The Southern Side Dish That Stole Our Hearts In 2024

Potato casseroles are practically a food group in the South, which means that most self-respecting Southern chefs have an arsenal of cheesy, starchy, belly-filling potato-based sides in their recipe boxes. There’s classic hashbrown casserole for rounding our your brunch spread and elegant scalloped potatoes for a special occasion night. And you can’t forget sweet potato casserole during the holiday season.

While each and every potato casserole has a special place in our hearts, in 2024, one recent recipe rose above the rest: Mississippi Mud Potatoes.

What Are Mississippi Mud Potatoes?

While the origin of the recipe’s name may be a little … muddy, one thing that’s crystal clear is how much of a slam dunk it is. Our developer compares Mississippi Mud Potatoes to Cracker Barrel’s beloved version of Hashbrown Casserole, but it also has some similarities to Party Potatoes.

To make this favorite side dish, combine cubed Russet potatoes with a creamy mixture of sour cream, mayonnaise, and shredded Cheddar cheese seasoned with scallions, garlic powder, and salt. Finally, fold in crumbled bacon bits and bake the entire mixture in your trusty 13×9 on 325 degrees for about an hour and a half. The result is a bubbling heated, cheesy, and super comforting side dish that combines all the best flavors of loaded baked potato into one easy-to-assemble casserole.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Why We Love Mississippi Mud Potatoes

• It’s basic to make: It doesn’t get any simpler than crisping some bacon in the oven, peeling and dicing some potatoes, mixing everything together with a few dairy products, and sticking the whole thing in the oven. You likely have most—if not all—ingredients on hand already, and after just an hour and a half in the oven, you’ll have a complete side dish that everyone will love. Active time comes in at just around 20 minutes, so you won’t have to work all day in the kitchen for a dish that will truly impress.
• The texture is superior: Mashed potatoes are a little one-note with the ultra-smooth texture, while French fries can go in the opposite direction with too much crunch, but Mississippi Mud Potatoes can do it all. The casserole combines the best of a pliable, tender, luscious baked potato with the unique satisfaction of a crispy, cheesy crust on top. The bacon adds a salty chew and cubing the potatoes instead of shredding them means you have a little something more to bite into. It’s a win-win no matter which way you look at it.
• It’s versatile: Serve this dish alongside a pan-seared steak or crispy baked chicken thighs for dinner. Whip it up for hearty weekend breakfast or brunch, or you can even keep a pan on hand for quick weekday lunches served alongside a nice green salad. Mississippi Mud Potatoes are delicious eaten at any time of day, but they’re also well suited to those with dietary restrictions. The 7-ingredient recipe is gluten-free, so you can make it for the next potluck or get-together without having to worry about who can and can’t eat it.