Easy Mashed Potato Casserole

By pdixon1

Mmm! Cheesy garlic mashed potatoes you can make ahead.
Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 45 min

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons butter or margarine
• 16 medium green onions, sliced (1 cup)
• 1 medium yellow or orange bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
• 3 cups hot water
• 1 cup half-and-half or whole milk
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 package (7.2 oz) Betty Crocker® roasted garlic mashed potatoes (2 pouches)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 oz)

Details

Servings 8
Adapted from bettycrocker.com

Preparation

Step 1

1.Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt 2 teaspoons butter over medium-high heat. Cook onions and bell pepper in butter 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; set aside.
2.In 2-quart saucepan, heat water, half-and-half and 1/4 cup butter to boiling; remove from heat. Stir in both pouches of potatoes (and seasoning) just until moistened. Let stand about 1 minute or until liquid is absorbed. Beat with fork until smooth.
3.Spoon 1 1/3 cups of the potatoes into casserole; top with half of the onion mixture and 3/4 cup of the cheese. Spoon another 1 1/3 cups potatoes over cheese; carefully spread to cover. Sprinkle evenly with remaining onion mixture. Top with remaining potatoes; carefully spread to cover. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese.
4.Bake uncovered about 30 minutes or until hot.

Do-Ahead
Make the potatoes up to 24 hours ahead of time, following directions through step 3, then cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake about 45 minutes or until hot.
Substitution
Half-and-half is what makes these potatoes so rich and creamy. If you don't have it on hand, though, you can use milk for a less creamy version.