Baked Cheesy Ranch Potatoes: the irresistible recipe for a comforting side dish

If you love the zesty, savory flavor of ranch dressing, you have to try these easy baked cheesy ranch potatoes. These delicious cheesy potatoes are baked to perfection in a mouthwatering mix of creamy ranch dressing, cheese, crispy bacon, and spices.

Baked cheesy ranch potatoes only take about half an hour to make, so they're ideal for those nights when you want to serve up a hearty side dish but don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen. When you're in the mood for tasty comfort food you can serve in no time, cheesy ranch potatoes are the way to go!

Cheesy Ranch Potatoes Ingredients

The best potatoes for this recipe are Russets, red potatoes, or Yukon golds. They have the best flavor and texture for baking.

You'll also need ranch dressing, cheese, and sour cream to give the dish its characteristic creamy texture.

Spices like onion and garlic powder and paprika add loads of flavor to your cheesy ranch potatoes while crispy bacon adds a bit of crunch.

How to Bake Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

To make the creamiest, cheesiest ranch potatoes, start by parboiling the potatoes for 8 minutes in boiling water. While the potatoes are boiling, mix the ranch dressing, sour cream, salt pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and ½ cup cheese in a bowl.

Once the potatoes are tender, drain them, then transfer them to a baking dish or cast-iron skillet. Pour the ranch mixture over the potatoes and make sure to toss them well to coat them in the dressing.

Bake the potatoes for 15 minutes, then take the baking dish out of the oven. Crumble the bacon over the top of the potatoes and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the top of the potatoes. Pop it back under the heat for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese melts.

Tips for the Best Baked Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

You can either peel the potatoes or leave them unpeeled.

While this recipe calls for bacon, you could swap it out for sausage meat, pancetta, shredded chicken, pulled pork, or chopped roasted veggies (for a vegetarian option).

You don't need to use cheddar to make cheesy ranch potatoes. Jack, Gouda, Gruyere, Swiss, Parmesan, or a mix of a few different kinds of cheese would all work well in this recipe.

Give this hearty potato dish a kick with a dash of cayenne pepper.

What to Serve with Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

Baked cheesy ranch potatoes are a fantastic, hearty side dish that's great with all sorts of meals. Serve this dish with grilled steak, roasted chicken, pork chops.

Don't forget a green salad or some roasted veggies to complete your meal!

How to Store Baked Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

Wait until the potatoes have cooled, then wrap the baking dish in cling film and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat them in a skillet until they're warmed through when you want to enjoy them again.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400F.

Put the potatoes in a large pot. Add cold water and salt. Bring to a boil and parboil the potatoes for 8 minutes, until they just become tender. Drain and set aside.

Combine ranch dressing, sour cream, salt pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and ½ cup cheese in a bowl. Put the potatoes in a baking dish or cast-iron skillet. Pour the ranch mixture over the potatoes.

Toss to combine.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp.

Take the potatoes out of the oven. Crumble the bacon over the top of the potatoes.

Add the remaining cheese.

Spread it evenly.

Bake for 2 to 3 more minutes, until the cheese melts. Garnish with some herbs. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Shred the cheese yourself. It'll melt more evenly over the potatoes.