This Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Is The Perfect Comfort Food

If you need a comforting side dish that’s basically guaranteed to be a winner with even the pickiest of eaters, this loaded mashed potato casserole will provide exactly what you’re looking for. Buttery, creamy and satisfying, this is far from your average mashed potato side dish.

Packed with smokey bacon, cheese, sour cream and chives — just like a “loaded” baked potato — this recipe is easy to whip up and makes for a great addition to any dinner table.

Becky Hardin of The Cookie Rookie blog notes the recipe is creamy, rich and, most importantly, easy to make ahead of time, making this a great dish for holidays, potlucks or even game days.

“This casserole can be made up to two days ahead of time, so it’s a great option if you are planning to serve [it] as part of a big feast,” Hardin writes on her blog.

Hardin loves this recipe because it can feed up to 10 people but can easily be halved or doubled. Best of all it’s easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have at home.

Another great make-ahead option is this Twice Baked Potato Casserole from Spend With Pennies. Blogger Holly Nilsson notes the recipe can be made up to two full days in advance and will bake and bubble up nicely once you pop it in the oven.

Nilsson also touts the impressive versatility of this recipe, noting you can use leftover potatoes or make her Crock Pot Baked Potatoes to start off your Twice Baked Potato Casserole. If you’re short on time, you can even just boil some potatoes with a couple of cloves of garlic and use those!

Nilsson also notes you can add anything you’d like to this recipe. She recommends changing out the cheeses or stirring in some roasted garlic or even leftover chicken.

Who’s ready to take try one of these recipes and take their mashed potatoes to the next level?