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Crispy Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potato Bake

crispy cheesy bacon ranch potato bake - featured image

A quick and easy potato bake featuring crispy edges, gooey cheese, smoky bacon, and tangy ranch dressing. Perfect for a comforting dinner that pleases the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
  • 8 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup ranch dressing
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease your baking dish with olive oil or butter to prevent sticking.
  2. Peel and thinly slice 4 large russet potatoes into about 1/8 inch slices. Rinse the slices under cold water to remove excess starch, then pat dry with a clean towel.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 8 slices of bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  4. In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup ranch dressing, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, and 2 cloves minced garlic. Whisk well until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Add the dried potato slices to the ranch mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
  6. Spread half of the potato slices evenly in the greased baking dish. Sprinkle half of the chopped bacon and half of the shredded cheese (half cheddar, half mozzarella) over the potatoes. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, bacon, and cheese to form two layers.
  7. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes to steam the potatoes gently.
  8. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy around the edges. Tent with foil if cheese browns too quickly.
  9. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives before serving.

Notes

For crispier potatoes, pat them dry after tossing with ranch sauce. Save some bacon fat to drizzle over potatoes before baking for extra smoky flavor. Let the bake rest before serving to set the cheese and improve slicing. You can assemble the bake up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato bake, bacon, cheesy, ranch dressing, crispy potatoes, easy dinner, comfort food