This Twice Baked Potato Casserole recipe from The Pioneer Woman is an easy make ahead side dish idea for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any family dinner!
2sticks salted buttersoftened and sliced into cubes.
1cupsour cream
1cupwhole milk
1cupgrated cheddar cheeseplus more for topping
2teaspoonsseasoned salt
3green onionssliced
Salt and pepperto taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400° F.
Take out the butter, sour cream, and milk and set them aside, they shouldn’t be cold when combined with the potatoes.
Scrub the potatoes clean. Wipe them dry and rub them with canola oil. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes, until they can be easily sliced through.
While the potatoes bake, cook the bacon in a large pan slowly on low heat. As the edges begin to curl, use tongs to flip them over periodically until evenly cooked. Set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate to cool once finished.
Remove the potatoes from the oven and decrease the heat to 350 degrees.
Leave the skins on two of the potatoes and peel and discard the remaining skins. Cut each potato into thirds and add them to a large mixing bowl.
Crumble the cooked bacon and set some aside for topping the casserole. Add the rest to the mixing bowl along with the butter, sour cream, grated cheese, seasoned salt, and salt and pepper. Give it a rough mash.
Add the milk gradually, mashed in between additions, until desired consistency is obtained. (I usually add all of it, but doing it gradually will ensure your desired consistency is obtained.)
Transfer to a lightly greased 9 x 13 baking dish.
Top with reserved bacon and additional shredded cheese.
Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes. Top with sliced green onions and serve!
Notes
Make-Ahead Method
-This casserole can be prepared up to two days ahead of time. You will prepare the entire casserole as noted in the recipe but you'll hold off on baking it until you're ready to serve it, and will need to refrigerate it until then.-When you're ready to bake it, you'll want to cover the top and bake for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the top, and bake for 25 minutes.
Crock Pot Method
Follow the instructions as outlined, but assemble the casserole in the Crock Pot instead of a casserole dish.Heat on low for 2 hours or on high for 1 hour. Once the cheese is melted, switch it to warm.Garnish with green onions just before serving.