Hey, friends!
Who doesn’t love a good comfort food? Today, I’m excited to share my ultimate mashed potatoes recipe!
These aren’t just any mashed potatoes; they’re loaded with crispy bacon and creamy cheese.
Talk about a flavor explosion!
Perfect as a side dish or even all by themselves.
Let’s dive in and get those potatoes ready!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-40 minutes |
| Total Time | 45-60 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Ingredients
For the mashed potatoes:
- 2 lb gold potatoes (peeled and quartered for even cooking)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (full-fat for richness)
- 8 oz bacon (crisply cooked and crumbled)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (Tillamook brand recommended for flavor)
- butter
- black pepper (freshly ground for best aroma)
- 1 large pinch salt
For the garnish:
- chives (freshly chopped)
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Peel the gold potatoes (or russets) and place them in a pot.
If you’re using a lot of potatoes, you can keep them in cold water to prevent browning.
Fill the pot with cold water until the potatoes are just covered.
Add a generous pinch of salt.
Step 2: Cook the Potatoes
Bring the pot to a boil and cook the potatoes until they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
Once the potatoes are tender, drain them in a colander and transfer them to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
Step 3: Cook the Bacon
While the potatoes are cooking, slice the bacon into small strips (lardons) and place them in a large pan over medium heat.
Cook until crispy.
Prepare the chives by trimming and slicing them.
You can wrap them in a damp paper towel to hold them together while cutting.
Step 4: Mix the Potatoes
Add cold butter to the hot potatoes in the stand mixer bowl.
The heat from the potatoes will melt the butter.
Mix the potatoes until smooth, allowing steam to escape for easier mashing.
Add sour cream and shredded cheese to the potatoes, adjusting the amount to your taste.
Step 5: Add Bacon and Season
Add the cooked bacon to the potato mixture, reserving some for garnish.
Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste, mixing well.
Step 6: Fold in Chives and Serve
Finally, fold in the sliced chives, reserving some for garnish.
Transfer the loaded mashed potatoes to a serving bowl and top with the reserved bacon and chives.
Serve and enjoy your loaded mashed potatoes!
