THANKSGIVING CASSEROLES TO MAKE AHEAD RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F
• In a large pot, add the diced potatoes and cover with cold water
• Bring to a simmer and cook until al dente, about 7 to 9 minutes
• Drain and set aside
• In a large bowl, mix together the cheddar cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, butter, green onions, Parmesan and hot sauce (if using) until thoroughly combined
• Add the al dente potatoes and season with salt and pepper
• Gently mix until fully combined, then transfer to a greased 9 x 9-inch baking dish
• If you're making the optional sliced potato topping, continue here
• If not, jump to the next paragraph
• In a medium bowl, gently toss the potato slices and canola oil until evenly coated
• Arrange the potato slices with overlapping edges on top of the potato mixture until completely covered
• Season with salt and pepper
• Bake on the center rack until the top is golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes
• Garnish with thyme leaves right before serving
• Storage Instructions: Cool completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days
• Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Instructions: Cool completely, cover tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months
• For best results, defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating
• Preheat oven to 375°F and bake until thoroughly warmed through, about 15 to 20 minutes
• To bake directly from frozen, preheat the oven to 375°F and bake until thoroughly warmed through, about 30 to 35 minutes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400° F/200° C/Gas Mark 6. Prepare and grease 9x13-inch casserole dish. With a toothpick, poke a few holes into every potato. Bake potatoes for about 1 hour or until fully cooked. Let it cool for 15 minutes. Take a large skillet, put bacon in it, and cook for about 10 minutes or until evenly browned, turning occasionally. Drain bacon slices on paper towels and then crumble. Take each potato and cut a thin slice from one side of it. Scoop out the potato flesh carefully and put it to the bowl discarding skins. Mix potatoes with the next eight ingredients (from Cheddar cheese to garlic powder). Spread the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and top with the rest of cheese and bacon. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until it starts to bubble. Cool for 5 minutes or more before serving.