There’s nothing quite like a potato and bacon bake for taking the pressure off a busy evening. It only takes a few minutes to put together, and then the oven does the rest of the work while you get on with homework, bath time, or simply putting your feet up.
Layers of thinly sliced potato, smoky bacon and sweet red onion are baked in cream and stock until meltingly soft, then finished with a golden layer of melted cheese. It’s the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with a gorgeous smell and disappears fast at the table.
Ingredients
- 250g smoked bacon or pancetta, diced (leftover cooked bacon works well too)
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- Oil for frying
- 2 large red onions, peeled and cut into rings
- 1kg potatoes, peeled and cut into thin slices
- 150ml double cream
- 150ml stock (chicken works well)
- Grated cheese for topping (cheddar, gruyère or parmesan all work)
- Butter, for greasing the dish
Method
- Heat the oven to 200°C.
- Add a little oil to a pan and fry the bacon or pancetta until crispy.
- Butter a large ovenproof dish. Add a single layer of sliced potatoes, followed by a layer of onion rings, then scatter over some of the bacon.
- Continue layering until all the ingredients are used up, finishing with a layer of potatoes on top.
- Pour over the stock and the cream.
- Cover with tin foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Remove the foil, add the grated cheese, and bake for a further 30 minutes, uncovered.
- Check the potatoes are tender all the way through, then serve with a green salad.
Simple, filling and full of flavour — this is a great one to add to your family’s regular dinner rotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this potato and bacon bake ahead of time?
Yes — you can layer the dish up to a day in advance, cover and keep it in the fridge, then bring it to room temperature before baking as normal.
Can I use a different type of potato?
Any all-purpose or floury potato works well here, as long as it’s sliced thinly so it cooks evenly in the time given.
What can I serve with it?
A simple green salad is the classic pairing, as it cuts through the richness of the cream and cheese. Steamed green vegetables also work well.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Baked potato dishes with cream can change texture after freezing, so this one is best enjoyed fresh or kept in the fridge for a day or two.
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- Simple Bacon Recipes Kids Will Actually Eat
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