Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole is the best comfort food with layers of real, sliced potatoes, bacon, onions, cheese and more! Perfect for any occasion!
Best Cheesy Potatoes
Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole. Just the name of this recipe screams comfort food! Potatoes, bacon, and cheese are three of my favorite things!! My friend Marcel passed this recipe on to me and it has been a family favorite ever since!
This casserole takes a little bit of effort to prepare but the end result it totally worth every second or I wouldn’t have this easy cheesy potato casserole in our regular rotation for so many years.
The first step is to cook the potatoes. This step can be somewhat tricky. It is very important to not overcook the potatoes. If they cook too long they become mushy and trust me, no one wants a mushy potato.
One of my favorite flavors in this casserole are the onions. After you fry the bacon you leave some of the bacon grease in the pan and you will saute the onion in the bacon grease. They will soak up all that delicious bacon flavor and are so tasty!
The best part of this dish are all of the layers and there are so many amazing layers! You start with potatoes at the bottom and end up with a cheesy layer of goodness at the top. If that doesn’t tempt you to try the best cheesy potatoes I don’t know what will!
Bacon and Cheese Potato Bake
It doesn’t matter what you want to call this easy cheesy bacon and potato masterpiece, the fact is you will absolutely love it. Layer after layer of potatoes, fried onions, bacon, cheese, more potatoes, onions, bacon and more cheese. I know you get the idea.
If the casserole dish is deep enough, add another layer and possibly some extra time in the oven. You will know it is ready is the potatoes are fork tender! This bacon and cheese potato bake is definitely worth it. Boy oh boy is it ever.
Use as much or as little as you would like of each ingredient. Usually, I don’t even measure anything but then I have been making this casserole for a very long time.
All I know is that after a while you won’t measure anything either. I mean, why not add the extra slices of bacon if you are in the mood for it? It’s not like anyone will complain that there is ever too much bacon!
I doubt that is even possible but then you never know. After a while you see so much in life that you realize that anything is truly possible. I am sure some of you feel the exact same way.
That being said, I would appreciate you letting me know if anyone ever hears a complaint about too much bacon in this Bacon and Cheese Potato Bake! 😉 Now that I would really love to hear about!
Cheesy Potatoes with Real Potatoes
I enjoy easy potato casseroles using canned or frozen potatoes on occasion but there is something to be said for using fresh or real potatoes whenever possible and this recipe is no exception.
Unfortunately, this recipe will only work the way it is written with fresh potatoes and we experimented and were not able to achieve desired results with any other kind. No matter what we did were not happy enough to give you an alternative here and I wish we were.
The other thing I have to mention is that along with real potatoes you are going to have to use a real, unshredded, block or brick of cheese to make this recipe and enjoy the best cheesy potato casserole ever.
I know it is time consuming, and we all hate doing it, but I have to ask you to shred your cheese yourself. You will be so much happier with the results, even if you are cursing me while you are shredding your cheese yourself!
There are additives to store bought shredded cheese that prevent the cheese shreds from sticking together that will also make melting the shredded cheese more difficult.
My hope is that you will try this recipe at least once with cheese you shredded yourself just to see and taste the difference. I think you will be glad you did. I know I was.
Sliced Potato Casserole
This Sliced Potato Casserole can also be a sort of chunky or diced potato casserole as well as there are no rules here. You definitely have choices as long as you are using fresh potatoes and each piece is about the same proportion.
There are times when I slice these potatoes like scalloped potatoes, nice and thin, and there are moments when I roughly chop or dice them.
Usually the decision is made depending on how much time there is to get this amazing potato casserole into the oven! My mood sometimes can be a factor as well in my decision making process.
The bottom line is that no matter what this sliced potato casserole tastes great whether you slice ’em, dice ’em or chop ’em! It’s all about the onions, bacon, potatoes and cheese!
Cheesy Potato Casserole with Diced Potatoes
I figure after you try this casserole with diced potatoes, you will know which way is your favorite or which you prefer! Your casserole will cook evenly if your potatoes are all about the same size so make your decision and stick with it.
Whether you slice, dice or chop your potatoes this cheesy potato casserole will still be devoured by every potato lover out there. It’s impossible for that not to happen as this easy cheesy potato casserole is that good!
The bottom line is that this casserole tastes wonderfully no matter what, with sliced, chopped or diced potatoes, it is just about timing and personal preference.
Easy Cheesy Potatoes
These easy cheesy potatoes can include your favorite cheeses, in any combination. I generally reach for a cheddar or cheddar mozzarella blend because I almost always have that in the house.
Just to switch things up I love to also use a Colby Jack or Monterey Jack cheese as well. That cheese melts beautifully and has an incredibly mild flavor that tastes great with cheddar.
That being said, as usual the possibilities are truly endless as there are so many cheeses out there to make your own perfect version of Easy Cheesy Potatoes!
Swiss can be an amazing addition, especially with some sauteed mushrooms that are added with your onions, cooked in some of that bacon grease too. YUM!
I have thrown in little leftover pieces of cheese that I had in my fridge, just to get rid of them, and been pleasantly surprised at the results! I even have repeated the recipe using the same cheeses on purpose afterwards with both gouda and gruyere.
We enjoyed the gouda so much that I actually bought a small smoked gouda and it was wonderful too! Just a little piece, all shredded as best I could, makes a subtle but amazing world of difference.
Don’t be afraid or hesitate to try a new and different cheese, even a tiny bit of one or another ingredient in this super versatile easy cheesy potatoes recipe. You can create the best cheesy casserole that is perfect for you and your family!
All I ask is that if you modify this recipe in any way, and you enjoy it, please share exactly what you do so we can all give it a try! Together we will all become better in the kitchen!
Bacon and Potato Bake
Sometimes I add a lot of bacon to this dreamy bacon and potato bake. If I have a lot left in the package I will usually just throw it in because most people are under the assumption, and rightfully so, that bacon does make everything better. 😉
In this casserole the bacon adds wonderful flavor to bacon lovers but is definitely not a requirement. Add as much or as little as you want, or think your family will enjoy, and don’t forget to sprinkle a bunch on top!
There is also back or Canadian bacon and leftover ham to consider, as well as any other cooked meat, even leftovers will work. You can easily turn this tasty potato side dish into a meal just by adding a cooked protein or meat before baking.
Don’t knock it until you try it! Just increase your baking time slightly and the size of your casserole dish. This bacon and potato bake is done once you can pierce the potatoes easily with a fork.
Easy peasy every time!
Ingredients in the Best Cheesy Potatoes
- russet or Idaho potatoes
- bacon
- onions
- garlic
- pepper
- seasoned salt
- shredded cheese
- butter
- chicken broth
- cooking spray
How to make Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole
Prepare a 9×9 inch pan, or an equivalent sized casserole dish with cooking spray or butter. Sometimes I end up using a 9×13 inch pan if I prepare too many potatoes or if we want lots of layers we have a deep casserole dish to use instead. The decision is up to you. Set aside.
Next, add sliced, chopped or diced potatoes, to your pot of well salted boiling water, until starting to become tender, usually not more than 10 minutes.
Do not overcook the potatoes or they will become mushy! Exact timing is difficult to predict depending on the exact size of your potatoes. Drain.
In the meantime fry up your bacon pieces until crisp, in a large skillet, over medium heat. Drain on paper towel and set aside.
Keep a few tablespoons of the bacon fat in your skillet and add your sliced onions. Stir onions, over medium heat, until onions become very tender and start to brown.
Add garlic, combine with onions and remove from heat.
Cover the bottom of your prepared pan with potato slices or chunks.
Sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper.
Sprinkle onions all over top of your potatoes, then bacon, and cheese. Repeat.
Totally cover the top with your remaining potatoes. Try to cover any holes with potato.
Drizzle with melted butter, remaining bacon and some seasoned salt and pepper to taste.
Pour chicken broth over top of casserole and cover with cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Uncover and bake until cheese has totally melted and the top is golden brown, about another 15 minutes.
Allow to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving, if not 10.
Serve with sour cream if desired. Enjoy!
Cheesy Potatoes for a Crowd
This recipe can be easily doubled to accommodate a crowd of people for a family gathering or potluck, you just have to use a larger casserole dish, and adjust your cooking time, or two seperate casseroles! The choice is up to you!
All you need to do is test your cheesy potatoes for a crowd with a fork to make sure your potatoes are tender and cooked all the way through. No matter how large you make this casserole it is so easy to check.
If needed, once you know your potatoes are cooked you can always turn your oven up to broil and darken the top a little. Sometimes I do and other times I don’t. As always the decision is yours.
Bacon and Potato Recipes
Slow Cooker Bacon Breakfast Potatoes
Little Alfredo Bacon and Cheese Potatoes
Cheesy Baked Bacon Ranch Little Potatoes
Fully Loaded Hasselback Potatoes
Supreme Mashed Potato Casserole
Best Potato Dishes
Potato, Onion, Carrot and Green Bean Casserole
Oven Roasted Carrots and Potatoes
Slow Cooker Scalloped Alfredo Potatoes and Cauliflower
Cheesy Ranch Twice Baked Potato Boats
Awesome Cheesy Twice Baked Potato Boats
Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole Video
Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole
Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole is the best comfort food with layers of real, sliced potatoes, bacon, onions, cheese and more! Perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
- 5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and sliced into chunks or rounds
- salt
- 10 slices bacon, chopped, divided
- 4 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 1-2 tablespoons garlic, minced more or less to taste
- pepper
- seasoned salt
- 2-3 cups shredded cheese, divided more or less to taste
- 2-4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- cooking spray or butter, for greasing
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a 9x9 inch pan with cooking spray or butter. Sometimes I end up using a 9x13 inch pan if I prepare too many potatoes or if we want lots of layers we have a deep casserole dish to use instead. The decision is up to you. Set aside.
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Get out all of your ingredients.
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Wash and peel your potatoes. Slice or chop and set aside.
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Next, boil potatoes, in salted water, until starting to become tender, usually not more than 10 minutes. Do not overcook the potatoes or they will become mushy! Timing is difficult to predict depending on the size of your potatoes. Drain.
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In the meantime fry up your bacon pieces until crisp, as much or as little as you want to use, in a large skillet, over medium heat. Drain on paper towel, crumble and set aside.
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Keep a few tablespoons of the bacon fat in your skillet and add your sliced onions. Stir onions, over medium heat, until onions become very tender and start to brown.
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Add garlic, combine with onions and remove from heat.
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Cover the bottom of your prepared pan with potato slices or chunks.
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Sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper.
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Sprinkle onions all over top of your potatoes, then bacon,
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Add cheese. Repeat.
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More potatoes.
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Onions.
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Bacon.
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More cheese.
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Totally cover the top with your remaining potatoes. Try to cover any holes with potato.
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Drizzle with melted butter, remaining bacon and some seasoned salt and pepper to taste.
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Pour chicken broth over top of casserole and cover with cheese.
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Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
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Uncover and bake until cheese has totally melted and the top is golden brown, about another 15 minutes.
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Allow to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving, if not 10. Serve with sour cream if desired. Enjoy!
Made this tonight and we all loved it. So easy and with extra garlic was perfect for us! Thank you for sharing.
Im so glad to hear you all enjoyed this easy casserole. Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much. All the best. Karin
Great dish
Well thank you for saying that! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much as we do! All the best. Karin
I made this a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it!! Do you think it could be prepared a few hours ahead of time and then baked in the oven before serving?
I think you could definitely make this casserole a few hours ahead of time and keep it in your fridge. I would wait and right before baking drizzle the butter, and add the chicken broth to avoid anything becoming soggy. Then add the top layer of cheese and into the oven it goes. I would also leave this casserole out on the counter for between 20 and 30 minutes before baking to get it to room temperature or you may have to let the casserole bake a little longer if it was taken right out of the fridge. Please let me know how it all goes for you! Take care and all the best. Karin
I made this on Sunday and it was SUPERB. Best and easiest recipe I have tried for this. Thanks!!!!! A mandolin makes it so much faster and easier, too!
Well thank you for taking the time to let me know your opinion of the easy recipe! Glad you loved it and isn’t that mandolin the greatest invention? 😉 Such a time saver! As always you are most welcome. Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! Take care and be well. Karin