Cowboy potatoes can be a great side dish or a whole meal with some mix-ins and additions.
Plus, each family member can build cowboy potatoes if you set up a topping bar with all their favorite fixings.
You can add breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner to your list of delicious potato side dishes!
Cowboy potatoes can be as simple as being seasoned to mixing in meats or topping with cheddar. There is no right or wrong, so adapt away.
Just by adding a few simple ingredients, with a variety of seasonings, like our own homemade seasoning sal,t these will be the best Cowboy Potatoes ever.
If you're a big potato fan don't miss trying my Salt and Vinegar Potato Recipes or my German Style Potato Salad Recipe, both family favorites!
Scroll down to the recipe card to print this delicious how-to to make the best Cowboy Potatoes you've ever tasted!
Why You Will Love Cowboy Potatoes
- Hearty and Comforting - Loaded with tender potatoes, melted cheese, crispy bacon, and savory seasonings, this dish is pure comfort food in every bite.
- Perfect for Any Occasion- Great as a side dish for BBQs, potlucks, holidays, or even breakfast alongside eggs.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor - The combination of smoky, cheesy, and buttery flavors makes this a guaranteed family favorite.
- Easy to Make - Simple ingredients and minimal prep make this recipe beginner-friendly.
- Customizable - Add sausage, jalapeños, onions, or even swap cheeses to make it your own. One-Pan Wonder - Easy cleanup and simple baking make this a stress-free recipe.
Making the Best Cowboy Potato Tips
- Use Yukon Gold or Red Potatoes – They hold their shape well and stay creamy inside.
- Cut Potatoes Evenly – Uniform pieces ensure everything cooks at the same time.
- Parboil for Extra Tender Potatoes- Boil the potatoes for 5-7 minutes before baking to speed up cooking and guarantee a soft center.
- Cook Bacon Separately First if Using -This keeps it crispy instead of soggy during baking.
- Season in Layers- Toss the potatoes with seasoning first, then add more seasoning before baking for deeper flavor.
- Don’t Skimp on Cheese - Add some inside the mixture and extra on top for that golden, bubbly finish.
- Cover, Then Uncover -Bake covered first to steam and soften the potatoes, then uncover to crisp the top.
- Let It Rest - Allow 5-10 minutes after baking so everything sets and flavors meld together.
Optional Mix-in for Setting Up a Serving Bar
- sliced cooked hot Italian sausage
- sliced pepperoni or cubed
- crumbled cooked bacon
- sausage links
- pepperoni
- mushrooms
- deli meats like black forest ham
- shredded carrots or another vegetable you prefer
- hot peppers
- onions sliced
- eggs beaten
- shredded provolone
- shredded mozzarella
- sliced eggplant
- diced tomatoes
- shredded or wedges of zucchini
- garnish with shredded cheddar cheese
- feta cheese
- sliced olives any kind
- taco meat
- cooked seasoned ground beef
Pin for later
Stretching Your Food Budget: Making Cowboy Potatoes
This is a very economical way to feed a large family on a budget, and potatoes make the best side dish for any meal.
Keep them plain or covered in cheesy goodness, or topped with a pile of shredded beef or bacon and you'll have a whole meal.
Adding some of the leftovers during the week, like hot dogs, boneless chicken, or pork chops off the bone, were just a few additional ideas to make a simple side dish of potatoes in a whole dinner.
Yield: 6
Cowboy Potatoes
A delicious way to serve potatoes cubed fried or baked with mix-ins or toppings. These flavorful potatoes are called Cowboy Potatoes. Perfect side dish for any meal of the day!
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 35 MinTotal time: 45 Min
Ingredients
- 5 to 6 Yukon gold or Red potatoes, cubed (you can also substitute tater tots or hash browns)
- 2 small diced onions
- 1 stick of butter, cut into cubes or slices
- salt to taste pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 diced bell pepper
- Garnish: shredded real sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a baking sheet or add parchment paper.
- Note: To speed up the cooking process, parboil for 7 minutes before continuing to bake.
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl, stir, and spread on a baking sheet. Bake until crispy covered for the first 30 minutes, then uncover and finish baking until crispy. Sprinkle with cheese 10 minutes before completing cooking.
- In a deep frying pan, add the butter and melt it.
- Place the potatoes in the hot butter with all the ingredients, including peppers, garlic, and onions, then continue to stir to blend in all the seasonings.
- Let them saute until golden brown and crispy, around 35 minutes, and add cheese on top until melted.
- Note: If adding the peppers and onion with fresh garlic, do this 4 to 4 minutes before the potatoes are done so as not to burn the vegetables.
- Remove and top with cheese, let the cheese sit on top of the potatoes for a few minutes to melt (or if you like the cheese crisp,y place it under a broiler for 2 minutes).
- Air fryer: Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees. Add the ingredients to an air fryer pan. Air fry 20 minutes or until crispy. Add the cheese 2 minutes before completing air frying.
- See notes for a variety of toppings or serve them just the way they are!
Notes
Optional Mix-in for Setting Up a Serving Bar
- sliced cooked hot Italian sausage
- sliced pepperoni or cubed
- crumbled cooked bacon
- sausage links
- taco meat
- cooked seasoned ground beef
- pepperoni
- mushrooms
- deli meats like black forest ham
- shredded carrots or another vegetable you prefer
- hot peppers
- onions sliced
- eggs beaten
- shredded provolone
- shredded mozzarella
- sliced eggplant
- diced tomatoes
- shredded or wedges of zucchini
- Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese
- feta cheese
- sliced olives, any kind
Nutrition Facts
Calories
327.02Fat (grams)
17.28 gSat. Fat (grams)
10.71 gCarbs (grams)
39.33 gFiber (grams)
3.53 gNet carbs
35.81 gSugar (grams)
3.09 gProtein (grams)
6.09 gSodium (milligrams)
200.9 mgCholesterol (grams)
45.49 mgThe default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.
These are all copyright-protected images and content. Do not reprint/reuse this recipe or its images without my written permission.
Pin for later
More Recipes We Love
Italian Potato Salad
Best Potato Side Dish Recipes
Baked Parmesan Wedge Potatoes
