{special request} baked potato casserole

Last weekend I got to spend time with several different friends and try some new recipes for them, so overall I would say it was a successful couple days. We got to take one of my husbands best friend to dinner for his birthday Friday night; I made him cupcakes as he his one of my top critics. See, my husband does not like sweets..ever. So his friend M always stops by the house and is more then happy to try my latest creation, and have yet to find one he didn't like. So needless to say he enjoyed my strawberry and cream filled vanilla cupcakes.


Then on Saturday we had the privilege of going to a friend's house for dinner and I made baked potato casserole to go along with all the other yummy things they had made! She made a special request for the recipe, so K here it is just for you....


Baked Potato Casserole

4-5 cups mashed potatoes
4 oz cream cheese-softened
1/4 cup butter-melted
1/3 cup sour cream 
1/2 cup thin shredded monterey jack/cheddar cheese mix
3 green onions-sliced
1/4 cup half & half
1 egg
1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning 
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 strips bacon-cut and cooked until crisp
 
Cook your potatoes and mash, or use a food mill like I did. Most people don't have one of these laying around their kitchen but I suggest you invest in one, you will never go back to mashing your potatoes. I decided to purchase a food mill after {Alton Brown} from Food Network suggested it...so off to Sur La Table I went. I was so excited when I used it for the first time and even MORE excited when I saw the same one I bought on an episode of Chopped All Stars a few days later. I'm starting to think I watch too much Food Network?? 

Here is the lovely OXO Food Mill purchased from Sur La Table.....

 












There are a couple reasons a food mill is so amazing for your mashers; it breaks it all into small even fluffy pieces and does not cause over mixing...which turns them into a nasty gooey mess. 


Anyway back to the recipe....

Once your potatoes are all mashed add the rest of the ingredients listed above except the last two (cheddar and bacon). Make sure your cream cheese is very soft so it doesn't get clumpy; I like to add it when the potatoes are still warm to make sure it blends well. Once everything is in the bowl mix with an electric mixer for 60 seconds max to make sure they remain fluffy. Place in a baking dish and top with 1 cup cheddar cheese then the cooked bacon.
Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes.

On Sunday I met two of my very best friends at something called Big Hat Days, there are tons of booths with food, crafts and other fun stuff to look at! We definitely took advantage of the delicious bad-for-you food; I'd say our favorite was the two funnel cakes we devoured!