Next Time You Make Mashed Potatoes, Take Inspo From Outback Steakhouse For A Huge Flavor Boost

Cooking at home can help cut down on costs, but this doesn't mean you have to sacrifice restaurant-quality flavor. Taking inspiration from your favorite eateries will help homemade meals feel luxurious without breaking the bank. The next time you make mashed potatoes, consider styling them after an underrated Outback Steakhouse menu item: Loaded Mashed Potatoes. All you need to give your basic batch of spuds a flavor boost inspired by the Aussie-themed chain is a topping of sour cream, bacon, green onions, and a blend of shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses.

Outback Steakhouse's loaded mashed potatoes is a side dish filled with a decadent taste and pleasing texture that's easy to replicate on your own at home. This mix of ingredients will seriously upgrade your mashed potatoes, whether added as a finishing touch or folded in for an even bigger punch of flavor. It's as simple as starting with your favorite recipe for mashed potatoes and combining them with the Outback toppings.

This mashed potato offering is typically available as a premium accompaniment to steaks, seafood, and sandwiches on the Outback Steakhouse menu. You can always get creative with your choice of specific ingredients. It can be as simple as swapping out your onions, using a seasoned sour cream, or changing up your cheeses. Letting the flavors lead the way can also open up possibilities for even more complementary entrees.

Using the Outback Steakhouse loaded mashed potatoes as a jumping-off point, there are other variations of these toppings to elevate your homemade spuds. For example, instead of basic chopped chives, try grilling spring onions on a gas or charcoal grill for a smoky flavor boost. Adding chopped shallots or sweet onions would be another way to give your mashed potatoes a more unique taste and texture.

Though the loaded mashed potatoes at Outback Steakhouse feature a duo of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, you can bring the heat by swapping in Pepper Jack cheese, or try a smoked cheddar cheese in place of the standard cheddar for more complexity. Seasoning the sour cream with white pepper or savory herbs will also enhance the flavor of the dish.

There's a lot you can swap in as an alternative to the bacon in your mashed potatoes as well. Use cooked pieces of beef, like burnt ends, instead of bacon if your diet doesn't include pork, or go for a plant-based bacon to make your mashed potatoes accessible to vegetarian diets. If you're happy to stick with pork, grab a slab of black pepper-crusted bacon for an upgrade to the consistency and flavor of your mashed potatoes. Serve these loaded potatoes alongside your favorite cut of steak for an Outback Steakhouse-style meal, or pair them with a homestyle meatloaf for the ultimate comfort food meal. There's no limit to the ways you can enjoy a batch of loaded mashed potatoes with the right ingredients and a little culinary creativity.