The Perfect Mississippi Mud Potatoes Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Mississippi mud potatoes represent a Southern culinary treasure that promises pure comfort and indulgence.

This hearty potato dish combines rustic ingredients with rich, bold flavors that dance across your palate.

Creamy textures and crispy elements merge into a mouthwatering experience that defies simple side dish expectations.

Home cooks adore these potatoes for their versatility and crowd-pleasing potential at gatherings large and small.

Each bite delivers a satisfying blend of savory notes that elevate ordinary potato preparations to something extraordinary.

Simple ingredients reimagine into a spectacular accompaniment that sparks conversation and celebration.

What Makes Mississippi Mud Potatoes So Comforting

• Savor Bacon-Loaded Comfort: Crispy bacon crumbles elevate these potatoes from ordinary to extraordinary, delivering a smoky, salty punch that makes every bite irresistibly delicious.
• Creamy Cheese Indulgence: Melted cheddar cheese creates a luscious, gooey coating that binds the ingredients together, providing a rich and satisfying texture that comfort food lovers will adore.
• Effortless One-Pan Wonder: This recipe requires minimal prep work and uses a single baking pan, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal cleanup and effort.

All the Creamy, Cheesy Goodness You’ll Need

• Potatoes: Starchy foundation of the dish, choose firm and waxy varieties for best texture.
• Onion: Adds sharp flavor and aromatic base, fresh and crisp onions work best.
• Garlic: Provides deep, robust flavor background, fresh minced garlic recommended.

• Bacon: Brings smoky and salty dimension, crispy texture crucial for maximum flavor impact.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty component that adds rich, creamy character to the dish.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy binder that helps ingredients adhere and maintains moisture throughout baking.
• Non-Stick Spray or Butter: Essential for preventing sticking and ensuring easy pan release.

Simple How-To for Hearty Mud Potatoes

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

• Peel and dice of potatoes into consistent pieces
• Cook of bacon until crispy, then crumble
• Shred of cheddar cheese
• Chop of onion finely
• Mince of garlic

Set all prepared ingredients aside.

Step 2: Preheat Oven

Set the oven to 325°F (163°C) to ensure perfect cooking conditions.

Step 3: Mix Potato Goodness

• Diced potatoes
• Crumbled bacon
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Minced garlic
• Chopped onion

Pour of mayonnaise over the mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated and deliciously mixed.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Pan

Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan using butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Spread and Settle

Transfer the potato mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out in an even layer for consistent cooking.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Pro tip: Gently stir halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover with aluminum foil.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Remove from the oven when potatoes are tender and top is golden brown. Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy as a hearty side dish with grilled meats or as a satisfying main course.

Tips for a Richer, More Flavorful Potato Bake

• Master Potato Cutting: Ensure uniform dicing by using a sharp knife and cutting potatoes into similar-sized pieces for consistent cooking and texture.
• Bacon Brilliance: Crisp bacon thoroughly before crumbling to add maximum crunch and intense flavor throughout the potato dish.
• Cheese Distribution Secret: Shred cheese freshly and toss gently to prevent clumping, guaranteeing every bite has delicious cheesy goodness.
• Moisture Management: Mix mayonnaise carefully to coat potatoes evenly without making the mixture too wet, which could prevent proper browning.
• Golden Crust Technique: Watch potatoes closely during final baking stage and use foil strategically to control browning while ensuring potatoes remain tender and perfectly cooked.

How to Reheat Without Losing That Creamy Texture

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer leftover Mississippi Mud Potatoes into an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, keeping the dish good for 3-4 days.
• Freezing Method: Carefully pack cooled potatoes in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn, then store for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time.
• Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated potatoes in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with aluminum foil to retain moisture. For frozen portions, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Stir gently halfway through warming to ensure even temperature distribution and maintain the original crispy bacon and cheesy texture.

What to Serve with Mississippi Mud Potatoes

• Pair with Smoky BBQ Ribs: The crispy bacon and cheesy potatoes perfectly complement the rich, tender meat of BBQ ribs. Grill some juicy pork ribs with a tangy sauce to create a mouthwatering combination that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Serve with Craft Beer: A hoppy IPA or a smooth amber ale cuts through the richness of the cheesy potatoes. The beer's carbonation and slight bitterness balance the creamy, savory dish, creating a delightful flavor harmony.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Whip up a crisp green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette. The salad's bright, fresh flavors will contrast beautifully with the heavy, indulgent Mississippi Mud Potatoes, providing a refreshing counterpoint.
• Elevate with Chilled White Wine: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the dish's richness. Its acidic notes and cool temperature offer a perfect palate cleanser between bites of the hearty potato casserole.

Flavor Boosts to Try Next Time You Make It

• Smoky Ranch Potato Bake: Replace mayonnaise with ranch dressing and add smoked paprika for extra depth. Sprinkle chopped chives on top for a fresh herb kick.
• Loaded Mexican Potato Casserole: Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese and mix in diced green chilies. Top with fresh cilantro and serve with sour cream for a zesty southwestern feel.
• Vegetarian Herb Garden Potatoes: Substitute bacon with roasted sunflower seeds for crunch. Add fresh thyme, rosemary, and parmesan cheese to create a rich herbal profile without meat.
• Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Potatoes: Incorporate diced jalapeños into the mixture and use pepper jack cheese. Drizzle hot sauce over the top before serving for extra heat and excitement.

Mississippi Mud Potatoes Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mississippi mud potatoes bring Southern comfort straight to your dinner table with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and ranch-seasoned potato chunks. Hearty potato lovers will savor this irresistible side dish that combines creamy textures and bold flavors in one mouthwatering skillet.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups (1.4 kg) diced and peeled potatoes
• 1 cup (240 ml) freshly shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (240 ml) crumbled and cooked bacon

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
• ½ cup (120 ml) chopped onion
• 3 teaspoons (15 ml) minced garlic

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Instructions

1. Carefully peel and dice of potatoes into uniform cubes, ensuring consistent size for even cooking. Render of bacon until crisp and golden, then crumble into small pieces.
2. Grate of sharp cheddar cheese using a box grater, creating delicate shreds. Finely mince ½ cup of yellow onions and of fresh garlic cloves.
3. Position the oven rack in the center and preheat to 325°F (163°C), allowing the temperature to stabilize for optimal baking conditions.
4. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine diced potatoes, crispy bacon fragments, freshly grated cheese, minced garlic, and chopped onions. Pour ½ cup of creamy mayonnaise over the mixture, gently folding ingredients to ensure complete and even coating.
5. Thoroughly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish using unsalted butter or a non-stick cooking spray to prevent potential sticking.
6. Transfer the seasoned potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading the contents into a smooth, uniform layer using a silicone spatula or the back of a spoon.
7. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and cook for approximately 75 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to promote consistent browning. If the top begins to darken too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil.
8. Remove from the oven when potatoes are fork-tender and the surface displays a rich, golden-brown crust. Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which helps the flavors meld and facilitates easier portioning.

Notes

• Gather all ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and avoid last-minute scrambling.
• Bacon provides a smoky, salty crunch that transforms ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary side dish.
• Shredding cheese by hand melts more smoothly and creates a more luxurious texture compared to pre-shredded varieties.
• Mixing ingredients thoroughly ensures every bite delivers maximum flavor and consistent seasoning throughout the dish.
• Covering with foil prevents excessive browning while allowing potatoes to cook evenly and maintain moisture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 415 kcal
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 35mg