If you are on the hunt for a crowd-pleasing side dish that brings together everything you love about comfort food with a fun party vibe, look no further than this amazing Sour Cream and Onion Party Potatoes Recipe. This dish combines tender, creamy potatoes with the zing of onion soup mix, the creaminess of sour cream and cream cheese, and the irresistible crunch of buttery cracker topping. It’s the ultimate baked mashed potato experience that’s perfect for holiday celebrations, potlucks, or any time you want to wow your guests with something rich, savory, and downright delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures. From the creamy dairy to the crunchy topping, these essentials come together effortlessly to make this dish unforgettable.
- Russet potatoes (2 lbs, peeled and cubed): These starchy potatoes give you a fluffy base perfect for mashing.
- Sour cream (1 cup): Adds tangy creaminess that makes the potatoes silky smooth.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): Boosts richness and helps provide a velvety texture.
- Milk (1/2 cup): Lightens the mash just enough without losing creaminess.
- Unsalted butter (1/4 cup melted + 2 tbsp for topping): Essential for that luscious buttery flavor and crisp topping.
- Dry onion soup mix (1 oz packet): The secret seasoning that infuses the dish with savory onion and herb magic.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a subtle garlic warmth to round out the flavor.
- Salt and pepper (to taste): Enhances and balances every bite perfectly.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (1 1/2 cups, divided): Cheesy goodness folded in and sprinkled on top for melty, golden perfection.
- Chopped green onions (1/4 cup): Freshness and a mild onion bite brightening up the dish.
- Crushed buttery crackers (1 cup, like Ritz): Provides the irresistibly crunchy, savory topping that turns this into a party hit.
How to Make Sour Cream and Onion Party Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Boil Your Potatoes
Start by peeling and cubing your russet potatoes into even pieces so they cook uniformly. Place them in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, which usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. This step ensures a perfect texture for mashing—soft but not waterlogged.
Step 2: Mash and Season the Potatoes
Drain the potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot or a large mixing bowl. It’s time to get creamy! Add your sour cream, softened cream cheese, milk, and melted butter. Sprinkle in the dry onion soup mix and garlic powder, then season with salt and pepper to your taste. Mash everything together until smooth and fluffy, folding in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and the fresh green onions last. This is where all those amazing flavors meld beautifully.
Step 3: Assemble for Baking
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Spread your creamy potato mixture evenly across the dish, smoothing it out with a spatula. In a small bowl, mix your crushed buttery crackers with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this crunchy topping evenly over the mashed potatoes, then finish off by adding the leftover 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the crackers. This layered approach creates that memorable crispy, cheesy crust.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop your dish into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You want the topping to turn golden brown, the cheese to melt bubbling beautifully, and the whole dish heated through. Once baked, let your Sour Cream and Onion Party Potatoes Recipe sit for about 5 to 10 minutes—that little rest helps it set and makes serving easier.
How to Serve Sour Cream and Onion Party Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
For an inviting finish, sprinkle a few fresh chopped chives or green onions on top right before serving to add a vibrant pop of color and a fresh onion zing. If you’re feeling adventurous, a little crispy bacon crumble or a dollop of extra sour cream can elevate this dish even further.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with grilled meats like steak or chicken, roasted vegetables, or a crisp garden salad to balance out the richness. It’s such a versatile crowd-pleaser that it fits perfectly alongside any hearty main course or can even shine as the star side at holiday dinners and casual get-togethers.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to make a striking impression, serve the Sour Cream and Onion Party Potatoes Recipe in individual ramekins topped with cracker crumbs for single servings. You could also turn it into a casserole bar with toppings such as chopped bacon, extra cheese, or sour cream on the side for guests to customize their plates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Sour Cream and Onion Party Potatoes are just as delightful the next day! Store any uneaten portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and simply reheat when ready to serve.
Freezing
This recipe freezes well before baking. Prepare fully, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed, adding extra time if needed.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, cover the dish with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings but reheating in the oven preserves the crispy topping much better.
FAQs
Can I use instant potatoes instead of fresh ones?
While fresh russet potatoes yield the best texture and flavor, you can use instant mashed potatoes in a pinch. Just make sure to adjust the liquid and seasoning to mimic the creamy, rich notes of sour cream and onion.
Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?
Absolutely! Substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream and use reduced-fat cream cheese. You might also want to cut back on the butter slightly to keep it lighter but still creamy and tasty.
Can I add extra onion flavor?
Yes! Sautéed diced onions or shallots mixed into the mashed potatoes before baking can layer in even more onion goodness without overpowering the dish.
What kind of crackers work best for the topping?
Buttery crackers such as Ritz or Saltines crushed into small pieces are ideal for creating that satisfying crunchy topping. You can experiment with flavored crackers for a twist but keep the buttery quality for best results.
How far ahead can I prepare this dish?
You can prepare the entire dish a day before baking. Keep it covered and refrigerated, then bake it fresh right before your party or meal to serve it warm and bubbly.
Final Thoughts
This Sour Cream and Onion Party Potatoes Recipe is truly one of those dishes that brings comfort, joy, and crowd-pleasing flavor to your table every time. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, hosting a party, or simply craving a tasty side, this recipe delivers creamy, cheesy goodness with a crunchy finish that everyone will love. I can’t wait for you to try it and share it with your favorite people!
Print
Sour Cream and Onion Party Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Sour Cream and Onion Party Potatoes recipe is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful baked side dish perfect for holidays, parties, or any family gathering. Made with mashed russet potatoes blended with sour cream, cream cheese, milk, onion soup mix, and cheddar cheese, topped with a buttery crushed cracker crust, it delivers a delightful combination of textures and a comforting taste that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Potato Mixture
- 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 packet (1 oz) dry onion soup mix
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Topping
- 1 cup crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Potatoes: Boil the cubed russet potatoes in a large pot of salted water until they are fork-tender, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Then drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot.
- Mash Potatoes with Ingredients: Mash the potatoes thoroughly with sour cream, softened cream cheese, milk, melted butter, dry onion soup mix, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Cheese and Onions: Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese along with the chopped green onions into the mashed potatoes to blend evenly.
- Transfer Mixture to Dish: Spread the creamy potato mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare and Add Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed buttery crackers with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the potatoes. Then, top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the dish sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- You can prepare this dish a day in advance and refrigerate it before baking to save time.
- For an extra boost of onion flavor, consider adding sautéed diced onions into the mashed potato mixture.
- Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier variation.
