Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

This is another favorite of ours that we found on allrecipes.com. Our family loves mashed potatoes, and we love them flavored just right. The sour cream, cheese, bacon and green onion chives makes this mashed potato casserole amazing. If we're ever in a rush, then we just mix all the ingredients together, and omit baking it in the oven. But when company comes over, we like the presentation of the cheese, bacon and chive topping. Plus, you can make this ahead of time in the morning and have it in the pan all ready to go, and then just pop it in the oven for 20 minutes and serve!

Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

INGREDIENTS:

- 8 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

- 1/2 cup sour cream

- 1/3 cup butter or margarine

- 1 tsp. salt

- 1/4 tsp. pepper

- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

- 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled (the original recipe called for only 2 strips which to our taste was not enough. I know I've done 6 bacon strips, and possibly more, depending on the thickness of the bacon).

- 1 tsp. minced green onion chives

DIRECTIONS: Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water; cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 20 minutes. Drain and beat with beaters. Add the sour cream, butter, salt and pepper. Beat until smooth and fluffy. (You can stop right here for some awesome mashed potatoes). Transfer to a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with cheese, bacon and chives. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 20 minutes, or until heated through and cheese is melted.