This Cheesy Bacon Potato Casserole is the ultimate comfort food — creamy, savory, and topped with crispy bacon. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a potluck gathering, it's a dish that's sure to please any crowd.
Russet potatoes are the backbone of this casserole, offering a sturdy texture that holds up well during baking. Bacon adds a smoky, savory note that pairs beautifully with the cheese and potatoes. Sour cream gives the dish a creamy tang, while cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese melt to create a gooey, cheesy layer. Green onions bring a fresh pop of flavor and color. Finally, unsalted butter helps to bind everything together and enrich the overall taste.
This casserole pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad to balance the richness. It’s also great alongside roasted chicken or grilled sausages for a hearty meal. For gatherings, serve it with a variety of sides like steamed vegetables or garlic bread.
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that it's hot enough to cook the casserole evenly. Then, peel and slice the potatoes into thin rounds — think potato chip thickness. This helps them cook through quickly and evenly, giving you that perfect tender bite.
Next, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it's nice and crispy. Once it's cool enough to handle, crumble it into pieces. This will be a key flavor component, so don’t skimp on the crispiness!
In a large bowl, mix together the sour cream, both kinds of cheese, and butter. This is your creamy base. Add in the sliced potatoes, crumbled bacon, and green onions. Mix everything well, ensuring each slice of potato is coated.
Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, the bacon and cheese are salty, so you might not need much additional seasoning.
Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover it with foil to trap the steam and help cook the potatoes evenly. Bake for 45 minutes. The foil cover helps soften the potatoes by trapping steam.
After 45 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving that golden, bubbly top that makes this dish so enticing. Once done, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This resting time helps everything set up nicely.