Pin it
This Crispy Potato Bake with Bacon and Ranch combines hearty, crunchy potatoes with flavorful bacon, zesty ranch seasoning, and melty cheddar. It's a crowd-pleaser that works great for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or game day gatherings - basically a comfort food winner for any occasion you can think of.
A Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Dish
This casserole brings together all the best comfort flavors and textures. The ranch seasoning adds a tangy kick while the cheddar and bacon create a rich, savory balance. The crispy potatoes serve as the perfect foundation for this mouthwatering dish that's super easy to throw together and totally irresistible.
Key Ingredients You'll Need
- Frozen Hash Browns: 2 pounds that turn golden when baked for maximum crunchiness.
- Dry Ranch Mix: 1 ounce packet spread throughout for bold flavor.
- Cheddar: 2 cups shredded sharp variety for enhanced taste.
- Bacon: 1 pound cooked until crispy then crumbled into bits.
- Sour Cream: 1 cup for creaminess and tang.
- Chives or Green Onions: 1/4 cup finely chopped as garnish (optional).
Simple Cooking Steps
- Get Those Potatoes Ready
- Heat your oven to 425°F. Spread frozen potatoes in one layer on a baking sheet and cook as directed until golden and crunchy.
- Add Flavor
- Move the baked potatoes to a big bowl. Sprinkle with ranch mix and gently toss until they're well coated.
- Build Your Casserole
- Turn oven down to 350°F. In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spread half the seasoned potatoes. Top with 1 cup cheddar and half the crumbled bacon. Repeat these layers.
- Bake It
- Put in oven for 15-20 minutes until cheese completely melts and starts bubbling.
- Finish and Enjoy
- Take it out of the oven. Drop spoonfuls of sour cream on top and scatter chives or green onions if you want. Serve while it's hot.
Tasty Twists to Try
Toss in some shredded cooked chicken or sautéed veggies like bell peppers and onions for extra flavor. You might also want to swap the cheese for something like pepper jack or mozzarella to make the dish your own.
Pin it
Storage Tips and Make-Ahead Ideas
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. To bring back the crispiness, warm it up in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Want to make it ahead? Just put the casserole together without baking, cover it well, and stick it in your fridge for up to 24 hours. When you're ready, bake as normal but add an extra 5-10 minutes if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can this dish be made ahead?
- You can prep the ingredients early, but assemble it right before baking so the tots stay crispy.
- → How do you keep tater tots crispy?
- Bake them until golden first, and make sure they’re still hot when adding cheese.
- → Can ranch be swapped out?
- Sure! Try garlic herb dressing or a Tex-Mex spice mix for different flavors.
- → What cheese works best?
- Sharp cheddar is great, but blends like monterey jack or colby add extra taste.
- → How do you reheat leftovers?
- Reheat in the oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes to keep the crunch. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.