mmmmm: loaded baked potato casserole

it's back to school time and, to me, that means easy-to-fix, prep-ahead meals. this loaded baked potato casserole is a family favorite----it is delicious, filling and comforting----*plus* it makes for fantastic left-overs (if you have any). :-)

loaded baked potato casserole

ingredients:

10 large russet baking potatoes (about 7 pounds total)
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon country crock
1 cup sour cream

1 cup half and half
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided use)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chopped green onions, for garnish
2 lbs. bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (divided use)

directions: 
preheat oven to 350 f. pierce potatoes and place on baking pan. bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until very soft. remove from the oven and set aside on a wire rack until cool enough to handle. (you can also choose to peel and boil potatoes, if this is easier for you).

when the potatoes have cooled, cut each potato in half and, using a spoon, scoop the flesh out of the skins and into a large bowl. to the bowl, add 1/2 cup of country crock , the sour cream, cream cheese, half and half, minced garlic, salt, and pepper and mash until chunky-smooth. add half of the bacon, half of the grated cheese, and mix thoroughly.

coat the bottom and sides of a 13x9-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of country crock (it is so easy to spread). place potato mixture in dish, cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate casserole until ready to bake.

when ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 f, remove plastic wrap and bake casserole 35-40 minutes until hot. sprinkle remaining shredded cheese and bacon over casserole and return to oven for about 10 minutes, until bubbly around the edges and heated through and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden. serve hot,  garnished with chopped green onions, right before serving.

country crock has 0g trans fat per serving, contains no partially hydrogenated oils and no cholesterol. it also has 70% less fat than butter per serving and 30% fewer calories.

visit country country via their pinterest page or their facebook page for more #QuickFixCasseroles.

i was selected for this opportunity as a member of clever girls collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.