Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole
Holidays require mashed potatoes around here. Blogging requires not making the same recipe year after year. This year, I elected to jazz up our spuds and baked up a Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole to accompany our holiday ham.
This Potato Casserole Recipe was a huge hit with my potato-loving family. And the bonus was that it can be mixed up earlier in the day, then popped in the oven close to dinner time.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Bill grew up in a meat and potatoes family. His dad expected potatoes at nearly every meal. Rice was not on their regular rotation, but potatoes were fixed in every which way. So in order to have a happy hubby, I’ve fried, baked, twice baked, smashed, mashed, made potato pancakes, roasted wedges and fries, and more. I’ve created mashed potato casseroles for company in the past, but that was ages ago. With a low maintenance ham for our entree, I had plenty of time to dream up some special cheesy mashed potatoes.
How to Make a Potato Casserole
There are numerous kinds of potato casseroles including scalloped potatoes, potatoes au gratin, and loaded mashed potato casseroles like this recipe. Many can be tweaked with different cheeses or add-ins like bacon, ham, herbs, and more.
- Start with good mashing potatoes like Yukon Gold or Russets. I prefer Yukon Gold for this recipe.
- Peel, cut into chunks, and cook in salted water until tender. Drain and mash. PRO-Tip: Cooking in salted water helps infuse flavor into the potatoes and results in better tasting mashed potatoes compared to adding salt at the end.
- Add the cream cheese, sour cream, warm milk, and butter and mix to combine.
- Season and taste. Adjust by adding more salt and pepper if needed.
- Mix in cheddar cheese, reserving a bit to sprinkle over the top of the casserole along with the Parmesan.
- Bake as directed until the casserole is heated through.
Can You Freeze a Potato Casserole?
Yes, many potato casseroles can be frozen if stored properly. The casserole should be covered well to minimize the chance of frost developing. It’s best to leave off the cheese or other toppings before freezing. Cheese or crumb toppings can be added at the end of baking time in case the casserole gets a little watery when reheating. Just stir the potatoes a couple of times while they’re reheating, then top with the cheeses at the end of the baking time.
How Long to Cook a Potato Casserole Recipe?
This will vary on the casserole recipe, but the general rule is until the casserole is heated through. It should be hot in the middle and steaming when a portion is scooped out. This 9 x 13 casserole takes about 30 minutes to heat unless it’s made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. A chilled casserole will take more time to heat through.
More Favorite Potato Recipes:
- Twice Baked Potatoes
- Hasselback Potato Casserole
- Cheesy Potato Galette
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- More of the Best Side Dish Recipes
Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole
Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole is a cheesy twist on basic mashed potatoes!
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup whole milk, warmed
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, reserve a little to sprinkle on top with the Parmesan.
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Minced chives or fresh thyme, to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Peel and cube the potatoes. Place in a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Add about a tablespoon of salt and cook till fork tender.
- Preheat oven to 350º and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Set aside.
- Drain potatoes and return to pot. Mash with a potato masher to your desired consistency.
- Add the cream cheese, sour cream, warm milk, and butter and mix until combined and the butter is melted. Mix in salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Mix in most of the shredded sharp cheddar, then add the mixture to the prepared dish. Smooth the top with an offset spatula. Sprinkle with Parmesan and the reserved cheddar.
- Bake for about 30 minutes or until hot and lightly browned. Serve immediately.
Notes
Peel the potatoes, then place in the pot of water immediately to prevent them from oxidizing (turning brown).
Make sure to salt the water used to cook the potatoes. This will allow some of the salt to infuse into the potatoes as they cook, making them more flavorful.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 496Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 682mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 18g
25 Comments on “Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole”
This is one of those dishes that you can’t help but say “mmmm” with that first bite! So, so good!
I love it! So cheesy and delicious!! Everyone at my house really loved it!
my family was like Bill’s-but no complaints here 😛 I looove how cheesy and delish these potatoes are!
Rice has always been the go-to for any formal meal…But seeing your gorgeous inspired potato photos may just swing me over to the Bill camp!
Dear Lizzy, Those wonderful potatoes would disappear in a NY minute!!!!
xo Catherine
My husband’s Dad when he was alive used to say that you could wake up with a potato…he loved them too! Lots of good recipes here.
This is my type of comfort food … I am already with a spoon to dig in 😉
This is the kind of recipe that everyone in my family would love. No cutting this one in half, if anything I’d have to double it!
I have never met a spud that I did not like.
Thanks, Dana! In that case, you’ll adore this casserole. Thanks for stopping by!!!
Great round-up on potatoes. Coincidentally, I’ll be making a Japanese potato salad for my BBQ this weekend. Hope all goes well! xoxo
Mashed potatoes have never looked better!
Hi Liz, I could just have this cheesy potato casserole and a salad for dinner and be very, very happy. What a fabulous side dish.
OMG that looks amazing! I’ll save it for a family dinner for sure! My Dad always loved meat and potatoes, it wasn’t a real meal if there wasn’t at least meat! Funny story, shortly after my dear Dad passed my Mom and I wanted a different type of dinner than what Dad would have expected, so we went to the grocery store and splurged on a huge watermelon (wasn’t in season), and a variety of fruit, we served it with cottage cheese and we loved it. My 16 year old brother asked what’s for dinner after he finished his salad! Go figure.
mmm. . .it looks wonderful.
I love cheese potatoes. This cheesy mashed potato casserole looks yummy. Perfect to go with a simple ham.
I can never resist a big bowl of mashed potatoes, Liz. These sound incredible! Off to check out the recipe at Heather’s:)
Thanks Liz…
All of these potato dishes look so good! And, cheesy mashed potatoes sounds like comfort food heaven.
Ours was a meat and potato family too. I am the black sheep who burst out. This casserole looks delish!
My husband calls my “potato girl”, I’ll leave meat on my plate but will eat all of my potatoes. I guess you know I’d like your casserole. 🙂
Wow girl. It looks really really yummy!! Like a perfect dinner option! 🙂 Would you recommend a glass of wine to it :-)?
Looks like a great dish. And how nice of you to guest post! Heading over right now to check out the recipe . . .
Soooo many delicious potato recipes and it’s hard to pick one. The hubs is a big fan of potatoes and I’m sure he will go crazy over this cheesy mashed potato casserole. Checking out the recipe now and hope Heather gets a speedy recovery.
Being Asian , I’m more of a rice person 😀 Potatoes are usually used in curry or beef stew and I think I haven’t made a mashed potato yet , I know , I know ! Your cheesy mashed potato casserole though has my name on it , gonna try this sometime ….. Will lurk next at your friend , Heather 😉
Liz, I cannot thank you enough for sharing your recipe on my site today! I truly appreciate you 🙂
Have a great day!