When the holidays roll around, the main course often gets all the attention. But let’s be honest, the side dishes are where the real fun is. They can make or break a festive meal.
If you are looking for a showstopping Side Dish For Christmas Party that everyone will love, you have come to the right place. This twice baked potato casserole is everything you want in a holiday dish. It is warm, cheesy, and full of comforting flavor.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this dish is a serious crowd pleaser. Who doesn’t love creamy mashed potatoes loaded with cheese and savory beef bacon? It’s a classic comfort food combination that feels special enough for a holiday.
It’s also surprisingly easy to put together. While it has a couple of steps, none of them are complicated. It is a great recipe for beginners or anyone who wants a big flavor payoff without a ton of effort.
Another great thing is that it’s one of those amazing Christmas Sides Dishes Make Ahead options. You can assemble the entire casserole a day or two in advance. Then, just pop it in the oven before your guests arrive. This saves so much time and stress.
This casserole is a wonderful addition to your list of Christmas Meal Ideas Sides. It pairs beautifully with turkey, ham, or roast beef. It is hearty enough to be satisfying but won’t overshadow your main dish.
Ingredients
- ½ pound beef bacon
- 8 medium russet potatoes, about 6 pounds
- 3 Tablespoons canola oil
- 2 sticks salted butter, softened and sliced into cubes
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 3 green onions, sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients And Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s heating up, go ahead and take out your butter, sour cream, and milk. You want them to be at room temperature. This helps them mix smoothly with the warm potatoes later on.
Step 2: Bake The Potatoes
Give your russet potatoes a good scrub under running water. Pat them completely dry with a towel. Then, rub them all over with canola oil. This helps the skins get nice and crispy.
Place the oiled potatoes on a baking sheet. Bake them for about 40 minutes. You’ll know they are ready when you can easily slice through one with a knife. No resistance means they are perfectly cooked.
Step 3: Cook The Beef Bacon
While the potatoes are in the oven, it’s time to cook the beef bacon. Place the strips in a large pan over low heat. Cooking it slowly is the key to getting it crispy without burning.
As the edges start to curl, use tongs to flip the pieces over. Keep flipping them periodically until they are evenly cooked and golden brown. Set them on a paper towel lined plate to cool. The paper towel will soak up any extra grease.
Step 4: Prepare The Potato Filling
Once the potatoes are done, carefully remove them from the oven. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Let the potatoes cool just enough so you can handle them.
Now for the fun part. We want to keep the skins on two of the potatoes for extra texture. For the other six, carefully peel the skins off and discard them. This mix gives the dish a great feel.
Cut each potato into thirds and place them in a large mixing bowl. Crumble up most of the cooled beef bacon and add it to the bowl. Make sure to save some for topping the casserole later.
Add the softened butter, sour cream, one cup of grated cheddar cheese, and the seasoned salt. Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Give everything a rough mash with a potato masher or a large fork.
Step 5: Get The Right Consistency
Now it’s time to add the milk. Pour it in gradually, a little at a time. Mash the potatoes between each addition. This ensures you get the exact consistency you want.
Some people like their potatoes thicker, others like them creamier. I usually end up using the whole cup of milk, but doing it slowly puts you in control. Stop when the mixture looks just right to you.
Step 6: Assemble And Bake The Casserole
Lightly grease a 9 by 13 baking dish. Transfer your creamy potato mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly. This will soon become your favorite Side Dish For Christmas Party.
Sprinkle the reserved beef bacon crumbles over the top. Then, add a generous layer of additional shredded cheese. More cheese is always a good idea when it comes to Christmas Food Dinner Side Dishes.
Bake the casserole uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for the cheese to be melted and bubbly, and the casserole to be heated all the way through. Top with fresh sliced green onions and serve it warm.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is simple. Let the casserole cool down to room temperature first. Then, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
You can also transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for individual portions or bake the entire dish at 350 degrees until warmed through.
This is one of the best Christmas Dinner Recipes Sides because of how well it keeps. Preparing it ahead makes your holiday cooking schedule so much easier.
Tips
For the creamiest potatoes, make sure your butter, sour cream, and milk are at room temperature. Cold dairy can make the potatoes gummy when you mix them in.
Don’t overmix the potatoes. A few lumps are perfectly fine and add to the homemade texture. Overmixing can release too much starch and make them gluey.
Feel free to get creative with the cheese. While cheddar is a classic choice, a mix of Monterey Jack, Colby, or even a little bit of smoked Gouda would be delicious.
Want to add a little extra flavor? A pinch of garlic powder or onion powder in the potato mixture can add another layer of savory taste. This is such a versatile Side Dish For Christmas Party.
Conclusion
There you have it. A truly wonderful recipe for a twice baked potato casserole. It’s the kind of dish that brings smiles to everyone’s faces at the holiday table. It is warm, comforting, and packed with flavor.
This is more than just another recipe. It’s an opportunity to create a memorable meal for your loved ones. We hope this becomes your new favorite Side Dish For Christmas Party for years to come. Enjoy the delicious results and the happy holidays.
FAQ
Can I Make This Recipe Vegetarian?
Absolutely. To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the beef bacon. You can add some sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions for a savory flavor. There are also many plant based bacon alternatives available that would work well.
Can I Prepare This Casserole In Advance?
Yes, this is one of the best Christmas Sides Dishes Make Ahead. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to two days. When you are ready to serve, just bake it as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.
What Kind Of Potatoes Are Best For This Dish?
Russet potatoes are the top choice for this recipe. They have a high starch content, which makes them light and fluffy when baked and mashed. This texture is what you want for a creamy casserole. Other starchy potatoes like Idaho potatoes would also work well.
What Can I Serve With This Casserole?
This casserole is a fantastic part of your Christmas Food Dinner Side Dishes lineup. It pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a prime rib roast. It also goes well with other sides like green bean casserole, roasted vegetables, and dinner rolls.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
This warm, cheesy, and comforting twice baked potato casserole is a showstopping side dish perfect for any holiday party. Easy to make ahead and loaded with flavor, it’s a family-friendly crowd-pleaser.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s heating up, go ahead and take out your butter, sour cream, and milk. You want them to be at room temperature. This helps them mix smoothly with the warm potatoes later on.
- Give your russet potatoes a good scrub under running water. Pat them completely dry with a towel. Then, rub them all over with canola oil. This helps the skins get nice and crispy.
- Place the oiled potatoes on a baking sheet. Bake them for about 40 minutes. You’ll know they are ready when you can easily slice through one with a knife. No resistance means they are perfectly cooked.
- While the potatoes are in the oven, it’s time to cook the beef bacon. Place the strips in a large pan over low heat. Cooking it slowly is the key to getting it crispy without burning.
- As the edges start to curl, use tongs to flip the pieces over. Keep flipping them periodically until they are evenly cooked and golden brown. Set them on a paper towel lined plate to cool. The paper towel will soak up any extra grease.
- Once the potatoes are done, carefully remove them from the oven. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Let the potatoes cool just enough so you can handle them.
- Now for the fun part. We want to keep the skins on two of the potatoes for extra texture. For the other six, carefully peel the skins off and discard them. This mix gives the dish a great feel.
- Cut each potato into thirds and place them in a large mixing bowl. Crumble up most of the cooled beef bacon and add it to the bowl. Make sure to save some for topping the casserole later.
- Add the softened butter, sour cream, one cup of grated cheddar cheese, and the seasoned salt. Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Give everything a rough mash with a potato masher or a large fork.
- Now it’s time to add the milk. Pour it in gradually, a little at a time. Mash the potatoes between each addition. This ensures you get the exact consistency you want.
- Some people like their potatoes thicker, others like them creamier. I usually end up using the whole cup of milk, but doing it slowly puts you in control. Stop when the mixture looks just right to you.
- Lightly grease a 9 by 13 baking dish. Transfer your creamy potato mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly. This will soon become your favorite Side Dish For Christmas Party.
- Sprinkle the reserved beef bacon crumbles over the top. Then, add a generous layer of additional shredded cheese. More cheese is always a good idea when it comes to Christmas Food Dinner Side Dishes.
- Bake the casserole uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for the cheese to be melted and bubbly, and the casserole to be heated all the way through. Top with fresh sliced green onions and serve it warm.
Notes
For the creamiest potatoes, make sure your butter, sour cream, and milk are at room temperature. Cold dairy can make the potatoes gummy when you mix them in.
Don’t overmix the potatoes. A few lumps are perfectly fine and add to the homemade texture. Overmixing can release too much starch and make them gluey.
Feel free to get creative with the cheese. While cheddar is a classic choice, a mix of Monterey Jack, Colby, or even a little bit of smoked Gouda would be delicious.
Want to add a little extra flavor? A pinch of garlic powder or onion powder in the potato mixture can add another layer of savory taste. This is such a versatile Side Dish For Christmas Party.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
