Creamy Cheesy Potato Bake

This creamy, cheesy potato bake is the perfect side for when you want to make dinner a little bit special without spending hours cooking.

Made with layers of potato, sweet potato, bacon, and onion, and topped with golden melted cheese, it’s a very easy and versatile dish.

I usually serve this potato bake with grilled or pan-fried meats such as steak, chicken, or salmon but it also goes really well with roast beef, chicken, or lamb.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Bacon

I prefer using middle bacon for this dish. It contains both the streaky and short cut sections, which makes it flavourful without being overly fatty. I usually buy a 250g packet and trim off the rind and any excess fat which brings it down to about 200g. Adding bacon gives the potato bake a delicious rich, salty flavour but it still tastes great without it if you prefer a vegetarian version.

Onion

One medium to large brown onion works well. If your onions are on the smaller side, use two. Alternatively, about four shallots (not to be confused with spring onions) can be used for a slightly milder flavour.

Olive Oil

I always add a little bit of olive oil when I’m frying bacon and onion because it helps the onions soften properly without burning or sticking to the pan.

Potato

Use two large white potatoes (roughly 400-500g in total). I opt for prewashed potatoes and simply rinse them again at home. There’s no need to peel them, as the skin is very thin and packed with fibre and nutrients. Slice the potatoes into 5mm thick rounds before cooking.

Sweet Potato

One medium sweet potato (about 400-500g) is enough. You should have approximately equal parts white potato and sweet potato. Unlike regular potatoes, I do peel the sweet potato for this recipe as the skin is thicker. Slice the sweet potato into 5mm thick rounds before cooking.

Cream

You can use either thickened cream or cooking cream as they are essentially the same thing. Cream is an essential ingredient in this creamy cheesy potato bake but you can make variations of potato bake without cream.

Cheese

I usually use pre-shredded cheddar cheese or a blend of cheddar with other cheeses like mozzarella or parmesan for convenience. Cheddar cheese has a nice strong flavour while mozzarella adds stretch, and parmesan gives a sharper, saltier flavour. Whichever combination you use, the cheese melts into a delicious golden topping that finishes the dish off perfectly.

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

Preheat your oven to 180^oC (360^oF) fan forced and lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish (also called a casserole dish). The baking dish I used is approximately 2L (68 fl. oz) in capacity.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon and Onion

Add the sliced bacon and onion to a large frying pan along with the olive oil. Fry over a medium-high heat until the onion is soft and the bacon is crispy. Remember to stir the mixture frequently to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the pan and to ensure they cook evenly.

Many people skip the oil, thinking the bacon fat will be enough but I find that adding olive oil from the start helps the onions soften properly and prevents them from sticking or browning too quickly.

Step 3: Cook the Potatoes

Place the sliced white and sweet potatoes in separate microwave-safe bowls. Cover with microwave lids and cook each until just softened. I use the ‘potato’ function on my microwave, which takes about 5 minutes. If yours doesn’t have this function, try heating in two-minute intervals until done.

Microwaving is much quicker than boiling and helps the slices retain their shape but if you prefer, you can boil the potatoes whole and then slice them once cooled.

Step 4: Assemble the Potato Bake

Layer the potatoes and the bacon-onion mixture in the prepared baking dish. Pour the cream evenly over the top, gently tilting the dish to help it settle between the layers. Don’t pack the ingredients too tightly as you want the cream to flow through the gaps.

Step 5: Bake the Potato Bake

Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Make sure the cheese is well-browned for the best flavour and texture.

Serving Suggestions

This creamy, cheesy potato bake is such a versatile side dish. It goes perfectly with grilled or pan-fried meats such as steak, chicken, or salmon. It also goes really well with roast beef, chicken, or lamb.   

Storage Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I really like the tempered glass containers from Glasslock as they seal well and are easy to clean. Some versions are oven-safe too, so you can bake and store in the same dish (just remember not to put the lid in the oven!).

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