Creamy, cheesy, and decadent Twice Baked Potato Casserole is an easy to make side dish that everyone loves! This simple casserole checks all of the right boxes, with butter, bacon, and cheese in each soft, pillowy bite.

close up on potato casserole baked with cheese, bacon bits, green onions

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Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

One of our most popular dishes here on The Cookie Rookie is the classic twice-baked potatoes recipe. However, a loaded baked potato casserole might just be even better. Each bite is so creamy and buttery!

Along with creamy mashed potatoes, you’ll find ingredients like melted Colby Jack cheese, green onions, and crumbled bacon in this twice-baked potato casserole. The best part is that it’s so incredibly easy to make!

Feel free to toss on a little extra bacon and cheese!

Why You’ll Love this Potato Casserole Recipe:

  • Flavorful: With ingredients like Colby Jack cheese and bacon crumbles, this casserole is anything but bland. Oh, and the green onions add a delightfully fresh element!
  • Decadent: With ingredients like butter, sour cream, and heavy cream, this is a deliciously decadent and creamy potato casserole.
  • Make Ahead: Yes! This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and easily baked when you’re ready to serve it.

Twice baked potato casserole is the best comfort dish for when you need some cheesy, warm, bacon-filled potatoes!

overhead view of a twice baked potato casserole in a white dish
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serving spoon scooping into baked potato casserole

How to Make Twice Baked Potato Casserole

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Preheat your oven and prepare a baking dish.
  2. Mash the potatoes, and stir in the ingredients.
  3. Spread potato mixture in a baking dish.
  4. Bake with foil, then without.
  5. Garnish, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  • If you’d like to use turkey bacon instead, that works too! Just make sure it’s cooked to a crumble like consistency before mixing it in with the other ingredients.
  • For best results, always grate your own cheese. It makes a huge difference!
  • Removing the foil at the end of the bake time makes the cheese perfectly bubbly and golden.
how to make twice baked potato casserole step by step photo instructions
loaded baked potato casserole with a large serving spoon
What kind of potatoes are best for twice baked potato casserole?

I love using russet potatoes for this casserole recipe. They’re typically what I choose for classic baked potatoes and mash and bake perfectly. Instead of russet potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes are great alternative.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the casserole through step 5. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator and continue with step 6. Because the casserole mixture will be cold, it may need a few minutes longer in the oven to heat all the way through.

Can I use pre-made mashed potatoes?

While freshly prepared mashed potatoes are best, you can certainly use pre-made (or leftover) mashed potatoes in this casserole recipe. Skip step 2, use about 4 cups of mashed potatoes and continue with the recipe in step 3.

How can I make a vegetarian version?

For a vegetarian twice baked potato casserole, simply omit the bacon – no other changes needed.

Can I use any kind of cheese?

Definitely. Use 2 cups of your favorite kind of shredded cheese. For best results, use block cheese and grate it yourself – pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well as freshly shredded cheese.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes! To serve a crowd (16-20 people), simply double all of the ingredients and bake in a 3-quart baking dish.

Serving Suggestions

Here are just a few of my favorite entrees to serve alongside this easy side dish!

If you’re heading to a potluck, this twice baked potato casserole is just the dish to have handy. It’s got all the right ingredients that people know and love!

close up on a serving spoon scooping out a serving of casserole
casserole dish filled with twice baked potato casserole

Tips!

  • When it comes to bacon, you can never have too much. Measure it with your heart!
  • Don’t forget to remove the foil at the end! The cheese is so tasty on top from those last few minutes of baking without foil.
  • Use a full fat, not low fat sour cream for the most dense results.

Of all the ways to use up a few plain russet potatoes, this has got to be the most satisfying!

What can I use if I don’t have a potato masher?

If you don’t have a potato masher, use a hand or stand mixer to mash the potatoes.

What can I use in place of sour cream?

Instead of sour cream, use the same amount of plain Greek yogurt. It’s just as creamy and tangy!

Can I make this recipe with sweet potatoes?

This twice baked potato casserole would be delicious with baked sweet potatoes. Swap russet potatoes for baked sweet potatoes and continue with the recipe as written.

More Easy Side Dish Recipes We Love

overhead view of loaded baked potato casserole
scooping a serving of twice baked potato casserole

In a world filled with new and exciting recipes, sometimes, it can be comforting to just stick with the classics. Twice baked potato casserole has all of the ingredients you know, love, and crave that are tried and true!

More Cheesy Casserole Recipes to Try:

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe Card

Twice Baked Potato Casserole Recipe

4.34 from 3 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 10
Author: Becky Hardin
twice baked potato casserole
Creamy, cheesy, and decadent Twice Baked Potato Casserole is an easy to make side dish that everyone loves! This simple casserole checks all of the right boxes, with butter, bacon, and cheese in each soft, pillowy bite. 
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Ingredients 

  • 8 medium russet potatoes baked and warm
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
  • cup sour cream
  • cup heavy cream plus more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese divided
  • 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, divided
  • 5 green onions chopped, divided

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 1 ½-quart baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
  • Slice the warm baked potatoes in half length-wise. Scoop the potato flesh out of the potato skins and place into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and use a potato masher to mash the potatoes.
    8 medium russet potatoes, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    mashing up potatoes with a potato masher
  • Stir in the sour cream, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. For a creamier casserole, add a little more cream.
    ⅔ cup sour cream, ⅓ cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    mashed potatoes, cream, and seasoning in a mixing bowl, before combining
  • Add 1 cup of cheese, half of the bacon, and half of the green onions. Mix well.
    2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, 8 slices bacon, 5 green onions
    mashed potato mixture topped with bacon bits, cheese, and green onions
  • Transfer the potato mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread into an even layer and top with the remaining cheese and bacon.
    casserole topped with cheese and bacon bits
  • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is warmed through. Garnish with green onions and serve.

Becky’s Tips

Storage: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Calories: 395kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 12gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 517mgPotassium: 821mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 649IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 213mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.34 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)
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2 Comments
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lil
lil
November 16, 2022 12:24 pm

can his be made the night before and bsked this next day

Samantha Marceau
November 16, 2022 1:00 pm
Reply to  lil

Yes!