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Cozy Twice Baked Potato Casserole Recipe Perfect for Easter Dinner

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A creamy, cheesy twice baked potato casserole with crispy bacon and green onions, perfect for Easter dinner or any cozy gathering. Easy to make ahead and loved by all ages.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large russet potatoes (about 2 pounds / 900 g)
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (120 ml)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (170 g)
  • 6 slices bacon (cooked crisp and crumbled, optional but recommended)
  • 3 stalks green onions (thinly sliced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup milk (whole or 2%, 60 ml)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the russet potatoes clean and pat dry. Pierce each potato with a fork a few times to let steam escape during baking. Place them directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes until the potatoes are tender when poked with a skewer.
  2. While the potatoes bake, chop bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan, add minced garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  3. Once potatoes are cool enough to handle, halve them lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the insides into a large mixing bowl, leaving about 1/4 inch of potato flesh around the skin to keep the shells sturdy.
  4. Mash the scooped potato with butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and milk. Stir in garlic, green onions (reserve some for garnish), salt, pepper, and half the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. Fold in the crispy bacon pieces, reserving some for topping. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash more milk to loosen.
  6. Spoon the potato mixture back into the potato skins or transfer it all to a buttered casserole dish.
  7. Top with remaining cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and extra green onions.
  8. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden, and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Bake potatoes the day before to save time. Use room temperature dairy for smoother mash. Reserve some bacon and green onions for topping. For extra crispy top, broil casserole 2-3 minutes at the end. Handle potato skins gently to avoid breaking.

Nutrition

Keywords: twice baked potato casserole, Easter dinner, comfort food, cheesy potato casserole, bacon potato casserole, easy potato side dish

Find it online: https://lunafeast.com/cozy-twice-baked-potato-casserole-recipe-perfect-for-easter-dinner/