Rub a bit of oil on the outside of the potato so all areas are covered
1 tablespoon oil
Poke potatoes 3-4 times with a fork
Place on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 45-55 minutes until potatoes are fully cooked
Allow potatoes to cool until they are cool enough to handle. Slice potatoes in half and scoop out the potato into a bowl. Save skin from one potato.
Mash potatoes with a potato masher
Add butter and sour cream and mash into potatoes
½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup butter
Stir in milk, about half at a time using enough to make the potatoes creamy. Add additional milk if needed. The amount does vary each time depending on your potatoes and don't hesitate to add more.
½ cup milk
Set aside ½ cup of cheese, a few tablespoons of the bacon and a few tablespoons of the green onion for the topping. Fold in remaining cheese, bacon, green onions and salt and pepper.
6 slices bacon, 2 cups cheddar cheese, 4 green onions, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
Chop the reserved potato skin and add to mixture
Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if needed
Place mixture in a greased baking dish
Top with remaining cheese and bacon
Bake uncovered in a 375°F oven for 25-30 minutes until heated through
Top with remaining green onions and freshly chopped parsley
2 teaspoons fresh parsley
Serve hot
Notes
Make certain the potatoes are fully cooked. Test by gently squeezing the potatoes in the center. If they squeeze easily, they are done.
Allow the potatoes to cool enough to handle
Save the skin from one of the potatoes to add to the casserole. It adds some great baked potato flavor. I like to finely chop mine.
The amount of milk added will vary each time. You want nice creamy potatoes, so add a bit more if needed.
For a richer potato casserole, use half-and-half cream instead of the milk
Don't over-stir the potatoes or they can become gummy. Just fold in the ingredients until combined.
Make ahead directionsThis is a great casserole to make ahead of time and then baked when needed. You can prepare up to two days ahead of time.
Prepare the casserole up to the baking step
Cover with foil and store in the refrigerator
Remove from refrigerator while the oven is preheating
Bake with foil for the first 15 minutes
Remove foil and continue baking until heated through 30-35 minutes