🥓🧀🥔🍽️ Bacon Cheddar Ranch Potato Casserole – a delicious and comforting dish that combines the savory flavors of bacon, the richness of cheddar cheese, and the zesty kick of ranch seasoning with tender potatoes. Here’s a detailed response with all the information you need:
History:
The exact origin of Bacon Cheddar Ranch Potato Casserole isn’t well-documented, but it falls into the category of American comfort food. It likely evolved from the love of combining classic ingredients like bacon, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing with potatoes to create a hearty and satisfying casserole.
Components:
- Potatoes: The star of the dish, typically russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, sliced into thin rounds.
- Bacon: Crispy, crumbled bacon adds a smoky and salty flavor to the casserole.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese, grated, for that rich and creamy element.
- Ranch Seasoning: A mixture of ranch seasoning, which usually includes herbs, garlic, onion, and buttermilk flavors.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: A creamy base that binds everything together.
- Sour Cream: Adds creaminess and tang to the casserole.
- Butter: Typically melted butter is used for added richness.
- Salt and Pepper: To season the dish to taste.
Steps to Prepare:
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Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Prepare the Potatoes: Slice the potatoes into thin rounds, about 1/8 inch thick, and set aside.
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Prepare the Bacon: Cook the bacon until it’s crispy, then crumble it into small pieces.
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Make the Ranch Mixture: In a large bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and some of the grated cheddar cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Layer the Casserole: Create layers in the baking dish – start with a layer of sliced potatoes, followed by the ranch mixture, crumbled bacon, and more cheddar cheese. Repeat until all ingredients are used up, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
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Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
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Serve: Let it cool slightly before serving, and garnish with fresh herbs or extra bacon if desired.
Time Needed:
The preparation time for this dish is approximately 20-30 minutes, and the baking time takes around 1 hour. So, in total, you can expect to spend about 1 hour and 20-30 minutes to prepare and cook this scrumptious Bacon Cheddar Ranch Potato Casserole.
Enjoy your delicious casserole! 🥓🧀🥔🍽️😋
Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Bacon Cheddar Ranch Potato Casserole:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values for a Serving):
- Calories: Around 350-400 calories per serving (based on ingredients and portion size).
- Total Fat: Approximately 20-25 grams.
- Saturated Fat: About 8-10 grams.
- Cholesterol: Around 30-40 milligrams.
- Sodium: Approximately 800-900 milligrams (varies depending on the ranch seasoning and bacon).
- Carbohydrates: About 30-35 grams.
- Dietary Fiber: Approximately 2-3 grams.
- Protein: About 10-15 grams.
Health Information:
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Calories: The casserole can be calorie-dense due to the cheese, bacon, and creamy ingredients. It’s a delicious but high-calorie dish, so portion control is important if you’re watching your calorie intake.
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Fat: The dish contains a significant amount of fat, primarily from bacon and cheese. While fat is an essential nutrient, this casserole is not a low-fat option.
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Saturated Fat: Bacon and cheese are high in saturated fat, which can contribute to high cholesterol levels and heart disease. It’s advisable to enjoy this casserole in moderation.
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Cholesterol: Bacon is a significant source of dietary cholesterol. If you’re concerned about cholesterol intake, consider using turkey bacon or reducing the amount of bacon in the recipe.
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Sodium: The dish can be high in sodium due to the cheese and ranch seasoning. High sodium intake can be a concern for individuals with high blood pressure, so it’s important to be mindful of your sodium intake throughout the day.
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Carbohydrates: The carbohydrate content comes from the potatoes and some from the soup and ranch seasoning. It’s a good source of energy, but if you’re watching your carb intake, be mindful of portion sizes.
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Dietary Fiber: The casserole doesn’t have a high fiber content. Consider adding a side of vegetables or a salad to increase your fiber intake and make the meal more balanced.
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Protein: The dish provides a moderate amount of protein, primarily from the bacon and cheese. Protein is essential for body functions, but be aware of portion size and balance it with other protein sources in your diet.
In summary, while Bacon Cheddar Ranch Potato Casserole is undoubtedly delicious, it’s not the healthiest option due to its high calorie, fat, and sodium content. It’s best enjoyed in moderation as an indulgent treat rather than a regular part of a healthy diet. If you’re looking for a healthier version, consider using lower-fat ingredients, reducing the amount of bacon, and incorporating more vegetables.
