The Best Cheesy Smashed Potatoes Recipe
These Best Cheesy Smashed Potatoes are a crispy, golden-baked side dish featuring tender boiled baby gold potatoes layered with parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, seasoned with a blend of savory spices. Perfectly smashed and baked to cheesy perfection, they offer a crunchy outside with a soft, flavorful inside. Serve with a refreshing Lazy Tzatziki dip for a delightful contrast.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling and Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Potatoes and Seasonings
- 1½ lbs baby gold potatoes
- Salt, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Onion powder, to taste
- Paprika, to taste
- Italian herb seasoning, to taste
Cheeses
- 2 oz shredded Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz shredded Mozzarella cheese
Optional Garnish
- Chives, chopped
- Chili pepper flakes
Dip
- Lazy Tzatziki (recipe or store-bought)
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425℉ (220℃) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set this aside for later.
- Boil the potatoes: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the baby gold potatoes and return the water to a boil. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Timing will vary depending on the size of the potatoes. Once done, promptly drain and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet to cool slightly.
- Prepare the potatoes for smashing: If you have larger potatoes, cut them in half. For smaller potatoes, score them in a crisscross pattern on top to help them smash evenly without falling apart.
- Assemble the smashed potatoes: Place about 1 tablespoon of shredded Parmesan cheese on the baking sheet, then position one potato on top of the cheese. Cut a small square of parchment or wax paper and cover the potato with it. Using the bottom of a glass, carefully press down to flatten the potato as much as possible without breaking it. Remove the parchment paper and repeat this process with the remaining potatoes.
- Season and top: Sprinkle each smashed potato evenly with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian herb seasoning to taste. Then, top each potato with a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is melted and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped chives and chili pepper flakes if desired. Serve warm with Lazy Tzatziki dip on the side.
Notes
- Choose baby gold potatoes for their creamy texture and ability to crisp nicely when smashed.
- Be careful while smashing the potatoes to avoid breaking them apart completely; the parchment paper helps prevent sticking and preserves their shape.
- Adjust the seasoning amounts to your taste preference; these spices complement the cheese well.
- If you don’t have Lazy Tzatziki, you can substitute with sour cream or a yogurt-based dip.
- For a crispier bottom, you can drizzle a little olive oil on the baking sheet before baking.
- These can be made ahead and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 200g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: cheesy smashed potatoes, crispy smashed potatoes, baked potatoes, easy side dish, parmesan mozzarella potatoes, potato recipe