Spooky Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole - Spooky Treats

2 lbs. Idaho potatoes, peeled and chopped into chunks

1 teaspoon salt

4 Tablespoons butter

3/4-1 cup milk or half and half

Salt and pepper, to taste

4 ounces cheddar or colby jack cheese, shredded

8 slices bacon

1/3 cup sour cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Bring a large pot of water and 1 Tbs. salt to a simmer on the stove top.Add the potatoes and bring to boil. Boil for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.

Meanwhile, fry the bacon on the stovetop until crispy. Remove the bacon strips to a paper towel lined plate. Once they're cool enough to handle, crumble the bacon and set aside.

When the potatoes are done, drain, then return to the pot. Place the pot back on the burner, and use a potato masher to mash them over very low heat. Continue mashing until no lumps remain.

Turn off the heat, then add 4 Tablespoons of butter and ½ cup of milk or cream. Slowly mash in the added ingredients until smooth. Continue to add the cream, a little bit at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. Taste the potatoes and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Spread the potatoes into a 9 inch deep dish pie dish and cover with shredded cheese and the crumbled bacon. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Allow the casserole to cool for 10-15 minutes before adding the spider web.

To make the web, add the sour cream to a zip lock bag and cut a tiny hole in one corner. Twist the bag above the sour cream and use your hand to squeeze the sour cream towards the hole. You may want to practice drawing a line once or twice before doing it on the casserole.

You'll start the web by drawing four straight lines through the center of the casserole, like you would cut a pie. Start by making a T through the center, and then follow that with an X through the center. In the end, you should have eight equal spaces. Starting in the center of the pie, draw a small circle, connecting each of the eight sections. Move a few inches outward and draw another circle. Move another inch or two outward and draw one final circle. Top with a fake spider of one made from olives. Serve while the potatoes are still warm. You can also prepare this ahead of time, refrigerate, then bake the day of and add the spider web right before serving.

https://neighborfoodblog.com/2014/09/loaded-mashed-potato-casserole.html