An easy, cheesy side dish recipe loaded with everyone’s favorite flavors, but with nary a bottle of Ranch dressing or packet of seasoning in sight, you won’t believe how easy it still is to make these amazing Cheddar Bacon Ranch Roasted Potatoes.
Cheddar Bacon Ranch Roasted Potatoes
Today is the birthday of everyone’s favorite potato-lover. No, I’m not talking about Spuddy Buddy, though he comes in a close second. I’m talking about Dr. Potato, Don Odiorne. Don is the food-stagramming, FitBit challenge-busting, fancy car-appreciating, potato-loving friend to bloggers everywhere. OK, so really he is the Vice President of Foodservice for the Idaho Potato Commission and director of their website, but I think what makes him so good at that job is the wonderful person he is from top to bottom, inside and out.
Granted we have only met in person twice, but in those brief encounters, as well as the obvious adoration of those who work and interact with him in all different ways, it is clear he makes an impression on everyone he meets. The first time I attended Food Wine Conference, one night after the sessions and meals and other conference festivities were over, several of us bloggers and Don gathered in the bar for a drink and ended up chatting for hours. I honestly don’t remember exactly what we talked about, but his soft-spoken nature, genuine interest in all of us and what we had to say, and breadth of experience simultaneously had us utterly captivated and totally at ease. The second year I was at the conference, his absence due to a recent surgery was felt by everyone there. And this past spring we were all so excited to have him with us again, along with his fun ideas for dancing potato head videos and a lunch menu with potatoes from around the world. He is just has the perfect blend of the traditional ability to interact and truly engage with people on a personal level and the desire to use technology and social media to connect in new and exciting ways. I can tell you, he is one of the most unique and genuine individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting since I started this adventure in food blogging.
And today we are surprising him with a virtual surprise party for his 70th birthday!
So make sure you check out the #HappyBirthdayDrPotato all over social media to see greetings, recipes, and more celebrating this milestone for our favorite Potato Head. Now for most people, you would celebrate their birthday by making them a cake, but for Don, I think this is more appropriate…
Cheddar Bacon Ranch Roasted Potatoes are a super simple, super delicious side dish the whole family will love. But what I love most is that not only do you have that cheesy goodness and smoky bacon deliciousness, but it’s also got that unmistakable taste of everyone’s favorite Ranch dressing without using any dressing from a bottle or seasoning packets. That doesn’t mean that it’s any more time consuming or difficult to make, though. I saw this video, and knew that first, it needed bacon because, well, bacon. And second, there’s no need for bottled stuff when you have the few basic ingredients for my Pantry Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing. I did have to double up on the seasonings to make the Ranch flavor really stand out against the cheese and bacon, but by doing that, you can really taste it without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Seriously, all you have to do is boil some potatoes, and while they are cooking, stir together some Greek yogurt and a few herbs and spices. Pour it over the potatoes, toss it in the oven, then while it is still hot, mix in the bacon and cheese till it is all melty and delicious. This may be an easy side dish, but it’ll be the star of your meal!
Happy Birthday Don, and I hope you enjoy these Cheddar Bacon Ranch Roasted Potatoes!
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Cheddar Bacon Ranch Roasted Potatoes
An easy side dish recipe with everyone's favorite flavors, but made without using bottled dressing or a seasoning packet.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb small white potatoes, cut into about 1/2 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1 freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, about 4 oz.
- 4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- PREPARATION
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9 x 13 glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- Fill a large pot with water and add potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook 10-12 minutes, until slightly tender.
- While the potatoes are cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, vinegar, oil, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, dill, pepper, and paprika.
- Drain potatoes and return to pot. Stir in yogurt mixture until the potatoes are coated.
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until browned.
- While still hot, mix in the cheddar cheese and bacon.
- Serve warm.
Enjoy this Cheddar Bacon Ranch Roasted Potatoes recipe!
Here are some more spud-tastic recipes for Dr. Potato…
- Buffalo Chicken Poutine on Potato Waffles
- Gluten Free Potato Pound Cake with Berries
- Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
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