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Cheesy Bacon Potato Casserole

Few dishes are as comforting as a bubbling casserole filled with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and plenty of melted cheese. This Cheesy Bacon Potato Casserole brings those familiar flavors together in one hearty dish that works beautifully as a family dinner, weekend side dish, or crowd-pleasing addition to a holiday table.

The potatoes become tender and creamy as they bake, while the bacon adds a savory, smoky crunch throughout the casserole. A generous layer of cheese melts over the top, creating a golden, bubbling finish that makes the dish especially irresistible straight from the oven.

What makes this casserole so convenient is that most of the preparation can be done ahead of time. Once everything is layered into the baking dish, the oven takes care of the rest.

Ingredients

2 pounds potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
8 ounces bacon, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish

Preparing the Potatoes

Start by preparing the potatoes. Peel them and slice them into thin, even pieces, approximately ⅛-inch thick. Keeping the slices similar in thickness is important because it allows the potatoes to cook at roughly the same rate.

Place the sliced potatoes in a bowl of cold water while you prepare the other ingredients. This helps prevent them from browning and removes some excess starch.

Before assembling the casserole, drain the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry with clean kitchen towels or paper towels.