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Loaded Bacon & Roasted Garlic Potatoes

Loaded Bacon & Roasted Garlic Potatoes

Loaded Bacon & Roasted Garlic Potatoes combine crispy, smoky bacon bits with tender roasted potatoes infused with sweet, aromatic garlic. This comforting dish features a perfect balance of textures and bold flavors, making it an ideal side or hearty snack for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes and Garlic

  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold or red potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 68 whole garlic cloves, peeled

Bacon

  • 68 slices thick-cut bacon

Seasonings and Oils

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon reserved bacon fat (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 teaspoons fresh herbs (rosemary or thyme), chopped

Optional Toppings & Variations

  • ½ cup shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes (optional)
  • Chopped green onions or chives (optional)
  • Fresh lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Peel and cut the potatoes into bite-sized chunks to ensure even cooking. Peel garlic cloves but keep them whole for roasting.
  2. Cook Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside on paper towels to drain excess fat. Reserve some bacon fat if desired to add extra smoky flavor to the potatoes.
  3. Toss Potatoes and Garlic: In a large bowl, combine the potato chunks and whole garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. Drizzle reserved bacon fat over the potatoes if you saved some. Toss everything together to coat evenly.
  4. Roast Until Golden: Spread the potato mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, turning the potatoes halfway through, until they are crispy and golden brown on the outside and tender inside.
  5. Combine and Serve: After roasting, toss the potatoes with the crispy bacon bits. Serve immediately while warm, garnished with additional fresh herbs or your choice of optional toppings.

Notes

  • Choose Yukon Gold potatoes for the best texture and roasting results.
  • Do not overcrowd the baking sheet to prevent steaming and ensure crispiness.
  • Use whole garlic cloves to mellow and sweeten the garlic flavor during roasting.
  • Reserving and using bacon fat enhances the smoky richness of the dish.
  • Turn potatoes halfway through baking for an even golden crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: bacon, roasted potatoes, garlic, comfort food, appetizer, side dish, crispy potatoes