This is one of my all-time favorite dishes, and it never fails to impress

Home-cooked meals have this unique power to bring people closer, and my Slow Cooker Baked Mashed Potato Casserole stands testament to this magic. Picture a comforting blend of fluffy mashed potatoes, crispy bacon bits, melt-in-your-mouth cheese, and the tang of sour cream. This isn’t just a dish—it’s a heartwarming experience, made even easier with the magic of a slow cooker.

I still reminisce about the Sundays of my childhood, when the aroma of baking potatoes intertwined with bacon would drift from the kitchen. Every time that casserole made its grand entrance at our dining table, it was greeted with smiles and eager forks. Those cherished moments around the table, laughter echoing, stories being shared—all over a humble potato casserole—made me realize the profound bond that food can create. Now, whenever I recreate this recipe, it’s like a journey down memory lane, each bite filled with nostalgia and warmth.

Ingredients:

5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and diced

1/2 cup salted butter, melted

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

16 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled

16 oz sour cream

1/4 tsp onion powder

Salt and pepper, as per taste

2 chicken bouillon cubes

Optional: Fresh chives or green onions, finely sliced (for garnish)

Instructions:

In the slow cooker, combine potatoes and chicken bouillon cubes. Pour water until potatoes are submerged.

Secure the lid and set the slow cooker on high. Let it cook undisturbed for 5 hours.

Once done, drain the potatoes of any residual water.

Drizzle butter over the potatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Use a potato masher to achieve your preferred consistency.

Fold in the sour cream, half the bacon, half the cheese, and if you’re using them, half the chives or green onions.

Garnish with the remaining cheese. Let it cook on high for an added 20 minutes.

Serve this Slow Cooker Baked Mashed Potato Casserole as a hearty side or a main dish on cozy evenings. It promises not just a meal, but a symphony of flavors that beckons loved ones closer, reigniting conversations and memories. This is more than just food; it’s an emotion, a reminder of the simple pleasures of life. Dive in and let every bite take you on a nostalgic journey.