1-First, preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. This step ensures even cooking and prevents sticking, making your baked potato casserole turn out perfectly. Wash, peel, and dice the potatoes into larger chunks for the best texture.

2-Next, boil the diced potatoes until they’re tender, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Once done, drain them and return to the pot to keep things simple. Gently fold in the unsalted butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and milk, taking care not to mash the potatoes for that ideal bite.

3-After mixing, add the garlic powder, salt, pepper, 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of the bacon. Stir everything gently to blend the flavors without overworking the mix. Transfer the mixture to your greased casserole dish and top it with the remaining cheese and bacon for those crispy toppings.

4-Bake the casserole for 25 to 30 minutes until it’s bubbly and golden on top.

5-Once baked, garnish with the diced green onions for a fresh finish.