Loaded Bacon + Roasted Garlic Potatoes Recipe: Cozy Comfort Perfection

Crispy, golden loaded bacon roasted garlic potatoes promise an explosion of flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Each bite combines smoky, salty bacon with mellow roasted garlic notes.

Comfort food reaches new heights with this irresistible side dish.

Potatoes transform into a crunchy, creamy masterpiece under careful seasoning and cooking techniques.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a crowd-pleasing accompaniment that feels both rustic and gourmet.

Layers of complex flavors will have everyone asking for seconds.

You won’t be able to resist this ultimate potato experience.

What’s to Love About Loaded Bacon + Garlic Potatoes

• Flavor Explosion: Packed with rich bacon, roasted garlic, and two types of creamy Tillamook cheddar for an incredibly satisfying taste experience.
• Beginner-Friendly Cooking: Super easy recipe that requires minimal cooking skills, perfect for home cooks wanting to impress without complex techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: A hearty side dish that transforms simple potatoes into a luxurious, indulgent meal everyone from kids to adults will absolutely love.
• Versatile Occasion Dish: Ideal for family dinners, holiday gatherings, potlucks, and casual weekend meals that demand something extra special and delicious.

Loaded Bacon + Garlic Potato Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Potatoes: Fresh, starchy base for this comforting dish.

• Tillamook Sharp Cheddar: Rich and tangy cheese with bold flavor.
• Tillamook White Cheddar: Smooth and creamy cheese complement.
• Milk: Creamy liquid for sauce base.
• Butter: Rich, smooth fat for sauce development.

• Bacon: Crispy, salty meat for topping and flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasoning combo for balanced taste.
• Paprika, Thyme, Rosemary: Aromatic herbs and spices for depth.
• Roasted Garlic: Soft, mellow, intense flavor enhancer.

• Flour: Thickening agent for smooth cheese sauce.
• Bacon Fat: Extra flavor booster from rendered bacon.

Instructions for Loaded Bacon Garlic Potatoes

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Baking Dish

Warm up your oven to a toasty 375°F.

Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a light greasing to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Crisp Up The Bacon

Cook bacon in a large skillet until it transforms into crispy, golden perfection.

Crumble the bacon into delightful bits and set aside.

Keep 2-3 tablespoons of that liquid gold bacon fat in the pan.

Step 3: Create A Velvety Roux

Drop butter into the skillet with the reserved bacon fat.

Once melted, sprinkle in flour and whisk like a culinary pro.

Let it cook and turn golden for 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Build A Luxurious Sauce Base

Pour milk into the skillet slowly, whisking continuously until the mixture transforms into a smooth, thick sauce.

Step 5: Boost Flavor Profile

• Roasted garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Thyme
• Rosemary

Stir everything until beautifully combined.

Step 6: Cheese It Up

• Sharp Cheddar
• White Cheddar

Stir until the sauce becomes dreamily creamy.

Step 7: Layer And Dress Potatoes

Arrange sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish.

Lavish them with the cheesy sauce, making sure every potato slice gets cozy.

Sprinkle those crispy bacon bits all over the top.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Then uncover, sprinkle extra sharp cheddar, and bake for another 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender and the top looks irresistibly golden and bubbly.

Step 9: Rest And Serve

Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes.

This helps the sauce settle and intensifies the flavors.

Serve hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Tips for Roasted Garlic Potato Success

• Reserve the bacon fat for an extra punch of smoky, rich taste in your sauce.
• Wrap whole garlic bulbs in foil and roast at 400°F for 40 minutes to develop a deep, sweet, caramelized flavor.
• Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create even potato slices, ensuring consistent cooking and a professional presentation.
• Pat potato slices dry with paper towels before layering to remove excess moisture and achieve a crispy top layer.
• Grate cheese at room temperature and add it gradually while stirring to create a smooth, silky cheese sauce without clumping.

Keep Bacon Garlic Potatoes Fresh

• Transfer leftover potatoes to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway to ensure even heating.
• Add a sprinkle of fresh cheese on top before reheating to restore the crispy, golden surface and revive the original creamy consistency.

What Goes Well with Garlic Bacon Potatoes

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the richness of the bacon and cheese, refreshing your palate with its bright, zesty notes.
• Complement with Green Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy, creamy potato dish and add a fresh, peppery contrast.
• Match with Roasted Chicken: Serve alongside a simple herb-roasted chicken to create a complete meal that highlights the potatoes' robust flavors without overwhelming the senses.
• Enhance with Pickled Vegetables: Quick-pickled cucumber or carrots provide a tangy, crunchy element that breaks up the dish's creaminess and adds a vibrant touch to the plate.

Potato Side Dish Swaps and Twists

• Vegetarian Version: Replace bacon with crispy roasted mushrooms or smoked tofu for a plant-based protein alternative that maintains the savory flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute Tillamook cheeses with cashew-based cheese sauce or nutritional yeast, using coconut milk instead of regular milk to create a creamy texture.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets or turnip slices, maintaining the same seasoning and cheese sauce for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version of the dish.
• Gluten-Free Modification: Use cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend instead of wheat flour for the roux, ensuring the sauce remains thick and smooth while accommodating gluten-sensitive individuals.

FAQs

• How do I roast garlic for this recipe?

Slice the top off a whole garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 400°F for 30-40 minutes until soft and golden brown. Squeeze the roasted cloves out of their skin and mash before adding to the cheese sauce.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute the Tillamook cheddar with other sharp or white cheddar cheeses. Just ensure they melt well and have a similar flavor profile to maintain the recipe’s richness.

• What's the best way to slice potatoes for this dish?

Use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to cut potatoes into uniform 1/4-inch thick slices. This ensures even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the dish.

• Is it necessary to use bacon fat in the recipe?

The bacon fat adds depth of flavor, but you can substitute with butter if needed. However, the bacon fat provides a unique richness that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

Loaded Bacon + Roasted Garlic Potatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sizzling loaded bacon + roasted garlic potatoes blend savory comfort with irresistible flavor profiles. Rich potato wedges topped with crispy bacon bits and golden roasted garlic promise a memorable side dish that satisfies deep cravings and delights dinner companions.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 45 medium yukon potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 6 strips of bacon
• 56 cloves of roasted garlic

Cheese and Dairy:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, shredded
• 6 ounces (170 grams) Tillamook Sharp White Cheddar, shredded
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups whole milk

Seasonings and Other Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F and coating a 9×13 inch baking vessel with a thin layer of grease.
2. Render bacon in a large skillet until achieving a perfectly crisp texture, then extract and crumble the meat, preserving 2-3 tablespoons of rendered fat within the pan.
3. Introduce butter to the reserved bacon drippings, then incorporate flour to construct a smooth, golden roux by whisking continuously for approximately 1-2 minutes.
4. Incrementally stream milk into the roux, maintaining constant motion to develop a velvety, uniform sauce that thickens progressively.
5. Infuse the sauce with roasted garlic, aromatic herbs, and seasonings, blending thoroughly to distribute robust flavors throughout the mixture.
6. Gradually fold in both sharp and white cheddar cheeses, stirring until achieving a luxuriously creamy consistency with no visible cheese lumps.
7. Arrange potato slices uniformly across the prepared baking dish, then cascade the cheese sauce over the layers, ensuring complete and even coverage.
8. Distribute crumbled bacon across the potato surface as a crunchy, savory garnish.
9. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, allowing potatoes to soften and absorb the rich, creamy sauce.
10. Uncover the dish, sprinkle additional sharp cheddar on top, and return to the oven for a final 15-20 minutes until the surface transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
11. Allow the potato gratin to rest briefly, permitting flavors to settle and sauce to slightly firm before serving this decadent side dish.

Notes

• Roast garlic ahead of time to deepen the flavor and develop a sweeter, mellow taste without sharp intensity.
• Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for a creamier, smoother texture that holds together during baking.
• Cut potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the dish.
• Drain excess bacon fat if you prefer a lighter version, but keep some for incredible depth of flavor.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère or smoked Gouda for unique taste profiles.
• Use low-sodium bacon and reduced-fat cheese to create a more diet-friendly option without sacrificing taste.
• Allow the dish to rest after baking to help the sauce set and make serving easier.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg