Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? Because we’re about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise with this Creamy Bacon Cheddar Potato Bake with Garlic Crunch! This insane dish is the ultimate comfort food that’s going to have your taste buds doing a happy dance. So grab your aprons and get ready for an epic food adventure!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Bacon Cheddar Potato Bake with Garlic Crunch
This sensational recipe is an absolute game-changer in the comfort food category. Imagine layers of tender, creamy potatoes, mixed with a rich, gooey cheddar cheese sauce and crispy, smoky bacon. But we’re not stopping there – we’re topping it all off with a massive, explosive garlic crunch that’s going to have you craving more. This dish is the ultimate comfort food that’s going to blow your mind and have your friends and family begging for the recipe. Get ready for the most incredible potato bake you’ve ever tasted!
Ingredients
We’re keeping things simple with this recipe, but the flavors are anything but basic. You’ll need russet potatoes, thick-cut bacon, cheddar cheese, heavy cream, garlic, butter, and a few pantry staples. The key is using high-quality, fresh ingredients to create a truly mouthwatering dish.
- 4 lbs – Russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 12 oz – Thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 3 cups – Shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups – Heavy cream
- 6 cloves – Garlic, minced
Ingredient Substitutions
- Bacon: Regular bacon will work just fine if you can’t find thick-cut.
- Cheese: You can use a mix of cheddar and Parmesan for an extra cheesy twist.
How to Make Creamy Bacon Cheddar Potato Bake with Garlic Crunch
Now it’s time to bring all these incredible ingredients together to create a comfort food masterpiece!
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Slice the potatoes into thin, even rounds and set aside. Fry up that delicious bacon until it’s crispy, then crumble it up. Grate the cheddar cheese and mince the garlic.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the potato slices, then top with the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar. Pour the heavy cream over the top, making sure to coat everything evenly.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
For the explosive garlic crunch topping, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until it’s golden brown and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle this incredible garlic butter mixture over the top of the potato bake.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to get that amazing garlic crunch topping extra crispy. Serve this insane creation hot and let the flavor adventure begin!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Add-Ins: Feel free to get creative and add in diced onions, mushrooms, or even jalapeños for a spicy twist.
- Lightened Up: For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.
- Insane Crunch: Top it with crushed-up Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for a sensational crunch.
- Vegetarian Swap: Omit the bacon and use vegetable broth or plant-based milk instead of heavy cream.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: a crisp green salad to balance out all that epic flavor.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Simply reheat in the oven at 350°F until hot and bubbly.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the entire potato bake up to 2 days in advance, then bake it off when you’re ready to serve. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before popping it in the oven.
Nutrition Information
Indulging in this Creamy Bacon Cheddar Potato Bake is definitely a delicious treat, but we’ve got you covered with the nutritional info. Each serving packs a solid dose of protein from the bacon and cheese, as well as a good amount of fiber and potassium from the potatoes. Just remember to enjoy this epic dish in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the dish
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Protein: 22 g
- Carbs: 30 g
- Fat: 41 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire potato bake up to 2 days in advance, then bake it off when you’re ready to serve. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before popping it in the oven.
Can I use a different type of potato?
While russet potatoes work best for their creamy texture, you can also use Yukon Gold or red potatoes in this recipe. Just adjust the baking time as needed.
How do I make the garlic crunch topping less intense?
If the garlic flavor is a bit too strong for your liking, you can reduce the amount of garlic or even use roasted garlic instead for a more mellow taste.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
For a delicious vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and use vegetable broth or plant-based milk instead of heavy cream.
How can I make this dish healthier?
To lighten things up, you can use low-fat or non-fat dairy products, and cut back on the butter in the garlic crunch topping. Serving smaller portions can also help keep things balanced.
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- Bacon Maple Pumpkin Spice Waffles With Creamy Maple Drizzle
- Creamy Maple Cheddar Macaroni Bake
Creamy Bacon Cheddar Potato Bake with Garlic Crunch
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: 🍟 COMFORT CHAOS
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This creamy bacon cheddar potato bake is the ultimate comfort food, topped with a crunchy garlic breadcrumb layer. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in!
Ingredients
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large pot, boil the diced potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
3. Add heavy cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the potatoes. Mix until well combined.
4. Transfer the potato mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
5. In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and minced garlic. Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
6. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the potato bake.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
8. Let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, try adding chopped green onions or fresh herbs.
You can substitute the bacon with cooked sausage or keep it vegetarian by omitting the meat altogether.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: potato bake, bacon, cheddar, comfort food