Bacon Lovers Loaded Mashed Potatoes RECIPE (& a Giveaway!!)
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ALDI.
Thanksgiving is one of my FAVORITE holidays. Why? Because of the family and friends and FOOD time. A few years ago, we started hosting Thanksgiving at our house and I was put in charge of Thanksgiving dinner and all the food. It’s a big job, but I actually LOVE to cook and so I look forward to it every year. I love planning the menu, I love figuring out what recipes I’m going to incorporate, and honestly, I love being able to bless my family with something like making a big meal!
My sister does all the desserts (duh! Because she’s the best…), but I do all the food. Turkey, sides, bread, etc. But, if you’ve ever planned and cooked a whole Thanksgiving meal, you know it is a lot of work and (depending on how many people you’re cooking for), it can really add up and be a costly meal.
A few years ago, I discovered ALDI and it has quickly become one of my FAVORITE grocery stores to shop. Seriously. I am ALDI obsessed. I love that it’s simple, it’s small (usually less than 10,000 square feet of shopping space!), I can get in and out easily, they carry a lot of great ALDI exclusive brands that are EXACTLY THE SAME as the national competitor brands (but WAY more affordable), and I also love that they have SO many healthy, organic, gmo-free, and natural food options for a great price as well.
They’re able to keep prices so low because they cut out a lot of the unnecessary overhead expenses in staffing, shelf displays, and other extraneous services like pharmacy or on-site banking.
Over the past couple of years I’ve done a large majority of my Thanksgiving-dinner-shopping at ALDI and I’ve been able to save a TON of money that way, while also getting delicious ingredients for my meals!
I thought I’d share one of my all-time favorite side dish recipes that is perfect for Thanksgiving: Bacon lovers LOADED mashed potatoes. I realize this isn’t the healthiest of recipes… but hey… it’s the holidays! C’est la vie!
I also thought I’d show you guys some comparisons between the ALDI brands and national brands – they are EXACTLY the same (especially in taste… sometimes the ALDI brand is even better…), but they are way more affordable at ALDI!
First up? Bacon! Mmmmmmm…. bacon…..
ALDI “Never Any!” Appleton Farms Bacon (12 oz.) – $4.49 vs. Applegate Naturals Bacon – $5.49 (8 oz.)
Is there a scent or a sound better than that of cooking bacon? I think not.
Boiling those potatoes and getting them ready for mashing!
And the whipped cream cheese is SO good and SO much more affordable than the name brand!
ALDI Happy Farms Whipped Cream Cheese Spread – $1.49 vs. Philadelphia Whipped Cream Cheese Spread – $3.99
Now, technically the crescent rolls weren’t part of my recipe… but Thanksgiving dinner isn’t the same without some ooey gooey buttery crescent rolls. Am I right?
ALDI Crescent Rolls – $0.99 vs. Pillsbury Crescent Rolls – $2.07
Here’s what you’re going to end up with… DELICIOUS bacon lovers loaded mashed potatoes. Mmmm… my mouth is watering!
Here’s the recipe:
Bacon Lovers Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 lb uncured bacon I used 1lb Appleton Farms Never Any! Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon
- 2 lbs of golden potatoes
- 1 cup of plain greek yogurt I used Friendly Farms Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 cup of whipped cream cheese I used Happy Farms Whipped Cream Cheese Spread
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese I used Happy Farms Sharp Cheddar Shredded Cheese
- 1/2 cup of milk I used ALDI Friendly Farm's skim milk
- 1 packet of ranch seasoning I used Stonemill Essentials Ranch Salad Dressing Mix
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- You could also add chives but I don't like chives so I omitted them
Instructions
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Cook bacon
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In a large pot, bring water to boil, then boil potatoes in water for approx. 15 minutes, or until fork tender
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Drain the potatoes and place in a large bowl
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Mash potatoes using a Potato Masher
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Chop crispy bacon and set aside
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In a separate bowl, combine greek yogurt, whipped cream cheese, ranch packet, salt & pepper, and garlic, stir well, then transfer into large bowl containing mashed potatoes
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Add in a little milk at a time to reach desired consistency in the potatoes.
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Stir in chopped bacon and shredded sharp cheddar
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Mix ingredients thoroughly and ENJOY!
What about you? What’s your favorite side dish to make on Thanksgiving? Have you ever shopped at ALDI before? If you have, you too, know how awesome it is.
I also have an awesome giveaway courtesy of ALDI for you…
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ALDI.
who won $200 ALDI Gift Card
This needs to happen in my house, asap.
If my husband saw this, he would demand I make mashed potatoes no other way! 🙂 but, I love loaded mashed potatoes, so I’m okay with that!
OMG this seriously looks delish! Passing this recipe on to my mom to make next week 😁
Um, this looks delicious! It basically combines two of my favorite things — bacon and potatoes.
Oh my goodness! This looks delicious! We love mashed potatoes.
These look mouthwatering! We use cream cheese in our potatoes too, so much creamier!
We looove mashed potatoes around here! That recipe looks and sounds so delish! Thanks for sharing!
I love Aldi, there is one about 1/2 hour from us.
Entered and this looks SO GOOD!
These look so amazing!!! I am definitely going to be making this soon! Thank YOU for sharing 🙂
That looks phenomenal
Who doesn’t love bacon?? Mashed potatoes… plus … bacon!! I am drooling!
THEFOREVERTEACHER
What an awesome idea to make mashed potatoes with bacon!
they’re SO good!!!
Yum! What a great recipe! Adding bacon to anything makes it better.
xo, Lee
bacon is basically its own food group! hahaha
Oh my gosh, my husband would go crazy for these! Saving this recipe for sure.
xx Lexi, Glitter, Inc.
my husband was a HUGE fan!
OMG this looks so good! My husband and my son would be all over it, especially with the bacon!
bacon for DAYS!!!!
Great post, Molly! This is a small thing, but I noticed your plates match plates used in our family and it warms my heart to see that pattern on my screen this morning. Thank you!
i love that!! these plates were my grandmothers!! they’ve been in my family for decades!!
Okay, Aldi is everything. Definitely saving this recipe!
i seriously LOVE ALDI!
Oh my goodness… potatoes, bacon, and cheese? Yes, please! This sounds delicious. I’ve actually never shopped at ALDI but I know there’s one near my house so I should give it a try. Our families are spread out all over the state so we usually end up traveling to both ends during the Thanksgiving holiday because it’s much easier. We did host our parents a few times, though, and it was really fun despite the stress of cooking everything. I would totally do it again.
NCsquared Life
you would LOVE ALDI. it’s so easy to shop and everything is sooooooo affordable.
Thanksgiving is my favorite too! We host and I always do the bird, mashed potatoes, gravy, deviled eggs and some form of dessert. Our families bring the rest! I might have to try this twist on mashed potatoes this year!
it’s SO good!
That recipe looks amazing! I am also an Aldi addict!
yes! ALDI is the best!
Those potatoes look delicious! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays too because I love the laughs and time with family. Plus, macaroni and cheese and stuffing are my favorite foods. LOL!
heck yeah! we count down the days till thanksgiving in our house!!