Loaded Cheesy Mashed Potatoes in a Cast Iron Skillet Recipe
Loaded Cheesy Mashed Potatoes cooked in a cast iron skillet, featuring creamy Yukon gold potatoes blended with spicy ghost pepper cheese, roasted red peppers, crispy bacon, and green onions. This recipe can be baked or smoked for a flavorful twist, resulting in a rich, cheesy, and slightly crispy mashed potato dish perfect as a hearty side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large Yukon gold potatoes (or russet, peeled and cut into fourths)
Dairy and Cheese
- ½ cup salted butter
- 7 oz ghost pepper cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Vegetables and Add-ins
- ½ cup roasted red peppers (or peppadew, chopped)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon green onions (chopped)
Meat
- 3 bacon slices (cooked until crispy and crumbled)
Cooking Aids
- Ghee cooking spray (or olive oil)
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes: Add 4 large peeled and quartered Yukon gold potatoes to a large stock pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain using a colander.
- Mash Potatoes: Return the drained potatoes to the pot and mash with a potato masher until desired consistency is achieved; smooth or chunky based on preference.
- Add Butter: Cut ½ cup salted butter into small pieces and fold into the mashed potatoes until fully melted and incorporated.
- Mix in Cheese: Stir in 7 oz shredded ghost pepper cheese thoroughly into the potatoes.
- Add Peppers and Season: Incorporate ½ cup chopped roasted red peppers and 1 teaspoon salt into the mixture.
- Add Cream: Gradually add ½ cup heavy whipping cream, stirring for a creamy texture. Add more if needed for desired creaminess.
- Prepare Skillet: Spray a cast iron skillet well with ghee cooking spray or olive oil. Spread the mashed potato mixture evenly in the skillet.
- Cooking Option – Smoking: Smoke the mashed potatoes at 225℉ for 1 hour. Then increase the smoker temperature to 300℉ and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes or until heated through.
- Cooking Option – Baking: Alternatively, bake the skillet at 325℉ for 15 minutes until the cheese melts and the top becomes slightly crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Top the potatoes with a dusting of paprika, crumbled crispy bacon, chopped green onions, and place one tablespoon of butter in the center before serving.
Notes
- If smoking, the 300℉ step is just to reheat. For other cooked items like chicken requiring higher heat, you may skip the exact temperature and allow gradual warming.
- Cheese substitutions: Use pepper jack for less spice, smoked gouda or cheddar for smoky flavor or any preferred cheese.
- Storage: Cool completely, store in an airtight container, refrigerate, and reheat in skillet or microwave.
Keywords: mashed potatoes, cheesy mashed potatoes, loaded mashed potatoes, ghost pepper cheese, bacon mashed potatoes, cast iron skillet, smoked mashed potatoes, baked mashed potatoes
