Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Cheese and Bacon

These Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Cheese and Bacon aren’t quite as guilt-inducing as they look. Find out how to make this comforting side dish with some skinny modifications!

I was all set to make these cheesy mashed potatoes with stovetop BBQ chicken this weekend, but then I remembered that my brother-in-law was coming over and doesn’t eat cheese. (I won’t talk about the fact that that is nearly a crime in my opinion.) To my dismay, I had to switch gears and make Greek Salad with Chicken instead, which was a perfectly lovely dinner but sadly lacking bacon or BBQ sauce. Matt and I were both very excited to finally have this delicious meal last night.

Although it might be a stretch to call this recipe healthy, it is better for you than you might think for rich, creamy mashed potatoes with cheese. For one thing, it contains no butter. I’d like to say that this is because I set out to choose olive oil since it’s a healthier choice, but the truth is I ran out of butter! In the end, I’m glad because these dreamy potatoes were incredible without it. Who needs butter when you have cream cheese and colby jack (and bacon)?

These mashed potatoes with cheese are worthy of a holiday or special occasion but easy enough for a plain old weeknight. I hope you get to try them soon, and I bet they will become a regular star of your dinner table!

Loaded Mashed Potatoes with Cheese and Bacon

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This comforting side dish uses a few skinny modifications to make mashed potatoes with cheese a little healthier!

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

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• 1 1/2 lb. russet potatoes peeled and diced into 1″ cubes
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 3 oz. reduced-fat cream cheese you can use full fat if you prefer
• 1/4 c. grated cheddar or colby-jack cheese 2% milk cheese would work
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt or to taste
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 green onions sliced
• 3 slices cooked bacon roughly chopped

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Instructions

1. Place potatoes in a medium saucepan, and cover with an inch or two of water. Add about a teaspoon of salt, and heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Boil for approximately 10 minutes or until you can easily cut the potatoes with a fork. Drain and return to cooking pot.
2. Add olive oil and cream cheese, and mash with potato masher until cream cheese is incorporated and potatoes are as smooth as you like.
3. Add grated cheese, milk, salt, and pepper. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted and potatoes are steaming hot. Turn off heat, and stir in green onions and bacon, reserving some of each for sprinkling over individual servings if desired.

• Author: Andi
• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 15

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