Have you ever had a meal at a restaurant, someone’s house, or even a frozen dinner that you wanted to try to make yourself? I’ve long thought I could recreate the Stouffer’s Cheddar and Bacon Potato Bake at home without having to buy it. After reading the ingredients on the box, I decided that there was nothing extraordinary in the Stouffer’s recipe, just normal stuff that I always have in stock around my house. Of course, I cooked mine in a slow cooker, but it could be cooked in the oven as well. Make a whole slow cooker full for about the price of a serving for two. Stouffer’s can freeze theirs, so why can’t I? Make a huge batch and freeze it up in containers the perfect size for your family. Prep once and feed forever! 😉
Prep time:
Total time:
- 5-6 medium size potatoes (about 4-5 cups)
- 1 can of Progresso Recipe Starters (Cheese)
- Kraft First Taste Cheddar Jack & Bacon
- 2 - 3 slices of bacon
- Seasoned Salt (optional)
- Garlic Powder or Salt (optional)
- Peel, wash, and cube the potatoes. Large cubes will take longer to cook, small cubes will cook faster. Add potatoes to slow cooker.
- Add Progresso Recipe Starters Cheese to the slow cooker.
- Season to taste.
- Chop the bacon, fry. Add the bacon to the potatoes. Add bacon grease, if desired. Discard grease otherwise.
- Mix all ingredients together.
- Cook covered in slow cooker about 2.5 hours on high.
- Add cheese from the First Taste pack. Cooked another 30-45 minutes.
- Top with the bacon breadcrumb mixture.
I would love it if you could update this cheddar and bacon potato bake recipe (like Stouffer’s) to use products that have not been discontinued. I would really like to try this!
Thank you!
Without making it myself, but studying the label of the original can (found online), I suggest the following: 1/2 jar of Bertolli (my favorite), 1/2 package of Cream Cheese, 1 can of Campbells Cheddar Cheese Soup (add milk for desired consistency after combining other ingredients.)
For the Kraft Cheddar Jack & Bacon package try: About 1/2 to 3/4 cup panko crumbs, breadcrumbs, or cornflake crumbs (I use cornflake for lower wheat content), 1 cup shredded Colby Jack, 2 Tbsp. REAL Bacon Bits, and 1/4 tsp smoked paprika. I can get by without the paprika. Of course, since you’re making your own, you can use as much or as little as you like. I would use a lot more bacon because I love bacon and would probably skip the crumb topping. 😉
I hope these exchanges help. Please let me know if you try it out and let me know what you think. 😀
Thank so much! Can’t wait to try it!
Ok, I’m back. Getting closer to making this. (It’s only been 7 months!) Could you please clarify your first paragraph? I’m pretty sure this is your recipe to replace the Progresso Recipe Starters (Cheese), but I’m not sure which Bertoli sauce you’re referring to. By color, I’d assume the Four Cheese Rosa, but since it has tomatoes in it (and I’m allergic to tomatoes), I want to make sure.
Thanks again!
I would go with whatever yellow cheese sauce you want, minus tomatoes. 😉
Without making it myself, but studying the label of the original can (found online), I suggest the following: 1/2 jar of Bertolli (my favorite), 1/2 package of Cream Cheese, 1 can of Campbells Cheddar Cheese Soup (add milk for desired consistency after combining other ingredients.)
For the Kraft Cheddar Jack & Bacon package try: About 1/2 to 3/4 cup panko crumbs, breadcrumbs, or cornflake crumbs (I use cornflake for lower wheat content), 1 cup shredded Colby Jack, 2 Tbsp. REAL Bacon Bits, and 1/4 tsp smoked paprika. I can get by without the paprika. Of course, since you’re making your own, you can use as much or as little as you like. I would use a lot more bacon because I love bacon and would probably skip the crumb topping.