A super simple side dish, these Ranch potatoes are kid and parent approved! All you need are a few simple ingredients and you’ll be on your way to a ranch, bacon, and cheese potato side dish to rave over!
Love potato side dishes? Also try these Funeral Potatoes, Scalloped Potatoes, or these Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes.
Side dishes are a struggle at my house. Not only trying to decide what to make, but finding something that everyone will actually eat.
Well, these Ranch Potatoes get devoured at my house.
But really, what’s not to love? Potatoes, bacon, ranch, and cheese. Sound like the perfect combination to me!
And they don’t take a ton of hands on time, so your time can be spent making the main dish instead of putting all of your effort into the side dish.
Ingredients
- Potatoes: I used russet potatoes here, but have used reds and Yukons before. I remove the peel for russets, but will leave them on for reds or yukons.
- Chili Powder, Salt, and Pepper: All for seasoning. The chili powder doesn’t make these spicy – just gives a nice flavor in the background.
- Butter: You want to make sure and cube these pretty small so that you can distribute it evenly over the top of the potatoes.
- Bacon: Everything is better with bacon, right? But if you do want to leave it off, you could.
- Ranch Dressing: You can use homemade ranch dressing or store bought.
- Cheese: I think colby-jack is perfect here, but could easily be substituted for cheddar, monterey jack, mozzarella, or any other cheese that will melt well.
How to Make Ranch Potatoes
Start by cubing your potatoes. I like to keep them about 1/2-inch in diameter.
Place the potatoes in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, then sprinkle with the chili powder, salt, and pepper. I do this all in the casserole dish – no need to dirty up an extra bowl!
Distribute the cubed butter over the top, then cover the dish with foil. Bake until the potatoes are fork tender, about 45 minutes.
While the potatoes are in the oven, cook your bacon. I like to dice it first, then cook it, but you could always cook the slices and then crumble them.
When the potatoes are done, remove the dish from the oven and remove the foil. Sprinkle the bacon over the top, then evenly pour the ranch dressing over that.
Last, add the cheese, then return the dish to the oven. Bake until the cheese is melted, about another 10 minutes.
Tips and Tricks
For even more flavor, add in some garlic or garlic powder.
Potatoes will often have a weird texture after freezing, so I wouldn’t suggest freezing this recipe.
If you want to make these potatoes ahead of time, I would suggest baking the potatoes, let them cool, then top with the bacon, ranch, and cheese. Refrigerate until ready to serve, then bake at 400ºF until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are heated through. This will probably take around 20 minutes.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More Kid Approved Side Dishes
Glazed Carrots
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Baked French Fries
Crown Ruby Fruit Salad
Homemade Tater Tots
Baked Beans with Bacon
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Ranch Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 lbs potatoes cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter cut into small cubes
- 1/2 lb bacon cut into small pieces
- 8 oz Ranch dressing homemade or store bought
- 8 oz Colby-Jack cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Put the potatoes in the baking dish. Sprinkle the chili powder, salt, and pepper over the top. Mix lightly. Top with the small cubes of butter.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.
- While the potatoes are baking, heat a skillet over medium high heat and add the bacon. Cook until crisp, then remove to a paper towel lined plate.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and sprinkle the bacon over the top. Cover evenly with the ranch dressing, then top with the shredded cheese. Return to the oven and continue to bake until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
Desi says
Yes, please! I’m always looking for new ways to try potatoes. These are definitely going in the rotation!
Peggy says
So glad you chose to post this because it sounds amazing!
shelly (cookies and cups) says
This is the perfect meal in my house! I LOVE stuff like this! Pinning these now!
Candace Karu says
It’s back to school time and that means potlucks and group dinners. This would be a perfect “bring along” dish. Thanks for a great idea!
Jessica says
Great photo, it looks absolutely delicious! I want to grab that fork through the screen and dig in!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
Short and Sweet, and these look amazing! Perfect for an end of the summer BBQ!
Jeanette says
Now those are some decadent looking potatoes, like a stuffed potato deconstructed.
Bev Weidner says
Holy crap. When I read the title of this post, my limbs grew weak and I oozed out of the chair.
DIVINE.
Baking Serendipity says
This sounds fantastic! Thanks for changing your mind…I can imagine these being a hit 🙂
Joanne says
Haha that’s as good reasoning as any! They do sound seriously addictive…
Katrina says
Mmm simple and delicious!
fittingbackin says
This looks fabulous and filling too – love the potato chunks – I think my family would love this!!
Raina says
Yum! These look really good. I love finding new ways to serve potatoes:)
Heather @girlichef says
I think my kids would go nuts for these. Potatoes + Ranch + Bacon = No Brainer! Seriously yum 😀
Vivienne says
im glad you decided to share 😀 im always looking for ways to fancy up my spuds! this looks sooo tasty and simple…i sometimes half steam my potatoes first before bake coz it seems a little bit faster!
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite says
What a beautiful photo! This sounds like the perfect dish…cheesy, potato-y…delicious!