash with a potato masher. Add whipping cream and sour cream, and stir until mixture is mostly smooth.

    mashed potatoes for potato casserole

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  4. Combine casserole ingredients:

    Cut potato skins into 1-inch pieces.

    chopped potato skins

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Stir 1/2 cup into mashed potatoes. Stir in half of the bacon, 1/4 cup of the scallions, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

    mixing ingredients for twice-baked potato casserole

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  5. Add mixture to baking dish:

    Transfer mixture to a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 2-quart baking dish.

    baked potato casserole in baking dish

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Sprinkle top with cheese and remaining potato skin pieces.

    twice-baked mashed potato casserole before baking

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  6. Bake casserole:

    Bake in preheated oven until golden and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

    twice-baked potato casserole after baking

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  7. Garnish and serve:

    Sprinkle casserole with remaining half of bacon and 1/4 cup scallions, and serve hot.

    twice-baked potato casserole with toppings bacon green onions - southern living

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use a different type of potato for this potato casserole?

    While russets are the potato we recommend most for baking, Idaho, Yukon Gold, or other varieties can also be used, if needed.

  • Can I skip the bacon in twice-baked potato casserole?

    You can leave out the bacon entirely, or substitute with turkey bacon, fried shallots, or any additions you prefer.

  • What else can I add to twice-baked potato casserole?

    Feel free to get creative when it comes to this casserole. You can substitute the cream with cream cheese, the scallions with chives, the Cheddar with Monterey Jack, the bacon with any crispy, salty touch you prefer, or add any other additions you love.

Additional reporting by
Katie Rosenhouse
Katie Rosenhouse
Katie Rosenhouse is a pastry chef and food writer with over 15 years of experience in the culinary arts. She's worked as a pastry chef in some of the finest restaurants in New York City, as a culinary instructor, and as a recipe developer.

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