Crack Potatoes
75 Comments
Posted: 09/04/19
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These potatoes with bacon, ranch and cheese are a quick and easy side dish recipe perfect for the weeknight. They only require five ingredients – potatoes, butter, bacon bits, ranch dressing and cheese!
If you need an easy side dish I think you’re going to love these! Tender potatoes flavored with ranch and topped with melty cheese and bacon. Oh, and did I mention there’s very little prep work? You don’t even have to peel the potatoes!
It’s seriously easy – bake the potatoes, top them with cheese, bacon, and cheese and it’s ready to go. Serve them with this cheesy meatloaf, baked pork chops, baked chicken – you name it, these are the perfect side dish!
If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.
Contents
show
Ingredients Needed
- potatoes
- butter
- real bacon bits
- ranch dressing
- shredded cheese
Steps to Prepare
- Bake the potatoes – place the potatoes in a baking dish. Top them with the cubed butter and bacon bits. Cover the dish with foil and bake the potatoes at 400 degrees F for one hour or until they are fork-tender.
- Add the cheese and dressing – uncover the dish and cover the potatoes with the ranch dressing and sprinkle the cheese over the top. Stir the potatoes and then bake them for five more minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Helpful Tools
- knife
- 8×8″ baking dish
- tin foil
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can easily double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 baking dish instead and serve a crowd!
How do I store leftovers?
Whether you are freezing them or keeping them in the fridge, store the potatoes in an airtight container.
You can freeze these potatoes! Assemble and bake the potatoes as instructed and then cool it completely. You can freeze them in the baking dish just be sure to tightly cover it with plastic wrap and a lid. Or you can portion them out to smaller freezer-safe containers for smaller servings.
As long as you store them in an airtight container, these potatoes should keep well for three to five days in the refrigerator. If frozen, they should keep for two months.
Reheating Tips!
To reheat, either pop them in the microwave or you can heat them in a low oven until warmed through.
More of our favorite Potato Side Dishes!
We love potatoes around here and often make side dishes with them. Here are a few of our favorite potato side dish recipes we know you will love!
Make it a Meal!
Wondering what to serve with these potatoes? Here are a few recipes we love with them!
- Instant Pot Ribs
- Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops
- Barbecued Chicken Drumsticks
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Garlic Baked Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
I’d love it you would rate this recipe!! A five-star rating will make my day!
Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats that way I’m sure to see your pictures!!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Crack Potatoes
These potatoes are layered with ranch, cheese and bacon for a quick and easy side dish! Make this cheesy bacon ranch potato recipe for dinner tonight!
Ingredients
- 3 lb potatoes washed and cubed
- 4 tbsp butter cubed
- 1/4 c. Real Bacon Bits
- 1/4 c. ranch dressing
- 1/2 c. cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Put prepared potatoes in an 8 x 8 in. glass dish. Put butter cubes on top of potatoes. Sprinkle bacon bit on top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until potatoes are fork tender.
- Take potatoes out of oven and top with ranch dressing and cheese. Stir. Put back in oven until cheese is melted about 5 minutes.
Video
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1, Calories: 373kcal (19%), Carbohydrates: 29g (10%), Protein: 14g (28%), Fat: 22g (34%), Saturated Fat: 11g (69%), Cholesterol: 53mg (18%), Sodium: 489mg (21%), Potassium: 1011mg (29%), Fiber: 5g (21%), Vitamin A: 435IU (9%), Vitamin C: 26.2mg (32%), Calcium: 216mg (22%), Iron: 7.6mg (42%)
Vionnette Velez says
I made them! Delish!!!!!!
Julie says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Rachel says
what type of potatoes work best for this recipe? Red or russet?
Julie says
It really shouldn’t matter what you use, I actually used Yukon gold but any potato will turn out great!
Katerra says
These were amazing I used chopped bacon though will make again
Julie says
You can never go wrong with chopped bacon! Glad you enjoyed them!
Katerra says
Ranch in a jar or bottle
Julie says
Whatever kind of ranch dressing you prefer best!
Melissa says
Does it have to be ranch dressing?
Julie says
If you don’t have ranch dressing or don’t want to use it, you could try cream cheese or sour cream with ranch seasoning.
Donna Mansour says
Ummm yes….these will be happening over and over again. So good and definitely very addicting!
Julie says
Glad you loved them!
Barbara Moran says
I made this tonight & this is delicious!! I have tried a lot of your recipes & they are all great! Thank you
Julie says
You’re welcome! Thanks for the rating and review, Barbara!
Melanie says
I made this tonite. My husband and I ate the whole thing!!! Absolutely delicious!!!
Pat says
Is this regular ranch dressing or the dry stuff in the packets?
Julie Evink says
Regular!
Megan says
Did you use bacon chopped up or the bacon bits in the jar?
Julie Evink says
They are actually in a little bag that is yellow and they are titled “Real Bacon Bits” they should be by the jarred ones in your grocery store and salad dressings!
Megan says
Thanks! I am making them for a big birthday gathering at my house tomorrow, can’t wait to try them!
Paul Jenney says
Go to costco, they sell a pound+ bag of bacon bits that are amazing
Michelle says
I made these the other night when we had company over- They were AMAZING!!!
Julie says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! 🙂
Carina says
I found this on Tasty Kitchen and can’t wait to try it!
Jenna @ Newlyweds says
Your recipe is being featured as a most popular recipe on Newlyweds recipe Linky this week. Thanks so much for joining in.
Sunshine says
Mmmmmm…I must try this
Carole says
Oooh, yes… We don’t do ranch dressing. Do you think mayo thinned down with a little cream or sour cream would work?
Have a great week!
Lynne says
I make an almost identical recipe except I use sour cream and a light drizzle of sweet chilli sauce. It is delicious!
Julie Evink says
Oh that sounds wonderful!
Hope says
using a creamy Italian or Sweet Vadalia Onion dressing in place of Ranch.. We dont use ranch either. 🙂
Julie Evink says
Let me know how that turns out!
Jen says
Pretty sure I am going to have to give this a try! Looks amazing.