Bacon and Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Whew! This weekend was super productive for me! Well, I should say it was super productive for trying new recipes...not so much for getting any other work accomplished....

I am really excited to share this recipe with you all today. I LOVE mashed potatoes, but I find that not all mashed potatoes are delicious. Sometimes they are too dry, or don't have enough flavor to them, but when they are creamy and full of flavor, I cannot get enough!
I have only great things to say about these potatoes. They are packed full of flavor, incorporating sour cream, bacon, and cheese, among other things, right into the potatoes. This recipe makes a TON of potatoes (you'll be eating potatoes for days) which is why this would be a great dish to bring to a potluck, or to serve when you are having guests over.

I loved this recipe, and I am sure you will too!

Be excited for some amazing new recipes coming later this week! Hope you all have a great start to your week, and Happy Monday!

Last Month: Chewy Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
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                    Oreo Cheesecake Truffles

Bacon and Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Prep Time: 1 hour       Yields 10 servings

Ingredients:
5 lbs russet potatoes
10 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chives, minced
2 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
2 tsps salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 F.
2) Peel potatoes and cube them. Cook potatoes until tender and easily pierced with a knife or fork. Once potatoes are ready, drain them, but keep them in the pot.
3) Mash the potatoes until light and fluffy. Add cream cheese, butter, and sour cream and stir until completely combined and smooth. You may want to use a potato masher at this step to ensure that the ingredients are completely combined.
4) Add chives, 2 cups of cheddar cheese, half the crumbled bacon, salt, and pepper and stir until completely combined.
5) Transfer to a 3-quart buttered casserole or baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese and bacon on top. Bake for 30 mins, or until cheese is melted and potatoes are very lightly golden.
6) Remove from oven and serve immediately.


(Recipe adapted from SippitySup)