Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes With Optional Bacon Food

SLOW-COOKER LOADED MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a Dutch oven, adding water to cover. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until tender, 10-15 minutes. Drain; return to pan. Mash with cream cheese, sour cream, butter and milk. Stir in bacon, cheeses, onions and seasonings. Cover; refrigerate overnight., Transfer to a greased 3- or 4-quart slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 3 to 3-1/2 hours.

SLOW COOKER LOADED MASHED POTATOES (WITH OPTIONAL BACON)

Steps:

• Add potatoes to a 3-quart or larger slow cooker. Dot with the butter and sprinkle on the salt. Pour water or vegetable broth over the top. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low 7-8 hours, or until potatoes are fork-tender. Turn off the slow cooker, remove the lid, and let cool for a few minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup half-and-half and sour cream. Mash and stir with a potato masher until well-combined. Add more half-and-half for a thinner consistency, if desired. Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese and most of the scallions, reserving some of the green slices for garnish. Taste and add additional salt and some pepper if desired.
• Transfer to a medium-size casserole dish or serving bowl, piling the potatoes lightly. Add additional butter, if desired, and top with the remaining cheddar cheese and the remaining scallions. Pass with the bacon in a separate bowl so diners can top with bacon if desired (or leave it off if they prefer).

SLOW-COOKER MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Toss the potatoes, butter, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 1 cup of water, then cover and cook on high until the potatoes are tender, about 4 hours. (The potatoes might have browned lightly in spots but that is okay.)
• Remove the lid and add the sour cream and 1 1/2 cups warm milk to the potatoes. Use a potato masher to smash the potatoes until they are mostly smooth. If the potatoes need to be thinned out, stir in the remaining 1/2 cup warm milk. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Garnish with chives.

CREAMY LOADED MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 2-quart shallow baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
• Cover potatoes with water in 4-quart saucepot; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender; drain and mash.
• Stir in 1 cup cheese, Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise, sour cream, green onions and 4 strips crumbled bacon. Turn into prepared baking dish and bake 30 minutes or until bubbling.
• Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bacon. Bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish, if desired, with additional chopped green onions.

V'S DO-AHEAD SLOW COOKER MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Place the potatoes, water, and butter into a slow cooker.
• Season with salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
• Cover, and cook High for 4 hours.
• Do not remove the excess water from slow cooker. This adds to the creamy texture.
• Mash potatoes with a masher or electric beater, adding the desired amount of warm milk to achieve a creamy consistency.
• Keep warm on low until serving.
• My slow cooker has a warm setting which it automatically goes to once cooking time has been reached. Potatoes keep consistency for a couple of hours after mashing. Just keep the lid on the slow cooker and serve directly from there.