f you need an easy side dish that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did, these Baked Parmesan Mashed Potatoes are it!

This recipe starts with family-size packages of Bob Evans mashed potatoes, but we’re giving them a serious upgrade with cream cheese, sour cream, butter, and plenty of Parmesan cheese.

One of my favorite parts is what happens on the bottom of the casserole dish. Before adding the potatoes, I rub the dish with butter and generously sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese. Then the creamy potatoes go right on top. As everything bakes, you get that buttery Parmesan layer underneath and a gorgeous golden, cheesy top.

It’s easy, creamy, cheesy, and perfect when you need to feed a crowd.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Mashed Potato Casserole

I love a good shortcut, especially when I’m cooking a big meal. Starting with refrigerated mashed potatoes means most of the work is already done!

Adding cream cheese and sour cream makes the potatoes extra creamy and rich without having to peel, boil, and mash a single potato.

These would be perfect for:

• Thanksgiving dinner
• Christmas dinner
• Easter
• Sunday supper
• Potlucks
• Family get-togethers
• An easy weeknight side dish

And because everything is assembled in a 9×13-inch casserole dish, you can take it straight from the oven to the table.

 

Baked Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 2 family-size packages Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes
• 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 stick (½ cup) butter
• 1–1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese, or enough to generously cover the bottom and top of the casserole

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking dish.
Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Take your stick of butter and rub some of it generously over the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Sprinkle a generous layer of grated Parmesan cheese over the buttered bottom of the dish. Set aside.

2. Make the creamy mashed potatoes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, softened cream cheese, and sour cream.

Mix everything together until creamy and well combined.

3. Assemble the casserole.
Spread the mashed potato mixture evenly over the Parmesan-covered bottom of your baking dish.

Slice the remaining butter into thin pats and arrange them over the top of the potatoes.

Finish everything with another generous layer of Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake.
Bake at 350°F for approximately 30–40 minutes, or until the potatoes are heated through and the Parmesan on top is golden brown.

If you want the top extra golden, place the casserole under the broiler for a minute or two at the end. Just keep an eye on it because Parmesan can brown quickly!

Serve warm.

An Easy Shortcut for Holiday Mashed Potatoes

These are exactly the kind of potatoes I want to make for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

There are already enough dishes competing for space on the stove, so skipping the peeling, chopping, boiling, and mashing is a win.

You still get a rich, creamy mashed potato casserole that feels special enough for a holiday table.

And nobody needs to know how easy it was!

Can You Make Parmesan Mashed Potatoes Ahead of Time?

Yes! That’s another reason this recipe works so well for entertaining.

Prepare the casserole through the point of adding the Parmesan and butter on top. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.

When you’re ready to serve, take the casserole out of the refrigerator while the oven preheats and bake until completely heated through and golden on top. A casserole going into the oven cold may need a little extra baking time.

What to Serve With Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

These potatoes can go with just about anything you would normally serve with mashed potatoes.

Try them alongside ham, turkey, roast beef, chicken, pork tenderloin, meatloaf, or your favorite slow-cooker main dish.

And if you’re putting together a holiday meal, this is one of those easy sides you can hand off to the oven while you finish everything else.

Finding Easy Tip

Don’t be shy with the Parmesan!

You want a good layer over the butter on the bottom of the casserole dish and another generous layer across the top. Those cheesy layers are what take these shortcut mashed potatoes from ordinary to something everyone will want another scoop of.