For a flavor-packed potato side dish, make this delicious Crack Potatoes recipe. Tender potatoes topped with a seasoned creamy ranch sauce then topped with cheddar cheese and baked until hot and bubbly. Finish with crumbled bacon and green onions for the perfect potato casserole!

Crack Potatoes Recipe
Whenever we need a quick and easy potato dish to add to a meal, this Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potato Bake is a go-to recipe! Just peel and cut the potatoes, then while they boil, whip up the very simple ranch sauce to pour over the potatoes and bake with cheese. We love the extra flavor from the crispy bacon on top! These potatoes are great with chicken, steak, pork chops, and more.
For more side dish goodness, check out these recipes: Cilantro Lime Coleslaw | Cheesy Roasted Asparagus Casserole | 5 Ingredient Souper Rice | Easy Honey Glazed Carrots
The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potato Bake (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the easy to print recipe card):
- Potatoes – russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work very well.
- Salt and black pepper – just enough to lightly season the potatoes.
- Ranch dressing – use any full-fat ranch dressing that you like.
- Sour cream
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Cheddar cheese – the cheddar cheese will be both mixed in to the sauce and also sprinkled over top of the casserole to make it extra cheesy.
- Bacon – use any kind of bacon you like.
- Green onion – the green onion will add extra flavor and color to the top of the casserole.
How to Make Crack Potatoes
Preheat oven to 400°F and boil the potatoes in a large pot of water over high heat until fork tender. Drain the water from the pot and transfer the potatoes to a 2-quart baking dish. Season the potatoes with just a little bit of salt and pepper to taste.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ranch dressing, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and 1 cup of the cheese.
Pour the mixture all over the potatoes in the baking dish and toss lightly to coat the potatoes.
Bake uncovered at 400°F for 15 minutes.
Remove the casserole from oven and top with the remaining cheese and bacon. Return the dish to the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, until cheese is melted. Top with the chopped green onion and serve hot.
How to Store the Leftovers
Keep the leftover potato casserole in an airtight food storage container or covered tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to three days.
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Crack Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds potatoes peeled and cubed
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese divided
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 green onion chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Boil the potatoes in a large pot of water over high heat until fork tender. Drain the water from the pot and transfer the potatoes to a 2-quart baking dish. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ranch dressing, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and 1 cup of the cheese. Pour the mixture all over the potatoes in the baking dish and toss lightly to coat the potatoes.
- Bake uncovered at 400°F for 15 minutes.
- Remove the casserole from oven and top with the remaining cheese and bacon. Return the dish to the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, until cheese is melted. Top with the chopped green onion and serve hot.