Loaded Potato Casserole or other Side for 20?

Creamed spinach and onions is a good green side.

I make stuffed potatoes and sometimes just do it in a casserole if I don’t feel like dealing with the potato skins. Dont’t have a recipe, but I’ll give you an estimate.

Another alternative is a large pan of steakhouse potatoes au gratin. It’s probably easier...tons of good recipes online. I recommend grating the cheese vs the bagged cheese. That will make the biggest difference.

12- 15 large baking potatoes
1 - 1.5 sticks of melted butter
3/4 jar of cheez whiz...gives it a good texture
1 pint sour cream
Real cooked bacon pieces. About 8 thick slices
1 bunch chopped green onion
Salt & pepper.
Grated sharp cheddar to put on top.
Possibly some milk if you need to thin it out.

quote:

---

Agree on the spinach. Spinach Madeleine is always a good option.

---

I'd rather have that than the potatoes.

I make what I call a "Twice Baked Potato Casserole" that everybody seems to really like.

I'll peel and cut up potatoes in like size pieces, boil them until fork tender then strain and mash them into fairly small pieces.

While the potatoes are cooking, I'll cut up and cook the following:

Several strips bacon cut in 1/4 inch increments across the strips
1 large onion diced
1 Bell Pepper diced
3 ribs celery diced
1 8 oz. pack fresh mushrooms sliced
4-5 cloves garlic minced
Green onions diced and to taste
Parsley minced and to taste
Sour cream
1 stick butter
Shredded Cheddar Cheese or cheese of your liking
Salt and pepper to taste

In a big enough pan to accommodate all the above:

Brown off bacon pieces and put aside to cool, then add the onions, bell pepper, celery and start cooking that until wilted, then add garlic and mushrooms. Cook that down for a couple more minutes and add green onions and parsley---cook for a couple more minutes and shut it all down.

Once the potatoes are finished cooking to fork tender and drained, put in a large bowl and mash while adding butter and sour cream to them. When they are done being mashed to your liking, add all the vegetables and bacon bits and mix well.

At the same time, add some of the cheese to blend in the casserole. Check for salt and pepper and season to taste.

In a casserole dish, grease it well and add the potato mixture to it and top with a nice layer of cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven until the cheese lightly browns, remove and serve.

ETA: You can make this well ahead of time and refrigerate until needed. Just be sure to let it cool well and cover the top with either parchment paper or saran wrap before putting on the foil so it doesn't stick to the cheese top layer.

Wrap 20 potatoes in foil, bake them and have a baked potato bar with butter, chives, bacon, cheese, sour cream. Let guests make their own. You can precook and reheat the potatoes.

Or you can do extra and do the same thing, remove from skins.... add all ingredients with some heavy cream maybe a little velveeta, blend with a mixer to right consistency.... top with cheese/chives/bacon, rebake and you have your casserole

You’re braver than me though, wife and I just had Covid. No way I’d be going to a party of 20 people, but we are directly exposed at work. I still don’t trust other people though and Covid sucked, I don’t want that again

I've heard that the Bob Evan's mashed potatoes are very good. Had a small one I didn't use, so it's in the freezer. I need to remember to give it a try. If they're as good as folks say, I'd try them for the shortcut you suggested.

quote:

---

Wrap 20 potatoes in foil, bake them and have a baked potato bar with butter, chives, bacon, cheese, sour cream. Let guests make their own. You can precook and reheat the potatoes.

---

Perfect idea!

Make the spinach too though

Steak is heavy and filling. A lighter side is appreciated by some. It’s easy to roast a whole mess of vegetables on sheet pans in the oven. Carrots, parsnips, broccoli, cauliflower: cut all into similar sized chunks, toss with olive oil, sprinkle with lemon pepper. Roast at 400 until tender and caramelized, around 20-25 mins. Use the convection fan for the last few minutes if things seem pale. Mushrooms are good in this mix too.

I’m still not feeling comfortable to have 20 ppl over, either. Not immunized yet, still haven’t had Covid though I’m surveillance tested every two weeks. No word yet on when we might get the jab, so we are still laying low. Have to have contact with elderly parents, and don’t need to pass anything along to them.

quote:

---

TU Rob: We use the frozen shredded hash browns for that.

---

Yep... A bag of shredded hash browns, with a can of cream of mushroom soup, cup of sour cream, shredded cheddar, sautéed onions, and cooked bacon pieces.

Top with cheese and bake 45 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Add sliced green onions & more bacon bits on top just before serving. Leave a bowl of sour cream on the side for guests to add if they wish.

Quick, easy and effecitve...