The Best Homemade Loaded Baked Potato Casserole Ideas for You and Your Family to Try

When it is time for comfort food, you know you need it, and you may not know exactly what it is you want. Have you considered trying the best loaded baked potato casserole recipe known to make? This easy loaded baked potato casserole for beginners is total comfort food. 

Thankfully, there are many homemade loaded baked potato casserole ideas and a great a mix of flavors that will delight you and your family’s palate. This simple loaded baked potato casserole meal is easy to make, making it perfect for any time you are hungry. 

You could even use it for your next gathering or picnic. Do you have a potluck dinner coming up? Bring this quick loaded baked potato casserole recipe, and you’ll be the star of the day.

This family friendly loaded baked potato casserole is loaded with flavors, including the natural tastiness of a potato. It also mixes well with bacon and other ingredients to create a rich and filling meal that goes well as a main dish or even a side. 

Try it with sour cream: you’ll thank us later!

One last thing we think you’ll like: It is super easy to make it! That’s perfect for anyone on a budget and, since we think it will be enjoyed by just about anybody, a wise investment for your family.

We eat it about once a month at my home!

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Made with real potatoes – we suggest buying the freshest and tastiest ones
• It’s an incredibly easy potato casserole recipe even beginners can master
• You’ll get cheesy potatoes, which is always a very popular side
• It works great for parties, potlucks, or weeknight meals when you’re feeling lazy
• Most people find it very easy to vary with slight substitutions and changes

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Baking Potatoes: Russets typically cook best for the best loaded baked potato casserole recipe, so use them when you can. However, you could substitute Sweet Potatoes or even add mushrooms or spinach for a new flavor.
• Sour Cream: You definitely need sour cream for this easy loaded baked potato casserole for beginners meal,  though mashing your potatoes can give them a creamier taste as well. Greek yogurt works well as a healthy substitute.
• Mayonnaise: A little mayonnaise gives this simple loaded baked potato casserole meal a lot of flavor. If you want a healthy loaded baked potato casserole version, try hummus instead!
• Bacon Bits: Bacon bits help make this a quick loaded baked potato casserole recipe; otherwise, you’d have to cook bacon separately. Cool homemade loaded baked potato casserole ideas for replacements include sunflower seeds or cashews.
• Butter: Adding a little butter makes your family friendly loaded baked potato casserole even creamier and tastier. Why margarine may work well as an alternative, options like coconut oil, ghee, and even olive oil are healthier.

How to Make It

Pro tip: while your oven is preheating, start scrubbing your potatoes and pricking their sides. This not only saves you time but also helps your potatoes look better. Try this with our twice-baked potato casserole!

Now, your potatoes are going to bake for an hour! Go ahead and start melting your butter before mixing it with sour cream, mayonnaise, onion, ranch dressing mix, and bacon bits. It’ll give you something to do!

Don’t try cutting your potatoes right away! We know they look good, but give them 20 minutes to cool. While you wait, decrease your oven temperature to 350 degrees.

What shape works best for your potatoes? Flat wedges. They absorb the mix perfectly! Plop them into the bowl and mix them by hand. It works better and is more fun! Not something you could do with our baked potato soup!

Stirring the ingredients to a nice texture

Coating those fat potatoes perfectly

Sheer perfection!

By now, your oven should be at the right temperature. Layer your potatoes evenly in a baking dish. Pro tip: glass works best for giving your potatoes an even texture.

While this recipe calls for a 45-minute wait, don’t pull them out until they’re bubbly. You’ll thank us for those perfectly tender potatoes when they’re done!

Tips for Success

• Poke your potatoes with a fork to prepare them: there’s no need to boil them before you start
• While the recipe asks to peel the potatoes, they do not need to be peeled, as the skins actually add a layer of flavor to the casserole
• Cut away any eyes you find on your potatoes because most people really don’t like them
• Give your oven at least 15-20 minutes to preheat for a proper and even temperature 
• Wait at least five minutes before eating, as the potato’s insides are often quite hot
• Wipe down the potatoes when they’re done to get rid of unnecessary juices 

Storage & Reheating

When storing the best loaded baked potato casserole recipe after dinner, let it cool to room temperature. Now, transfer your simple loaded baked potato casserole meal into an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator.

Store leftovers of your easy loaded baked potato casserole for beginners in the refrigerator for four days.

You can also freeze your quick loaded baked potato casserole recipe for up to four months in the freezer after wrapping it in the proper container.

Interested in reheating your family friendly loaded baked potato casserole later? If it was in the refrigerator, let it sit on the counter for a short time to reach room temperature.

Place the dish on a baking tray and into a preheated 350-degrees Fahrenheit oven for 20 minutes or until heated through. You could also use the microwave to reheat it for 1 to 2 minutes.

Use the same cooking techniques when reheating your baked potato casserole. However, you should let it sit in the sink overnight for 1-2 hours before recooking or in your fridge overnight to help it warm up enough to cook.

Serving Suggests

• Serve ASAP to get the best taste possible 
• Spoon with broccoli and carrots for a nice taste combination 
• Garlic bread goes amazingly well with this dish
• Drizzle a little BBQ sauce on the side for a surprising kick 
• Don’t be afraid to swap out different meat types if you prefer them

Notes

In my house, we call this our “Sunday Morning Special!” The kids and I get together, prepare the ingredients, and cook this dish as a family. They love cleaning the potatoes, mixing up everything, and taste-testing it throughout the process.

My son, in particular, has to be chased away from opening the oven to watch it cook! There’s just something magical about this dish that makes it so appealing, and I know that you and yours will get the same joy out of it that we do!

SAVE this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Related Recipes You Might Enjoy:

Spicy Sweet Potatoes – This is definitely one of my favorite side dishes to make. The spicy and sweet combination makes a great addition to any meal.

Broccoli Stuffed Potatoes – Are you looking for something different? Besides that typical chicken dinner or lasagna?

Melting Potatoes – Simply amazing and delicious! We enjoy crispy potatoes very much!