Loaded Baked Mashed Potatoes
While I love the cheese and all, I think the star of this mashed potato side dish is the roasted garlic.
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Ingredients:
| 5 pounds | russet potatoes, skins peeled and cut into chunks |
| 2 heads | garlic |
| olive oil | |
| 1/2 cup | butter |
| 8 ounces | cream cheese, cut into chunks |
| 1/2 cup | sour cream |
| 3 cups | shredded Cheddar cheese |
| 1/2 cup | milk, more or less |
| sea salt | |
| freshly ground pepper | |
| 1/2 pound | bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled |
| 1/2 cup | sliced green onions |
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut off the top quarter of the garlic head and set garlic head, cut side up, on top of a piece of foil that is large enough to wrap around the entire garlic head.
2. Drizzle the top (cut area) with olive oil. Wrap foil around the garlic head. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until garlic cloves are very tender and soft. Carefully unwrap garlic head. Squeeze out roasted garlic or use a small knife tip or fork to "pop" out the cloves. Set aside roasted garlic and discard skins.
3. While garlic is cooking, place potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until potatoes are tender. Drain well and return potatoes to pot.
4. With potato masher, mash potatoes well. Then mash in butter, cream cheese, sour cream, roasted garlic, and 2 cups of Cheddar cheese until all ingredients are combined with the potatoes. If needed, mix in some milk to ensure that mixture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Spray a baking dish (approx 13x9") with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spoon loaded mashed potatoes into baking dish. Top with remaining Cheddar cheese. Top with sliced green onions and bacon. Cover with foil and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until until cheese is melted and top begins to brown.
