Cheesy Onion Mashed Potato Casserole (Printable)

Creamy mashed potatoes with caramelized onions and melted cheese, baked golden and bubbly.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Potatoes

01 - 2 lbs russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed

→ Dairy

02 - 1 cup whole milk
03 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
04 - 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
05 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - ½ cup sour cream

→ Vegetables

07 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
08 - 2 tbsp olive oil
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives (optional, for garnish)

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
12 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter.
02 - Place potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until fork-tender, about 15–18 minutes. Drain well.
03 - While the potatoes cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized, about 15–20 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
04 - Mash the drained potatoes with butter, warm milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
05 - Stir in half of the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, then fold in the caramelized onions. Reserve a few tablespoons of onions for topping if desired.
06 - Spread the mashed potato mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheeses and reserved onions.
07 - Bake for 25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly with lightly golden spots on top.
08 - Garnish with fresh chives if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The caramelized onions turn something ordinary into a dish people will actually beg you to bring again.
  • It reheats beautifully, so making a double batch is never a mistake.
  • Sharp cheddar and mozzarella together create this stretchy, golden crown that nobody can resist picking at.
02 -
  • Adding cold milk to hot potatoes shocks them and creates a gluey, unpleasant texture, so always warm the milk first.
  • The casserole can be fully assembled and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking, which makes it a lifesaver for holiday planning.
03 -
  • Dry the boiled potatoes in the hot pot for one minute after draining to evaporate excess moisture before mashing.
  • Grating the cheese while the onions caramelize keeps your timing tight and the kitchen efficient.