Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Calendar icon Published: Nov 4th 2024 by Sarah Leadon
Clock icon Last updated: Dec 22nd 2024
Read time: 5 mins
Cuisine:
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Close up view of Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes

This might be the ultimate side dish for the holidays? Try our Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes. Twice-baked mashed potatoes are perfectly creamy, and a rich side dish for the holidays or any time. The Yukon gold potatoes are boiled, and it's then mixed with sour cream, half-and-half, cheddar cheese, and butter. They're topped with even more cheese and bacon and then baked until the cheese melts, creating the most comforting side dish you'll ever eat. 

Serve these twice-baked mashed potatoes with instant pot BBQ chicken breast, boneless turkey roast, or air fryer corned beef.

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These Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes are the perfect crowd-pleaser, easy to prepare and bursting with rich flavors. They’re creamy, cheesy, and crispy on top, providing the ideal balance of texture and taste. Perfect for holiday dinners, game-day gatherings, or a weeknight treat!

  • Mash While Hot: Mash the potatoes while they’re still hot to achieve a light and fluffy texture.
  • Don’t Overmix: Be careful not to overmix the potatoes, as this can make them gummy.
  • Use High-Quality Cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar melts better and adds richer flavor compared to pre-shredded options.

Serve these Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes alongside roasted meats, grilled chicken, or holiday turkey. They also pair wonderfully with a fresh side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

  • Potatoes: Substitute Yukon golds with russet potatoes for a fluffier texture.
  • Cheese: Use gouda, gruyere, or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
  • Herbs: Swap dill with chives, parsley, or green onions to change up the taste.
  • Bacon: For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and add crispy fried shallots or mushrooms.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. You can also freeze the mashed potatoes for up to 2 months; thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven.

  • Yukon Gold Potatoes: Known for their buttery flavor and creamy texture.
  • Garlic and Shallots: Add depth and savory notes to the mashed potatoes.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Gives a sharp, rich taste and a melty, golden topping.
  • Sour Cream and Half-and-Half: Add creaminess and tanginess to the potatoes.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the mash.
  • Fresh Dill: Provides a fresh, herby flavor that complements the cheese and bacon.
  • Crispy Bacon: Adds a crunchy, savory topping that pairs perfectly with the creamy mash.

Why are my twice-baked potatoes gummy?

There are several reasons why your twice-baked potatoes may be gummy. For instance, adding ingredients like butter, sour cream, or half-and-half when the potatoes have cooled down can cause them to develop a gummy texture. Mixing in additional ingredients when the potatoes are still hot will ensure the potatoes are light and fluffy. Another reason is that overmixing the potatoes can make the mashed potatoes gummy. Mix your twice-baked potatoes just until they are light and fluffy.

Are mashed potatoes better boiled or baked?

It depends on your preference. Boiling potatoes for mashed potatoes will always be a good option. However, you can bake your potatoes if you need space to cook other foods on your stovetop or don't want to use the stove.

What do twice-baked potatoes mean?

As the name implies, twice-baked potatoes means baking your potatoes twice. First, the potatoes are baked until tender. Then, the flesh is scooped out and mixed with additional ingredients such as butter, cheese, and cream and baked again for a second time.

Is baked potato healthier than french fries?

Baked potatoes are healthier than fries. Fries are fried in grease and usually have the skin removed. In contrast, baked potatoes contain the skin, which contains additional nutrients. They are also baked and not fried in fat, making them a much healthier option.

What can I use instead of bacon for a vegetarian version?

You can use crispy fried shallots, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted veggies for a flavorful vegetarian topping.

How to Make Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes

Start by boiling Yukon gold potatoes with garlic and shallots until tender. Drain and mash the potatoes while still hot, then mix in sour cream, half-and-half, cheddar cheese, butter, dill, salt, and pepper. Transfer the mashed potatoes into a greased baking dish, and top with more cheddar cheese and crispy bacon. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve warm and enjoy!

Author: Sarah Leadon
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Time & Serves

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
60 mins
Serves
6-8 persons

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes

  • 4 Garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

  • 2 Shallots, cut in half

  • 6-8 cups Water

  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

  • 1/3 cup Sour Cream, room temperature

  • 1/3 cup Half-and-half

  • 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, softened

  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Dill, chopped

  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

  • 3 slices cooked Bacon, crumbled

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 °F.

Prepare oven for baking

Place the potatoes, garlic, and shallots into a large pot. Add the water and set it over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil.

Prepare to cooked the potatoes

Decrease the heat to medium-low. Cook the potatoes for 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes in a colander and place them back into the pot. Remove the garlic cloves and shallots.

Draining the cook potatoes

Next, use a potato masher to mash the cooked potatoes until they reach your desired consistency.

Smashed the cooked potatoes

Add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese along with the sour cream, half-and-half, unsalted butter, dill, kosher salt, and black pepper, and mix until combined.

Adding the cheese, sour cream mixture to the mashed potatoes

Next, grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add the mashed potatoes to the dish. Top the mashed potatoes with the remaining cheddar cheese and bacon.

Prepare to cook the Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes

Bake the mashed potatoes for 30 minutes until the cheese melts, and it is slightly golden brown. Serve and enjoy!

Serving the cooked Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes
Sarah Leadon
Author:
Senior Recipe Developer & Food Writer

More posts by Sarah Leadon

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