The Zesty Cheesy Potato Salad Recipe Everyone Will Love

Potato salads take a delightful turn with this creamy cheesy potato salad recipe that elevates a classic summer side dish.

Crisp potatoes blend perfectly with rich, melted cheese and tangy seasonings.

Each forkful promises a burst of flavor that will make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Creamy mayo and sharp cheddar create a luxurious backdrop for tender, diced potatoes.

Chopped green onions and a sprinkle of herbs add freshness and depth to every bite.

This crowd-pleasing dish comes together quickly and delivers maximum satisfaction.

Serve it at your next barbecue or potluck, and watch as everyone asks for seconds.

Serving Cheesy Potato Salad with Style

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange the potato salad in a beautiful ceramic dish, garnish with extra green onions and crispy bacon bits for a stunning potluck centerpiece.
• Picnic Power Pairing: Pack this salad alongside grilled chicken, barbecue ribs, or cold sandwiches for a delightful outdoor meal that will impress family and friends.
• Gourmet Side Dish Upgrade: Serve alongside juicy steak, roasted vegetables, or grilled fish to elevate your main course with a creamy, cheesy potato accompaniment that adds rich flavor to the plate.
• Leftover Magic Transformation: Use remaining potato salad as a topping for baked potatoes, stuff into sandwich wraps, or mix into scrambled eggs for a delicious next-day meal remix.

Potato Salad Storage Know-How

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and preserve flavor.
• Warm individual portions on medium power for 30-45 seconds, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of milk if the salad seems dry.
• Enjoy directly from the refrigerator within 24-48 hours for best taste and texture. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to take off the chill.
• Avoid freezing this potato salad, as mayonnaise and sour cream break down during thawing, causing separation and compromising the creamy texture.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of cheese?

You can substitute cheddar with other melting cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack for a different flavor profile.

• Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Remove the bacon to make it vegetarian-friendly. The cheese and other ingredients will still provide great taste and texture.

• How can I make this potato salad healthier?

Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, reduce mayonnaise quantity, and add more green onions for extra nutrition and flavor.

• Can I prepare this potato salad in advance?

Yes, you can make this dish a day ahead. The flavors actually develop and improve when chilled overnight, making it perfect for meal prep or gatherings.

Why Cheesy Potato Salad Always Wins

• Quicken Meal Prep: This potato salad recipe saves precious kitchen minutes with simple ingredients and minimal chopping, perfect for busy home cooks wanting delicious results without complex techniques.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows swapping ingredients like bacon for vegetarian options or adjusting cheese types, making it adaptable to different dietary preferences and taste buds.
• Family-Friendly Crowd Pleaser: Creamy texture and classic flavor profile appeal to both kids and adults, transforming a standard side dish into a memorable comfort food everyone will enjoy.
• Versatile Serving Options: Works brilliantly as a picnic staple, potluck contribution, barbecue companion, or casual weeknight dinner side, ensuring you'll never run out of delicious ways to serve this crowd-winning dish.

Cheesy Potato Salad Essentials

• Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that form the hearty foundation of this salad.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that helps bind the salad together and adds rich flavor.
• Sour Cream: Provides tangy richness and smooth texture to the dressing.

• Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp, zesty kick to the salad dressing.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and creamy cheese that adds extra richness and flavor.
• Green Onions, Bacon: Fresh onion flavor and crispy bacon add depth and texture to the salad.

Mixing Up Cheesy Potato Salad

Step 1: Boil Potatoes To Perfection

Grab your potatoes and slice them into bite-sized cubes.

Toss them into a pot of water seasoned with a generous pinch of salt.

Let them dance in the bubbling water until they’re fork-tender, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes.

Once they’re soft, carefully drain the water and let the potatoes cool down completely.

Step 2: Create A Luscious Creamy Base

• Creamy mayonnaise
• Rich sour cream
• Zesty Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk these ingredients until they form a smooth, tangy dressing that’ll make your taste buds tingle.

Step 3: Combine Potato Party

Add the cooled potato cubes into the creamy mixture.

• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Crispy chopped bacon
• Fresh green onions

Gently fold everything together, ensuring each potato gets a luxurious coating of the dreamy dressing.

Step 4: Chill And Let Flavors Mingle

Cover the bowl and slide it into the refrigerator.

Let the salad rest and let all those incredible flavors get to know each other for at least an hour.

When you’re ready to serve, give it a quick stir and enjoy your spectacular cheesy potato salad!

Tips for Extra Creamy Potato Salad

• Test potato tenderness with a fork, ensuring they're soft but not mushy to maintain ideal texture and prevent a soggy salad.
• Use freshly grated cheddar for maximum flavor and smoother melting compared to pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents.
• Cook bacon until extra crispy and drain on paper towels to prevent sogginess and ensure a satisfying crunch in the salad.
• Let potatoes cool completely before mixing with dressing to prevent separation and maintain creamy consistency.
• Prepare the salad a day in advance to allow flavors to meld, making it even more delicious when served.

Potato Salad Variations to Try

• Vegan Potato Delight: Replace mayonnaise with vegan mayo, swap cheese with nutritional yeast, use plant-based bacon bits or omit, and add chopped herbs like dill for extra flavor.
• Greek-Style Potato Salad: Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt, use feta cheese instead of cheddar, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle with fresh oregano for a Mediterranean touch.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Replace potatoes with roasted cauliflower florets, keep the same dressing, and add extra crispy bacon for texture and flavor.
• Spicy Jalapeño Version: Mix in diced jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar, and add a dash of hot sauce to the dressing for a fiery kick.

Cheesy Potato Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy, zesty cheesy potato salad delivers a delightful twist on classic picnic fare. Packed with tangy cheese, crisp herbs, and rich mayo, this crowd-pleasing side dish will have you craving seconds at your next summer gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes and Cheese:

• 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Garnish and Seasoning:

• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Submerge diced potatoes in generously salted water, simmering for 10-15 minutes until fork-tender. Carefully drain and allow to reach room temperature.
2. Whisk together creamy mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, zesty Dijon mustard, and season with salt and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel.
3. Fold the cooled potato cubes into the velvety dressing, ensuring gentle incorporation to maintain potato integrity.
4. Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese fragments throughout the salad, distributing evenly for consistent flavor profile.
5. Scatter finely chopped green onions and crisp bacon pieces across the mixture, gently folding to distribute ingredients uniformly.
6. Refrigerate the potato salad for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and develop a harmonious taste sensation.
7. Before serving, give the salad a delicate stir to refresh the coating and redistribute the ingredients for maximum gustatory enjoyment.

Notes

• Opt for waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for a creamier, firmer texture that holds up better in the salad.
• Cook potatoes just until tender to prevent them from becoming mushy and falling apart when mixed with dressing.
• Crisp the bacon separately and add it just before serving to maintain its crunch and prevent sogginess.
• For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for some of the mayonnaise and use turkey bacon or omit bacon entirely for a vegetarian option.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 328 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg