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Meat, Classics and bistro fare

Potato and bacon casserole with green salad

This potato and bacon casserole is a stovetop dish for 4 people, ready in 1 hour, rated easy, for about €2.20 per person. The key is letting the onions soften fully with the bacon before adding the potatoes, so the flavor spreads through the whole pot. Served with a simple green salad, it makes a complete, comforting meal.

A pot of fondant potatoes with smoky bacon and onions, a grandmother's dish that practically cooks itself.

Potato and bacon casserole with green salad
Total time
1 h
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.20
Calories per person
540 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

This is the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with a good smell from the first few minutes. The bacon browns, the onions soften slowly, then the potatoes soak up that flavor as they simmer. The result is tender, lightly smoky, never heavy, with just enough broth to coat every bite.

It's a weeknight dish that needs almost no attention once the pot is on the stove, perfect for fall or winter evenings when you get home late and want something warm without much effort. Kids usually love it without any fuss, and the green salad on the side brings the freshness that balances the dish.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 1.2 kg
  • Onion 3
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Thyme 3 sprigs
  • Green salad 1

Butcher

  • Sliced smoked bacon 250 g

Pantry

  • Chicken stock cubeoften in the pantry 1
  • Vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the smoked bacon into strips and brown it in the pot without any added fat. 6 min

    The bacon releases enough fat on its own, don't add oil.

  2. Add the sliced onions and garlic and let them soften over medium heat without browning too much. 8 min

    A lid set slightly ajar keeps them from drying out.

  3. Peel the potatoes, cut them into large chunks and add them with the thyme, pepper, and a glass of water with the diluted stock.

    Choose a waxy potato like fingerling, it won't fall apart.

  4. Cover and simmer over low heat until the potatoes are tender. 40 min

    Stir gently only once or twice so the potatoes stay whole.

  5. Make the salad dressing with the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and serve it alongside the casserole.

    A touch of mustard in the dressing makes a nice contrast with the bacon.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cut the potatoes into even pieces so they all cook at the same rate, otherwise some will fall apart before the others are done.
  • Taste the broth before serving, the diluted stock cube and the bacon already add a lot of salt, so you might not need to add more.
  • If the broth looks too thin at the end of cooking, remove the lid for the last ten minutes so it reduces slightly.

The variations

  • Swap the bacon slices for plain or unsmoked lardons for a milder flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon, soften the onions in a little olive oil, and use vegetable stock, adding mushrooms for texture if you like.
  • For a quicker version for kids, cut the potatoes smaller, they'll cook in about 25 minutes instead of 40.

What to serve it with

  • A well dressed green salad
  • Crusty bread for dipping
  • A glass of light red wine

Storage

The casserole keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well, without the salad, for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to bring back its softness.

Questions about this dish

Which potatoes work best for this casserole?

Use a waxy variety like fingerling or Yukon Gold. They hold their shape through the long simmer instead of turning mushy in the broth.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, it's actually better reheated the next day since the flavors have time to blend. Just make the salad right before serving so it stays crisp.

Can you use regular lardons instead of bacon slices?

Yes, smoked or plain lardons work well in place of bacon slices. The flavor will be a bit less smoky if you choose plain ones.

Is this dish good for kids?

Yes, it's a mild, familiar dish that kids generally enjoy. You can cut the potatoes smaller so they become even softer.

How long does it take to make a potato and bacon casserole with green salad?

Count 1 h in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a potato and bacon casserole with green salad?

About 540 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a potato and bacon casserole with green salad cost?

About €2.20 per serving, or €8.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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