Southern Love in Your Tummy: Dilly-Dally Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Twice baked potatoes are yummy but can be such a pain – scraping out the inside of the potato then stuffing it back in later.  This casserole version is so yummy you'll be dilly-dallying as you eat it to savor each bite!   Now, there are a few ingredients you may question – like the cottage cheese – but never fear – even cottage cheese haters love this casserole!  It has been a hit at every party I have served it at, and I always get asked for the recipe!  Try it and I am sure you'll love it!  Remember, I am not a big measuring cook so play around with the amounts until it tastes the way you want.

Dilly-Dally Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

10 small-medium potatoes, baked

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup mustard

2 cups small curd cottage cheese

2-4 tablespoons Pampered Chef Dill Mix*

seasoning salt and pepper to taste

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, mash potatoes insuring there are no large pieces of skin.  Mix in mayonnaise, mustard, cottage cheese, Dill Mix, seasoning salt and pepper.  The filling should be moist and flavorful, so if it seems dry, add more of the wet ingredients: mayonnaise, mustard, or cottage cheese.  Layer half the potato mixture in a 9x13 glass casserole dish.  Sprinkle 1/3 of the shredded cheese.  Spread the remaining filling and top with the rest of the shredded cheese.  Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.   OPTIONAL: mix in and top with bacon bits as pictured above. 

I have served this at countless barbeques as real twice-baked potatoes, but the casserole version is so much simpler.  It is always a hit.  We have served it with hamburgers and hot dogs, BBQ chicken, shish kabobs . . . It is very versatile.  One bite and you'll agree you've just tasted a little "Southern Love in Your Tummy!" 

Ya'll come back for more great recipes in my series, Southern Love in Your Tummy.

*If you do not have a Pampered Chef Consultant and would like to buy the Dill Mix, go to pamperedchef.com to locate a consultant in your area.   This is not just regular dill, but a blend of seasonings, and it makes this and other recipes that call for dill so much better!  I love it!