Loaded Beef and Bacon Potato Casserole

If you’re craving a loaded potato casserole that’s cheesy, packed with flavor, and actually filling enough to be an entire dinner, this Loaded Beef and Bacon Potato Casserole is going to be one of your new favorites. We’re talking crispy seasoned potatoes, ground beef mixed with ranch and sour cream, crispy bacon, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese. Then we’re topping everything with jalapeños and a little ranch dressing because why would we stop at just cheese and bacon? Calm down, Barbara, we’re making dinner, and it’s going to be GOOD.

By Manny Michael

Dinner

Ingredients

• 16 ounces frozen diced hash brown potatoes (approximately half of a 32-ounce bag)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces bacon (approximately half of a 1-pound package), chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ranch dressing
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• Cooked crispy bacon, divided
• 2 tablespoons sliced jalapeños (optional topping)
• 1 tablespoon ranch dressing (optional topping)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (optional topping)
• Reserved crispy bacon (optional topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Add the frozen diced hash brown potatoes to a smaller casserole dish, approximately 8x8 inches. Drizzle with olive oil and season with smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Toss everything together until coated.
2. Bake the potatoes for 20–30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until they’re golden and starting to get crispy.
3. While the potatoes bake, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving a little bacon grease in the skillet.
4. Add the ground beef and diced onion to the same skillet. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion has softened. Drain most of the grease, then stir in the ranch seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, ranch dressing, and sour cream until everything is combined.
5. Assemble the casserole. Once the potatoes are crispy, spread the ground beef mixture evenly over them. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese on top, followed by most of the crispy bacon. Save a little bacon for serving, then add the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.
6. Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F and bake for another 12–15 minutes, until everything is heated through and the cheese is melted.
7. Add your favorite toppings! I used sliced jalapeños, extra bacon, and a drizzle of ranch dressing. Chives or green onions would also be delicious. Serve warm and enjoy!