Mississippi Mud Potatoes
This recipe creates a hearty and savory potato dish, combining tender diced potatoes with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, aromatic onion and garlic, all bound together in a creamy mayonnaise base. It's seasoned to taste and finished with fresh green onions, making for a rich and comforting side or main course.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot For boiling potatoes
- 1 Large Skillet For cooking bacon
- 1 Chef's knife For dicing and chopping ingredients
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For combining ingredients
- 1 Baking Dish For assembling and baking
Ingredients
Main
- 2 1/2 cups diced potatoes
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 garlic cloves pressed
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a medium baking dish.
- Peel and dice the potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch cubes. Place in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil.
- Cook potatoes until fork-tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain thoroughly and let them steam dry in the colander for a few minutes.
- While potatoes cook, fry the bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble once cooled.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained potatoes, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, pressed garlic, and mayonnaise.
- Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
- Transfer the potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and the top is lightly golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped green onions before serving warm.
Notes
For an elevated 'mud' texture, boil the diced potatoes just until tender, then drain thoroughly and let them steam dry for a few minutes. This prevents a watery final dish. When cooking bacon, aim for crisp, not burnt, for optimal texture contrast. For enhanced flavor, consider a quick sauté of the diced onion and pressed garlic before mixing to mellow their raw bite and develop sweetness. A touch of smoked paprika or a dash of your favorite hot sauce would also add complexity to the creamy base. Ensure generous seasoning throughout the mixing process for a balanced final taste.