Loaded Campfire Mashed Potato Casserole

Loaded Campfire Mashed Potato Casserole

Creamy, Cheesy, Crispy and Absolutely Not Behaving Like a Side Dish

This takes the original mashed potato casserole and pushes it straight into loaded-baked-potato territory. Creamy mashed potatoes get folded with sour cream, smoky bacon, melted cheese and roasted garlic, then topped with crispy onions, kettle chips and parmesan for a crunchy finish. It’s rich, cozy and exactly the kind of thing that disappears fast at a campground potluck.

Serves: 10–12
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the Casserole

• 4 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
• ½ cup salted butter, melted
• 1 cup heavy cream, warmed
• 1 (16 oz) container sour cream
• 1 (1 oz) envelope onion soup mix
• 1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
• 4 cloves roasted garlic, mashed
• ½ cup lightly crushed crispy fried onions
• 1½ tsp kosher salt
• Black pepper, to taste

For the Crunchy Topping

• 1 cup lightly crushed crispy fried onions
• 1 cup lightly crushed kettle-cooked potato chips
• ¼ cup grated parmesan
• ½ cup shredded cheddar

For Finishing

• Chopped green onions or chives
• Extra crispy bacon
• Sour cream, optional

Directions

1️⃣ Cook the Potatoes

Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water by about 1 inch.

Bring to a boil and cook for 20–25 minutes until fork tender.

Drain well and return them to the warm pot.

2️⃣ Build the Creamy Base

Mash the potatoes until mostly smooth.

Add the melted butter, warm cream, sour cream, onion soup mix and roasted garlic.

Stir until creamy and combined.

3️⃣ Load Them Up

Fold in the bacon, cheddar, Monterey Jack and crispy fried onions.

Season with salt and black pepper.

Try not to eat half of it out of the pot before it makes it into the casserole dish. 😂

4️⃣ Fill the Dish

Transfer the potato mixture to a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish or large cast-iron skillet.

Spread into an even layer.

5️⃣ Add the Crunch

Combine the crispy onions, potato chips, parmesan and cheddar.

Scatter the mixture evenly over the top.

6️⃣ Bake Until Golden

Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until hot and bubbling with a golden, crunchy top.

Finish with green onions, extra bacon and a few dollops of sour cream if you want to go full loaded-potato mode.

RVD Signature Twists

• Jalapeño Popper – Add chopped jalapeños, Pepper Jack and a little cream cheese.
• Steakhouse Loaded – Fold in chopped leftover steak and swap part of the cheddar for smoked Gouda.
• Roasted Garlic Lover – Double the roasted garlic and finish with garlic butter before serving.
• Bacon Ranch – Add ranch seasoning and extra bacon for an even more indulgent version.
• Campfire Cast-Iron – Bake it in a covered cast-iron skillet over indirect campfire heat until the top is bubbling and crisp.

RV-Friendly Notes

✔ Make-ahead friendly
✔ Great for potlucks
✔ Oven or campfire friendly
✔ Easy to reheat
✔ Feeds a crowd
✔ Perfect use for leftover bacon or potatoes
✔ Can be assembled the day before
✔ One casserole dish for serving and reheating

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving — Serves 12

Calories: ~465
Protein: ~15g
Carbohydrates: ~38g
Fat: ~28g
Fiber: ~3g
Sugar: ~3g

Nutrition will vary depending on cheese, bacon and toppings used.

❤️ Why RVers Love It

The original was already made for campground potlucks, but this version leans harder into the loaded baked potato flavors everybody loves. (RV Destinations) The bacon, roasted garlic and extra cheese make it feel new, while that crispy potato-chip-and-onion topping gives you the crunch that mashed potatoes desperately need.