The Ultimate Easy Twice Baked Potato Casserole: A Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food

A culinary masterpiece that combines the creamy richness of mashed potatoes with the savory goodness of crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese, all baked to golden perfection. This Twice Baked Potato Casserole takes everything you adore about classic loaded potatoes and transforms it into an effortlessly scalable, unbelievably delicious dish perfect for any occasion. Imagine tender chunks of oven-baked Yukon Gold potatoes, nestled in a velvety, tangy sour cream sauce, layered with crispy bacon bits, and smothered in a bubbling blanket of melted cheese – a truly irresistible experience that promises pure comfort in every spoonful. This recipe simplifies a beloved classic, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights, holiday gatherings, or simply when you crave the ultimate comfort food without the individual potato hassle.

Why Choose This Easy Twice Baked Potato Casserole?

The traditional twice-baked potato is a labor of love, a delicious indulgence that involves carefully hollowing out individual potato skins, mashing the pulp, mixing in fillings, and then stuffing them back into their shells for a second bake. While undeniably tasty, the process can be time-consuming and often impractical, especially when feeding a crowd or managing a busy schedule. Our Twice Baked Potato Casserole offers all the same incredible flavors and textures – the fluffy, creamy interior, the salty crunch of bacon, the sharp tang of cheddar, and the rich, smooth sour cream base – but in an easy-to-assemble, single-dish format. This means significantly less prep work, no individual potato handling, and more time for you to enjoy with your family and friends.

This casserole is the perfect solution for potlucks, family dinners, or any event where you want to impress without the stress. It removes the fuss of making individual potatoes while delivering an explosion of flavor that rivals its classic counterpart. The simple preparation allows you to achieve that comforting, loaded potato experience with minimal effort. The casserole bakes up with a beautiful golden crust, bubbling cheese, and irresistible aromas that will have everyone eagerly reaching for a second helping. It’s an efficient and equally delicious way to serve up a timeless favorite.

The Perfect Side Dish for Any Occasion

Versatility is a hallmark of any treasured recipe, and this Twice Baked Potato Casserole truly shines as an exceptional companion to almost any main course. It has the remarkable ability to elevate a simple meal into something special and perfectly complements a celebratory feast. Imagine serving this alongside juicy grilled turkey burgers or classic beef hamburgers for a casual backyard barbecue. The creamy, cheesy potatoes provide a fantastic contrast to the smoky flavors of grilled meats, creating a balanced and utterly satisfying plate.

For a more sophisticated dinner, this casserole pairs beautifully with a perfectly reverse-seared steak and a fresh, vibrant kale and Brussels sprouts salad with a maple Dijon vinaigrette. The richness of the casserole stands up wonderfully to a hearty steak, creating a decadent yet balanced meal. Beyond steak and burgers, it’s an excellent addition to roasted chicken, succulent pulled pork, glazed ham, or even a robust meatloaf. During the bustling holiday season, this casserole can easily become a star on your table, offering a comforting and crowd-pleasing alternative to traditional mashed potatoes or sweet potato dishes. Its impressive make-ahead potential further solidifies its status as a go-to for entertaining, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your meal without compromising on flavor or quality.

Essential Ingredients and Supplies for Your Potato Masterpiece

Crafting the perfect Twice Baked Potato Casserole starts with high-quality ingredients and the right tools. Here’s what you’ll need, along with tips to maximize flavor and efficiency:

Ingredients:

• Yukon Gold Potatoes: The undisputed foundation of this incredible casserole. Their naturally creamy texture and slightly buttery flavor are unmatched, ensuring the baked chunks are tender and perfectly absorb the rich sauce. They’re essential for achieving that classic loaded potato taste and consistency.
• Olive Oil: Essential for coating the potato chunks before roasting. It promotes beautiful golden-brown crispiness and enhances the savory flavor, contributing to the initial crisp texture of the potatoes.
• Kosher Salt: Used generously to season the potatoes before roasting, drawing out their natural flavors and contributing to the overall deliciousness of the casserole. If you only have fine table salt, remember to reduce the quantity as it’s saltier by volume.
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds a delightful subtle heat and aromatic complexity to the dish. Cracking pepper fresh over the potatoes before roasting delivers the best flavor impact compared to pre-ground pepper.
• Thick-Cut Bacon (Cooked & Crumbled): Provides that quintessential smoky, salty crunch throughout the casserole and as a tempting garnish. For convenience, cook the bacon until perfectly crispy while the potatoes are roasting, then crumble it once cooled to avoid greasy bits in your casserole.
• Sour Cream: Forms the luscious, tangy base of the creamy sauce, binding all the ingredients together with a rich, smooth consistency. It’s key to the signature “twice baked” flavor.
• Unsalted Butter (Melted & Slightly Cooled): Contributes a deep, buttery flavor and helps create that silky texture in the sour cream mixture. Ensure it’s slightly cooled before whisking to prevent the mixture from separating or “breaking.”
• Garlic Salt: A brilliant two-in-one seasoning that infuses the sour cream mixture with savory garlic notes and just the right amount of salt, simplifying the seasoning process.
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The ultimate cheesy topping and binder. It melts beautifully into the casserole, creating gooey pockets of flavor, and forms a tempting golden-brown crust on top. For the best melt and flavor, freshly shredding a block of sharp cheddar is highly recommended, but quality pre-shredded cheese also works well for convenience.
• Minced Chives (for garnishing): Adds a fresh, mild oniony bite and a vibrant pop of color, completing the classic loaded potato experience. They provide a delightful fresh contrast to the rich casserole.

Supplies:

• Rimmed sheet pan: Essential for roasting potatoes evenly and preventing any oil from dripping.
• Aluminum foil: For easy cleanup on the sheet pan, saving you time and effort.
• Large mixing bowl: To combine all the delicious casserole ingredients thoroughly and efficiently.
• Square baking dish: The perfect vessel for baking your ultimate Twice Baked Potato Casserole.
• Nonstick cooking spray: To ensure nothing sticks to your baking dish and for effortless serving.

Crafting Your Ultimate Twice Baked Potato Casserole: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this mouthwatering casserole is simpler than you might think. Follow these clear steps to achieve a dish that’s rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying, guaranteed to be a hit at any table:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a rimmed sheet pan by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying it lightly with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze, ensuring your potatoes roast perfectly.
• Thoroughly wash your Yukon Gold potatoes. Then, cut them into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring even cooking. Pat the potato chunks completely dry with paper towels; this step is crucial for achieving that desirable golden crispiness during roasting, preventing them from steaming.
• Spread the potato chunks in a single, even layer on the prepared sheet pan. Drizzle them with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, tossing gently to ensure every piece is lightly coated. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to build a strong flavor base.
• Roast the potatoes in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and starting to crisp all over. Stir them occasionally throughout the baking process to ensure they brown evenly on all sides and develop a delicious, slightly crispy exterior. They should be tender when pierced with a fork.

• Meanwhile, while the potatoes are roasting, cook your thick-cut bacon in a skillet until it’s wonderfully crispy. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Let it cool completely before crumbling it into small, savory bits. Set aside about 2 tablespoons of the crumbled bacon for garnishing the finished casserole, adding a final touch of flavor and texture.
• Once the roasted potatoes are out of the oven, remove them from the sheet pan and set aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8 or 9-inch square baking dish by spraying it thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray. This will ensure your casserole releases easily after baking.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, melted (and slightly cooled) unsalted butter, and garlic salt. Whisk these ingredients together until they are smooth and well combined, creating the creamy, flavorful sauce that binds the casserole together.

• Transfer the warm, roasted potato chunks to the large mixing bowl with the sour cream mixture. Gently stir until all the potato pieces are thoroughly coated in the creamy, tangy sauce. Be careful not to mash the potatoes too much; you want distinct chunks.
• Next, carefully fold in 1 and 1/2 cups of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and the majority of your crumbled bacon (remember to reserve the garnish portion). Mix until these savory additions are evenly distributed throughout the potato mixture, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.

• Transfer the entire potato mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Gently press it down to form a compact layer.
• Generously sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. This will create a beautiful golden, bubbly cheese crust that is irresistible.

• Bake the casserole in the 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is gloriously bubbly and has started to brown in spots on top, indicating perfect readiness. The edges should be golden, and the center heated through.
• Remove the Twice Baked Potato Casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the cheese to set slightly and the flavors to meld, making it easier to serve and even more enjoyable. Garnish generously with your reserved crispy bacon bits and freshly minced chives. Serve hot and enjoy every comforting spoonful!

Pro Tips for the Perfect Potato Casserole

To ensure your Twice Baked Potato Casserole is nothing short of spectacular, keep these expert tips in mind. These small details can make a big difference in the final taste and texture of your dish:

• Dry Those Potatoes Thoroughly: Patting the cut potato chunks completely dry with paper towels before roasting is absolutely critical. Excess moisture can prevent them from crisping up nicely, leading to a steamed rather than beautifully roasted and slightly crispy texture.
• Don’t Overcook the Roasting Stage: Roast the potatoes until they are just tender and golden brown. They will continue to cook in the casserole during the final bake, so you want them perfectly cooked but not mushy before they go into the mixture.
• Uniform Potato Chunks: Strive to cut your potatoes into roughly equal-sized pieces. This ensures they cook evenly during the initial roasting stage, preventing some from being undercooked and others from becoming too soft.
• Flavor Layering is Key: Don’t skimp on seasoning the potatoes generously with kosher salt and black pepper before roasting. This builds a foundational layer of flavor that carries through and enhances the entire finished dish.
• Cool Melted Butter Slightly: When preparing the sour cream sauce, ensure your melted butter has cooled slightly before whisking it with the sour cream. Adding hot butter to cold sour cream can cause the mixture to separate or curdle, which will negatively affect the creamy, smooth texture of your sauce.
• Freshly Shredded Cheese for Best Melt: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, freshly shredded sharp cheddar melts more smoothly and provides a richer flavor. This is because pre-shredded varieties often contain anti-caking agents that can hinder a perfect melt.
• Gentle Mixing is Best: Once you add the roasted potatoes, cheese, and bacon to the sour cream mixture, stir just enough to combine everything thoroughly. Overmixing can break down the potatoes too much, leading to a gummy or pasty texture that diminishes the casserole’s appeal.
• Rest Before Serving: Always allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This crucial step allows the cheese and sauce to set slightly, making it much easier to scoop and serve, and ensuring the flavors have time to fully meld together.

Delicious Variations and Customizations

One of the best things about this Twice Baked Potato Casserole is its incredible adaptability. While the classic version is fantastic, feel free to experiment with these delicious variations to customize it to your taste or what you have on hand:

• Add More Veggies: For an extra boost of flavor and nutrition, consider folding in sautéed onions, finely diced bell peppers, or even blanched and finely chopped broccoli into the potato mixture. Caramelized onions would add a wonderful sweetness.
• Herbaceous Boost: Incorporate fresh herbs like chopped parsley, dill, or thyme along with the chives for a different aromatic profile. Rosemary or sage can also add a delightful earthy note, especially when paired with bacon.
• Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of your favorite hot sauce, or even some smoked paprika can add a wonderful kick and depth of flavor to the casserole.
• Cheese Please! While sharp cheddar is a classic for a reason, don’t hesitate to experiment with a blend of cheeses. Gouda, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or even a touch of cream cheese (added to the sour cream mixture) can add new dimensions of flavor and creaminess. A sprinkle of Parmesan on top for the last few minutes of baking creates an extra crispy crust.
• Protein Power: For a heartier meal that can stand alone, stir in cooked, diced ham, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even crumbled sausage with the bacon. This transforms a side dish into a complete and satisfying entrée.
• Crispy Topping: For an extra layer of crunch, mix a quarter cup of panko breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of melted butter and sprinkle over the top before the final bake, along with the cheese. This adds a delightful textural contrast.

Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead Convenience

This casserole is not only delicious freshly baked but also incredibly convenient for meal prepping and enjoying leftovers, making it a truly versatile dish.

• To Store: Allow any leftover casserole to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container or simply cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor.
• To Reheat:
  • Oven Method (Recommended for Best Results): For the best texture and flavor, place the desired portion of leftover casserole in an oven-safe dish. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying, and bake in a 300°F (150°C) oven until thoroughly heated through and bubbling again, usually around 20-30 minutes, depending on the portion size.
  • Microwave Method (For Quick Reheating): For a quicker reheat, place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until warmed to your liking. Note that the texture may be slightly softer than when reheated in the oven.
• To Make Ahead: This casserole is an excellent make-ahead dish, perfect for entertaining or busy schedules. Prepare the casserole completely as directed, up to the point of baking. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator while your oven preheats to 350°F (175°C) to allow it to come closer to room temperature. You may need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time (totaling closer to 30-35 minutes) to ensure it’s heated through to the center and the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe

This Twice Baked Potato Casserole isn’t just another side dish; it’s a celebration of comfort food, thoughtfully simplified for the modern kitchen. It’s hearty, incredibly satisfying, bursting with savory flavors, and guaranteed to become an instant family favorite that everyone will request again and again. The irresistible combination of creamy Yukon Gold potatoes, salty, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, all baked to a bubbly, golden perfection, is simply unmatched. Whether you’re hosting a grand holiday dinner, bringing a show-stopping dish to a potluck, or simply craving a delicious and easy weeknight meal that feels like a special treat, this casserole delivers every single time.

It’s the ultimate hassle-free way to enjoy all the goodness of loaded baked potatoes without the individual effort, making it a clever and delicious choice for any occasion. Prepare to be amazed by its effortless preparation and truly incredible taste!

We absolutely love seeing your delicious culinary creations! If you whip up this Easy Twice Baked Potato Casserole, please snap a picture and share it with us on Instagram @thebakermama. Don’t forget to tag us so we can admire your culinary skills and celebrate your kitchen successes! For more recipe inspiration, engaging discussions, and to connect with a vibrant community of fellow food lovers, be sure to join our Friends of The BakerMama group on Facebook. We cherish seeing how you bring our recipes to life and how inspired and creative you get with the ideas we share. Enjoy every comforting bite and happy cooking!

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Print Recipe

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

• Author: The BakerMama
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 70 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6-8 servings

Print Recipe

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Description

Tender chunks of baked potato, salty bacon, and cheddar cheese in a rich sour cream sauce baked hot and bubbly. Twice Baked Potato Casserole is your favorite potatoes made easy!

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Ingredients

• 6 large Yukon gold potatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• 6 slices thick bacon, cooked, crumbled and divided (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 and 1/2 cups sour cream
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• Minced chives, for garnishing

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Wash and then cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Pat the potato chunks dry.
3. Place the potato chunks on the prepared sheet pan and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spread into an even layer and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
4. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and starting to crisp all over, stirring occasionally.
5. Meanwhile, cook bacon until crispy. Let cool and then crumble into bits. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the crumbled bacon to garnish the casserole with after it bakes.
6. Remove the potatoes from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8 or 9-inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
7. Add the sour cream, melted butter and garlic salt to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine well.
8. Transfer the baked potato chunks to the mixing bowl and stir to coat the potatoes well in the sour cream mixture.
9. Fold in 1 and 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and the crumbled bacon until well distributed.
10. Transfer the potato mixture to the prepared baking dish.
11. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese over the potatoes in the baking dish.
12. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and start to brown in spots on top.
13. Serve garnished with reserved bacon bits and minced chives.

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