Irresistible Bacon Cheddar Potatoes: Your New Favorite Easy Side Dish Recipe

Prepare to fall in love with these incredibly easy and delicious Bacon Cheddar Potatoes! This recipe transforms humble baby potatoes into a culinary masterpiece, perfectly seasoned and roasted until tender, then generously topped with a blanket of rich shredded cheddar cheese and savory, crispy bacon. It’s more than just a side dish; it’s a comforting, show-stopping addition to any meal that will have your entire family asking for seconds.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, planning a weekend brunch, or simply looking for an effortless yet flavorful accompaniment to your weeknight dinner, these cheesy bacon potatoes are guaranteed to impress. Get ready to elevate your mealtime with a burst of irresistible flavor and a comforting embrace of cheesy, bacony goodness!

Why These Cheesy Bacon Potatoes Will Become Your Go-To Recipe

This recipe for baked baby potatoes with cheese and bacon isn’t just good; it’s a dish that evokes genuine excitement. As one enthusiastic reviewer, Kathleen, shared, “Soooo good. You must try these!!! Thanks for sharing I will be making these regularly.” We wholeheartedly agree! Here’s why this dish is destined to become a beloved staple in your kitchen:

• Effortlessly Delicious: Forget complicated techniques or obscure ingredients. With straightforward steps and readily available items, you can achieve gourmet-level flavor without any fuss. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave something special but lack the time.
• A Guaranteed Family Favorite: The classic combination of tender potatoes, savory bacon, and gooey melted cheddar cheese is a universal crowd-pleaser. This comforting side dish appeals to all ages, making it a reliable hit even with the pickiest eaters at your table.
• Incredibly Versatile Pairing: These cheesy bacon potatoes are a chameleon in the culinary world, complementing almost any main course. They’re fantastic alongside roasted chicken, grilled steak, juicy pork chops, or even hearty casseroles. They also make an impressive and satisfying addition to any brunch spread.
• Bursting with Rich Flavor: Our carefully selected seasoning blend perfectly enhances the natural sweetness and earthiness of the potatoes, creating a deep, savory foundation. This foundation then beautifully supports the smoky notes of crispy bacon and the creamy tang of melted cheddar.
• Visually Appealing: Beyond their incredible taste, these potatoes are a feast for the eyes. Golden-brown roasted potatoes, bubbling melted cheese, vibrant green onions, and crisp bacon bits create a stunning presentation that looks as good as it tastes.
• Comfort Food at Its Best: There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm dish of potatoes, cheese, and bacon. This recipe embodies pure comfort, perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you need a little culinary hug.

Key Tips for Crafting Perfect Cheesy Bacon Potatoes Every Time

Achieving the ideal balance of flavor and texture in your cheesy bacon potatoes is simpler than you might imagine. Follow these essential tips to ensure your dish turns out perfectly, from the tender interior of the potatoes to the crispy bacon topping.

• Mastering the Seasoning: We’ve found that our go-to all-purpose seasoning for oven-roasting potatoes truly shines in this recipe, providing a deep, savory base that enhances every bite. However, feel free to make it your own! If you’re looking for a zesty, herbaceous twist, a sprinkle of Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix would be an excellent alternative. Don’t be shy about experimenting with your own favorite spice blends—a touch of smoked paprika, onion powder, or even a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper can add wonderful depth and character to your potatoes.
• Bacon Convenience Options: While freshly fried, crispy bacon offers an unparalleled depth of flavor and texture, we understand that time isn’t always a luxury. For a quick and convenient alternative, pre-cooked bacon pieces or microwaveable bacon are excellent substitutes. Just ensure that whichever option you choose, the bacon is cooked until wonderfully crispy and then crumbled finely for even distribution throughout the dish. This ensures you get that satisfying crunch in every mouthful.
• Optimal Potato Preparation: For best results, slicing your baby potatoes in half lengthwise is crucial. This not only ensures they cook evenly but also allows them to become perfectly fork-tender and develop a desirable golden crisp on the cut sides. When arranging them in your baking dish, make sure not to overcrowd them. An overcrowded dish can lead to steamed rather than roasted potatoes, preventing that delicious crispy exterior from forming.
• Choosing Your Cheese: While a robust three-cheese blend (often featuring cheddar, Monterey Jack, and a hint of mozzarella) offers a rich and complex flavor with superb melting properties, feel free to use your absolute favorite shredded cheese. Sharp cheddar provides a bold flavor, Monterey Jack adds creaminess, and blends with a hint of smoked gouda or even a spicy pepper jack could introduce fantastic new dimensions to the dish.
• The Importance of Green Onions: Don’t underestimate the power of a simple garnish! The fresh, mild, and slightly piquant bite of freshly sliced green onions, added at the very end, provides a crucial contrast to the rich, savory cheese and smoky bacon. It adds a vibrant pop of color, a refreshing aromatic finish, and an essential layer of flavor that brightens the entire dish.

Essential Ingredients for Your Delicious Bacon Cheddar Potatoes

Gathering your ingredients is the exciting first step towards creating this incredibly flavorful and comforting side dish. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to make these delightful Bacon Cheddar Potatoes. For the precise measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card provided further down.

• Baby Potatoes: These are the undeniable stars of our dish! Their small size, naturally tender texture, and ability to cook quickly make them absolutely ideal for roasting. You can use any variety of baby potatoes, such as red, yellow, or a colorful medley.
• Small Onion: When finely diced, the onion adds a subtle yet essential sweetness and an aromatic depth that infuses into the potatoes as they bake, creating a more complex flavor profile.
• Seasoned Salt & Garlic Salt: This dynamic duo forms the heart of our flavor profile! These two seasonings work in harmony to infuse the potatoes with a profoundly savory, garlicky essence that is simply irresistible and perfectly complements the other ingredients.
• Butter: Cubed and strategically dotted over the potatoes before baking, the butter melts down, creating luscious pockets of richness. It helps the potatoes crisp up beautifully on the outside while remaining tender within, and also aids in absorbing all the wonderful flavors.
• Three Cheese Blend: A key component for that glorious, gooey topping! We recommend a blend that typically includes cheddar (for that classic sharp flavor), Monterey Jack (for excellent melt and mildness), and sometimes mozzarella (for extra stretch and creaminess). You can always use pure sharp cheddar for a bolder taste.
• Cooked & Crumbled Bacon: The ultimate flavor enhancer! The smoky, salty, and wonderfully crunchy texture of cooked and crumbled bacon provides a perfect counterpoint to the creamy potatoes and melted cheese, adding an explosion of savory goodness.
• Sliced Green Onion: This fresh garnish is more than just a pretty face. It adds a bright, mild, and slightly pungent oniony finish, along with a crucial pop of vibrant green color, elevating both the taste and presentation of the dish.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Prepare Delicious Bacon Cheddar Potatoes

Follow these straightforward instructions to create a batch of perfectly baked, cheesy, and bacony potatoes that will impress everyone at your table. Each step is designed to ensure maximum flavor and optimal texture.

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). As it heats, lightly spray an 8×8-inch (or a similar sized) baking dish with a nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures a hassle-free cleanup later.
2. Season Potatoes and Onion: In a large, spacious mixing bowl, combine your sliced baby potatoes and the finely diced small onion. Generously sprinkle both the seasoned salt and garlic salt over the mixture. These seasonings are key to building the foundational flavor of your dish.

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4. Ensure Even Coating: Stir the potato and onion mixture thoroughly and vigorously. Continue stirring until every single potato piece is beautifully and evenly coated with the seasonings. This meticulous step ensures that every bite bursts with delicious flavor.

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6. Transfer to Baking Dish: Carefully pour the seasoned potato mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out into a single, even layer as much as possible. This ensures uniform cooking and allows the potatoes to roast rather than steam.

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8. Dot with Butter: Take your cubed salted butter and dot it evenly over the top of the potatoes in the dish. These small pockets of butter will melt into the potatoes during baking, adding incredible richness and helping them achieve a delightful crispness.

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10. First Bake (Potatoes): Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for approximately 30 minutes. The potatoes are ready when they are beautifully fork-tender and have started to develop a lovely golden hue.
11. Add Cheese and Bacon: Carefully remove the hot baking dish from the oven (and remember to always use oven mitts!). Now, evenly sprinkle the shredded three-cheese blend and the crumbled cooked bacon over the tender, hot potatoes. The residual heat will start to melt the cheese.

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13. Second Bake (Melt Cheese): Return the dish to the oven, still uncovered, and continue baking for an additional 8-10 minutes. This second short bake is just long enough for the cheese to fully melt, become bubbly, and achieve a lightly golden, irresistible crust.
14. Garnish and Serve: Once the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly, remove the dish from the oven. Before serving, generously sprinkle the top with freshly sliced green onions. This adds a vibrant, fresh touch and a mild oniony flavor that brightens the entire dish. Serve hot and prepare for rave reviews!

Serving Suggestions and Delicious Recipe Variations

One of the many charms of these Bacon Cheddar Potatoes is their incredible versatility. They are not only a star on their own but also an excellent partner to a vast array of main courses. And if you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of ways to customize them!

What to Serve with Bacon Cheddar Potatoes

These savory, cheesy bacon potatoes are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a wide array of main courses. Consider serving them alongside:

• Hearty Roasted Meats: They are a natural complement to a succulent roasted chicken, tender pork loin, or a juicy beef roast, soaking up all the delicious pan juices.
• Classic Grilled Favorites: Perfect with summer staples like grilled steak, mouth-watering burgers, or sticky barbecue ribs for a truly satisfying and robust meal.
• Elevated Brunch Spreads: Elevate your weekend brunch game by serving these potatoes alongside fluffy scrambled eggs, a savory quiche, or classic breakfast sausages.
• Simple Weeknight Dinners: Even a simple pan-seared chicken breast, baked salmon, or a fresh green salad will feel instantly more special and complete with this flavorful side.

Creative Variations to Try

Feel free to unleash your inner chef and customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences or what you happen to have in your pantry:

• Add a Spicy Kick: For those who love a bit of heat, simply add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix before baking. You can also drizzle with a dash of your favorite hot sauce just before serving.
• Infuse with Fresh Herbs: Incorporate finely chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, or chives into the potato and onion mixture before baking for an aromatic and garden-fresh twist.
• Boost with Extra Veggies: Mix in some diced bell peppers (red or green for color!), thinly sliced zucchini, or even some small broccoli florets along with the potatoes and onions for added nutrition, texture, and flavor.
• Classic Loaded Potato Style: After the cheese has melted, take these potatoes to the next level by adding a generous dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. A sprinkle of extra chives completes this indulgent, loaded baked potato experience.
• Experiment with Different Cheeses: While cheddar is a staple, don’t be afraid to try other cheese varieties. Sharp white cheddar for a bolder flavor, smoked gouda for an undeniable smoky depth, or pepper jack for a spicy, creamy kick can all create unique and delicious flavor profiles.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Convenience

While these Bacon Cheddar Potatoes are undeniably at their peak when enjoyed fresh out of the oven, their components can certainly be prepared in advance. You can also easily store any delicious leftovers for another meal.

• Prepare Components Ahead: To save time on busy days, you can slice the baby potatoes and dice the onion up to a full day in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. The bacon can also be cooked until crispy, crumbled, and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. This makes assembly on the day of serving much quicker.
• Storing and Reheating Leftovers: Any leftover Bacon Cheddar Potatoes should be stored promptly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, the best method for preserving texture is to spread them out on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven until they are heated through and the cheese is re-melted and slightly crispy again. While a microwave can be used for convenience, be aware that it might result in a softer texture for both the potatoes and the bacon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bacon Cheddar Potatoes

Can I use larger potatoes instead of baby potatoes?

Yes, you absolutely can, but you’ll need to cut them into smaller, uniform pieces (aim for about 1-inch chunks) to ensure they cook evenly and become fork-tender at the same rate as baby potatoes. The overall baking time might also need to be adjusted slightly, likely increasing by 5-10 minutes for larger pieces.

What kind of bacon is best for this recipe?

Any regular-cut pork bacon will work wonderfully in this recipe, offering that classic smoky, salty flavor. If you prefer a leaner option, turkey bacon can be used, but keep in mind that regular pork bacon typically provides the most authentic and rich flavor profile. The most important thing is to cook it until it’s perfectly crispy before crumbling.

Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! To make this recipe vegetarian-friendly, simply omit the bacon entirely. You could enhance the smoky flavor by adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke to the potatoes during the seasoning step. Alternatively, you can substitute with plant-based bacon bits for a similar textural experience.

Can I make Bacon Cheddar Potatoes in an Air Fryer?

While this recipe is specifically designed and optimized for oven baking, it can certainly be adapted for an air fryer. You would likely need to cook the potatoes in batches due to air fryer capacity, at a slightly lower temperature (around 375°F/190°C) and for a shorter duration, perhaps around 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally. The cheese and bacon would then be added for the last few minutes until melted and bubbly.

More Irresistible Potato Recipes to Explore

If you’re a true potato lover, you’re in for a treat! Discover even more fantastic potato dishes that are sure to become beloved family favorites and expand your culinary repertoire:

• Air Fryer Baby Baked Potatoes
• Bacon Wrapped Potatoes
• Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
• Cheesy Bacon Chicken and Potatoes
• Cheddar Bacon Potato Packets
• Cowboy Butter Potatoes
• Mississippi Mud Potatoes
• Crock Pot Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Soup

Recipe Card: Bacon Cheddar Potatoes

Here’s the full recipe, ready for you to cook up these amazing Bacon Cheddar Potatoes for your next meal!

Bacon Cheddar Potatoes

These easy and delicious Bacon Cheddar Potatoes are seasoned perfectly and topped with shredded cheddar cheese and crispy bacon. A truly irresistible side dish for any meal that everyone will love!

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds baby potatoes, sliced in half lengthwise
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 2 Tablespoons salted butter, cubed
• 2 cups shredded three cheese blend (e.g., cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella)
• 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
• Sliced green onion, for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced potatoes, diced onion, seasoned salt, and garlic salt. Stir well until the potatoes are evenly coated with the seasoning.
3. Pour the seasoned potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
4. Dot the top of the potatoes with the cubed salted butter.
5. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and slightly golden.
6. Carefully remove the dish from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the shredded three-cheese blend and crumbled cooked bacon over the hot potatoes.
7. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and continue baking for another 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
8. Remove from oven, sprinkle with sliced green onions, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information (Estimated Per Serving)

Calories: 299kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 18g
Sodium: 1468mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 1g

Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided here is an estimate. It can vary significantly based on specific ingredient brands, exact measurements, and preparation methods. If precise nutritional values are important to your dietary needs, we highly recommend calculating them based on the exact ingredients and brands you use in your own kitchen.

Did you make this delicious recipe? We would love to see your culinary creations! Share your photos and experiences on Instagram by tagging @thecountrycook and using the hashtag #thecountrycook!

Originally published: October 2015
Updated photos and republished: August 2022