Dive into the ultimate comfort food with these Loaded Mashed Potato Bowls! Imagine fluffy and buttery Yukon gold potatoes whipped to perfection, then loaded with all your favorite toppings - crispy bacon, sweet corn, gooey cheddar cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. Each bowl is a customizable canvas, so you can add and substitute ingredients for an easy meal the whole family will love!
In Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, where we are from, potatoes aren't just a side dish, they're a way of life. The amount of potatoes that we went through when we had our family restaurant was incredible. Creamy and buttery mashed potatoes reigned supreme on our dinner table at home too, especially for our Sunday dinners. They can be a heartwarming reminder of home and family dinners enjoyed together.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Comfort in a Bowl: There's nothing quite like the warm embrace of creamy mashed potatoes. This Loaded Mashed Potato Bowls take comfort food to the next level, combining familiar flavors with delightful textures for a truly satisfying meal.
- Customizable: These bowls are a dream for any creative cook. Whether you want to make a copycat version of the KFC Famous Bowl with crispy chicken nuggets and gravy or create your own version of mashed potato heaven, the sky is the limit!
- Crowd-Pleasing: These are sure to be a hit, whether you're feeding your family or hosting a gathering. They're universally loved and incredibly easy to scale up for larger groups. You can even set up a mashed potato bar for guests!
Ingredient Notes
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: We prefer to use gold potatoes as they have a delicious buttery texture and provide a creamy consistency, but you can certainly use your favorite type of potato.
- Butter: You can use salted or unsalted, whichever you prefer.
- Whole Milk: We believe whole cow's milk is crucial for the best potatoes. Skip the low-fat or skim. Heavy cream can also be used for an extra rich layer of flavor.
- Garlic: We used whole, fresh garlic cloves. Because these are just being infused into the milk and butter for a short time, there is no need to chop them. Just give them a good smash to expose some of the insides. If you can't get all of the garlic peel off, don't worry, it'll be strained out before it gets added to the potatoes. If you're out of fresh garlic, jarred minced garlic or even a touch of garlic powder will do in a pinch.
- Toppings: We used our favorite toppings - bacon, corn, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives. Feel free to tailor the toppings to your preferences - I have a whole list of topping ideas below!
Variation Ideas
- Create a Mashed Potato Bar: Set up a mashed potato bar for gatherings, allowing guests to customize their bowls. Offer a variety of toppings like diced onions, sautéed mushrooms, crumbled bacon, and different cheeses for a fun, interactive experience. See the next section for more ideas!
- Skin-On Potatoes: For added texture, keep the skins on the potatoes. This adds a rustic touch and a slight earthiness to the dish.
- Tex-Mex Style: For a Tex-Mex twist, top your mashed potatoes with black beans, salsa, avocado, and a sprinkle of cumin and paprika. Finish with a dollop of sour cream and chopped cilantro.
- Classic Comfort: Create a classic comfort bowl by adding fried chicken, steamed broccoli, crispy fried onions, and a hearty drizzle of warm gravy. Perfect for those who love traditional flavors.
- BBQ Style: For a BBQ theme, top with pulled pork or chicken, BBQ sauce, and coleslaw. This combination brings a smoky and tangy flavor to your mashed potato bowl.
- Italian Flair: Combine sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, and Parmesan cheese for an Italian-inspired version. Add a sprinkle of Italian herbs for an extra flavor boost.
More Topping and Mashed Potato Bar Ideas
Aside from the toppings we used, here are some ideas for toppings that you can use for a normal weeknight dinner or a mashed potato bar set-up:
- Crispy chicken nuggets for a KFC-inspired bowl. For storebought, we love the frozen Bare Nugget brand - plus, they're so easy to cook in the air fryer!
- Green Onions
- Gravy - Try a mushroom gravy, red onion gravy, or this homemade gravy recipe that requires no drippings!
- Caramelized Veggies - These Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms, Roasted Veggies, or Smoked Onions would be perfect.
- Fresh Jalapeños - We also like smoky chipotle jalapeno peppers.
- BBQ Sauce - Melissa's favorite is South Carolina BBQ sauce, which has a mustard base.
- Pulled Pork or Chicken
- Creamy Sauces - This warm Sour Cream and Chive Sauce or pesto sauce is perfect.
- Buffalo Sauce
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Various Cheese - Blue, goat, brie, gouda, parmesan, or cream cheese would all be excellent.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Beans - White, garbanzo, pinto, or black beans would all be nice!
- Avocado
- Fried Egg
- Salsa - Mateo's Salsa is Melissa's favorite store-bought salsa - it's available at Costco too!
- Pickled Red Onions and Olives
- Truffle Oil - Try our Truffle Mashed Potato recipe!
- Crispy Fried Onions
- Coleslaw
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the peeled and cubed potatoes to a large stock pot with cold water. Salt the water, bring to a boil, and cook for about 20 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Meanwhile, infuse the garlic cloves over low heat with the milk and butter.
Step 2: Cook the bacon in a cold skillet until crispy. Drain the bacon on a paper towel. Wipe out most of the grease from the skillet, and add the corn kernels. Once browned, move the crispy corn with a slotted spoon to the paper towels to drain with the bacon.
Step 3: Add the garlic-infused milk and butter to the potato pot through a fine mesh sieve. Season with salt and pepper. Then, whip the potatoes with an electric hand mixer or potato masher until smooth.
Step 4: Assemble by adding your creamy potatoes to a large bowl and layering your chosen toppings on top of the potatoes.
Expert Tips
- Optimal Potato Texture: For the best texture and the fluffiest mashed potatoes, start cooking the potatoes with cold water and gradually bring them to a boil. This ensures even cooking.
- Use Your Leftovers Creatively: Utilize leftovers or near-expiry condiments from your fridge as toppings. This not only adds variety but also helps in reducing food waste.
- Make the Perfect Bacon: For evenly cooked, crispy bacon, start with a cold pan and cook the bacon slowly. This renders the fat better, giving you perfectly crisp strips.
FAQ
Can I make Loaded Mashed Potato Bowls in advance?
Yes, you can prepare both the mashed potatoes and most toppings in advance. Cook the potatoes and toppings like bacon and corn a day before, and store them in the fridge. For the best flavor, add fresh toppings like chives or sour cream just before serving.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They'll stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. It's best to store toppings separately to maintain their texture.
Can I freeze mashed potato bowls?
You can freeze the mashed potatoes. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 1 month. To thaw, leave them in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat as suggested below Remember, don’t freeze the toppings, especially those like sour cream and chives, as they don’t freeze well.
How do I reheat leftover Loaded Mashed Potato Bowls?
For reheating without drying out the potatoes, you can use the methods below. If you reheat from frozen, make sure they have been thawed in the fridge overnight first. For the most toppings, it's best to prepare them fresh for the best texture and flavor.
- Double Boiler Method: Place the mashed potatoes in a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Heat until warm, stirring occasionally. If they seem dry, stir in some warm milk.
- Microwave: Put the mashed potatoes in a microwave-safe dish and cover. Heat on medium power, stirring every minute to ensure even heating. If dry, add a splash of warm milk.
- Oven Method: Spread the potatoes in an oven-safe casserole dish and cover with foil. Reheat at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes. After removing from the oven, stir in a bit of butter and warm milk for added creaminess and moisture.
Can I make this with other types of potatoes?
Definitely! While Yukon Gold potatoes are our favorite for their creamy texture, you can experiment with other varieties like red or russet potatoes. Each type will lend a slightly different texture and flavor to your dish.
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Loaded Mashed Potato Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes
- Salt to taste
- 6 tbsp. butter
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 4 cloves garlic smashed
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 can corn (15.25 oz.)
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 tbsp. sour cream
- 2 tbsp. fresh chives chopped
- Other toppings of choice jalapenos, BBQ sauce, cooked chicken nuggets, steamed broccoli, sauteed onions, gravy, etc.
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Place peeled and cut potatoes in a large pot. Cover them with cold water by at least 1 inch. Add a generous pinch of salt to taste. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 20-25 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot.
- Cook Bacon: Meanwhile, lay bacon slices in a cold skillet. Heat over medium and cook, flipping occasionally, until crisp to your liking. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Brown Corn: Drain the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease. Add corn and sauté over medium heat until browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer corn onto paper towels to drain.
- Infuse Milk: When the potatoes have about 10 minutes left to cook, combine butter, milk, and smashed garlic in a small pot. Heat over low-medium until butter melts. Turn off the heat and let the garlic infuse for at least 5 minutes.
- Mash Potatoes: Strain the milk mixture into the pot with the hot potatoes using a fine mesh sieve. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whip the potatoes with an electric mixer or a hand masher until smooth.
- Assemble Bowls: Spoon mashed potatoes into bowls. Top with crumbled bacon, browned corn, shredded cheese, sour cream, and chives. Add any other desired toppings. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Optimal Potato Texture: For the best texture and the fluffiest mashed potatoes, start cooking the potatoes with cold water and gradually bring them to a boil. This ensures even cooking.
- Make the Perfect Bacon: For evenly cooked, crispy bacon, start with a cold pan and cook the bacon slowly. This renders the fat better, giving you perfectly crisp strips.
Nutrition
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Susie says
These were a hit for the whole family!!