Loaded mashed potatoes are a quick and easy weeknight side dish that’s made in the microwave for those nights when you need potatoes in ten minutes. No boiling required. Load them up with bacon and crispy onions for an extra flavor boost.

A bowl of loaded mashed potatoes with a small bowl of crispy onions.

Microwave Mashed Potatoes For When You’re Short on Time

Don’t have time for yukon gold mashed potatoes, (the best mashed potatoes ever) then loaded mashed potatoes in the microwave are going to be your best friend. A chunkier version of mashed potatoes with bacon and all the fixins.

New potatoes are microwaved with the skins on and then mashed with butter and sour cream. When you add bacon and crispy onions, it tastes just like a loaded baked potato, creamier than potato skins and chunkier then mashed potatoes. The best of both worlds.

While this recipe for loaded mashed potatoes is awesome by itself, the best part might be the crispy French’s fried onions that you’ll add to the the top right before serving. I’m not sure how they make these, but they are kind of magical.

Microwave mashed potatoes will have some chunks in them if using a potato masher. If you want smooth potatoes, remove the skins once cooked by rubbing them off with a dish towel then run them through a potato ricer.

A spoon full of mashed potatoes with a bowl behind it.

Of course, if you have time, then there is nothing better than homemade crispy onions, but you’ll need to plan for about 30 minutes. Totally worth it and you can make them in advance. Whichever you choose, don’t leave them off, you’ll love the crispy combined with the creamy new potatoes.

Unlike my traditional mashed potato recipe that uses Yukon gold potatoes, or twice baked potato casserole that uses russet potatoes, this potato side dish uses new potatoes or red potatoes due to their thin skins and sweetness. They will cook quickly in the microwave which is what you need for a weeknight dinner, or last minute side dish.

Or maybe you just don’t have room in the oven for another side dish. These are a great option for Thanksgiving dinner.

Why You’ll Want to Make Them

You don’t have to peel the potatoes
You don’t have to boil water, cook the potatoes in the microwave instead
They have bacon mixed in along with butter and sour cream
You can make them start to finish in 15 minutes
They taste AWESOME

A Short Ingredient List

Ingredients for loaded potatoes in the microwave.

New potatoes – medium sized red new potatoes work best.
Bacon – crisp this up in a skillet in advance. I love the flavor that pepper bacon adds.
Green onions – add a great flavor.
Butter and sour cream – this gives them that creaminess you want in mashed potatoes.
French’s Fried onions – for the perfect crispy topping. You could also add some cheddar cheese.

How do you make this incredibly QUICK and EASY loaded mashed potato recipe

Step 1: Cook the bacon

A skillet of cooked bacon. — Cook the bacon until crispy.

Step 2: Cook the potatoes

A glass bowl of cooked new potatoes with butter and a potato masher. — Microwave potatoes and mash.

Step 3: Make them creamy

A bowl of mashed potatoes with bacon, sour cream and green onions on top. — Add butter, sour cream, green onions and bacon

Step 4: Top them off

Top with French’s fried onions right before serving.

A serving spoon in a bowl of microwaved mashed potatoes.

You can store this in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days. This doesn’t do well when frozen. It gets watery and separates.

To re-heat it, cover with plastic wrap and microwave, stirring occasionally until it is heated through.

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.