Crispy Broiled Crushed Potatoes with Cheesy Toppings
Discover the delightful blend of textures and flavors in these Crispy Broiled Crushed Potatoes! This dish features tender, herbed new potatoes that are smashed to perfection, then topped with crispy bacon, sautéed bell peppers, fresh green onions, and a generous layering of gooey sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Perfect as a side dish for your favorite main course, they're guaranteed to impress at potlucks and family dinners alike. Easy to prepare and oh-so-tasty, these crushed potatoes are a must-try for any potato lover!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
4 slices (Chopped)
New potatoes
12-16 (Unpeeled, golf-ball size)
Green bell pepper
1 cup (Chopped)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (For sautéing and drizzling)
Garlic
3 cloves (Minced)
Salt
To taste
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons (To taste)
Green onion
3/4 cup (Chopped)
Sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (Grated)
Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup (Grated)
Instructions
1
Start by rinsing the new potatoes under cold water to remove any dirt. In a large pot, cover the potatoes with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender.
2
While the potatoes cook, place a large frying pan over medium heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook until crispy, then remove the bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.
3
Add the chopped green bell pepper to the pan with the bacon grease. If needed, drizzle a small amount of olive oil for extra flavor and sauté until tender, typically for about 3-4 minutes. Next, add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
4
Preheat your oven broiler on the low setting. Lightly grease a jelly roll pan or a baking sheet with vegetable oil. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and arrange them on the prepared pan in a single layer.
5
Using the bottom of a coffee cup sprayed with vegetable oil, gently crush each potato until flattened, resembling small discs. Aim for a rugged appearance, avoiding complete mashing.
6
Drizzle the flattened potatoes generously with olive oil, then season them with salt, black pepper, and cumin to taste. Feel free to adjust the seasonings according to your personal preferences.
7
Top the potatoes with the sautéed bell peppers, crispy bacon bits, and chopped green onions. Evenly sprinkle the grated sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over everything, making sure to cover the potatoes adequately.
8
Place the pan under the broiler at a low setting, keeping an eye on it to prevent burning. The dish will take only a few minutes to heat up and melt the cheese, aiming for a bubbly and lightly browned finish.
9
Once your cheesy potatoes are hot and gooey, carefully remove the pan from the broiler and serve immediately for maximum deliciousness!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Broiled Crushed Potatoes?
These are tender, herbed new potatoes that are smashed, seasoned, and topped with bacon, peppers, onions, and melted cheese before being broiled.
What type of potatoes are best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using golf-ball sized new potatoes for the best results.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
No, the new potatoes should be left unpeeled for this dish.
How should I clean the potatoes before cooking?
Rinse the new potatoes under cold water to remove any dirt before boiling them.
How long do the potatoes need to boil?
Boil the potatoes in lightly salted water for about 15 to 20 minutes until they are fork-tender.
How do I prepare the bacon?
Chop 4 slices of bacon and fry them in a large pan until crispy, then remove the bits and set them aside.
Should I discard the bacon grease?
No, keep the bacon grease in the pan to sauté the bell peppers and garlic for extra flavor.
What kind of bell pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped green bell pepper.
How long should I sauté the green bell peppers?
Sauté the peppers in the bacon grease for approximately 3-4 minutes until they are tender.
When do I add the garlic?
Add the minced garlic to the pan after the peppers are tender and sauté for one additional minute until fragrant.
What is the best way to crush the potatoes?
Use the bottom of a coffee cup sprayed with vegetable oil to gently flatten each potato into a disc.
Why should I spray the cup with vegetable oil?
Spraying the cup prevents it from sticking to the potatoes as you crush them.
What seasonings are used for the crushed potatoes?
Drizzle them with olive oil and season with salt, black pepper, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of cumin.
What types of cheese are used for the topping?
The recipe uses a combination of 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar and 1/2 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese.
What other toppings are added before broiling?
In addition to cheese, top the potatoes with the sautéed bell peppers, crispy bacon bits, and chopped green onions.
What oven setting should I use?
Preheat your oven broiler on the low setting to melt the cheese and finish the dish.
How do I prepare the baking sheet?
Lightly grease a jelly roll pan or baking sheet with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
How long does it take to broil the potatoes?
It only takes a few minutes under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
How can I prevent the potatoes from burning under the broiler?
Keep a close eye on the pan and use the low broiler setting to avoid burning the toppings.
Is this recipe suitable for a side dish?
Yes, these potatoes are perfect as a side dish for your favorite main course or for potlucks and family dinners.
Can I adjust the spices?
Yes, feel free to adjust the salt, pepper, and cumin levels according to your personal preferences.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe uses 12-16 small potatoes, making it suitable for several side-dish servings.
Should I serve these potatoes hot?
Yes, they should be served immediately once removed from the broiler for maximum deliciousness.
Can I use olive oil instead of bacon grease?
Yes, if you need extra oil or want to omit the bacon, you can use olive oil to sauté the vegetables.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The dish features a blend of tender potato centers with crispy edges and gooey melted cheese.
Can I use different varieties of cheese?
While sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack are recommended, you can experiment with other melting cheeses.
How much green onion is needed?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of chopped green onions.
What does the cumin add to the recipe?
Cumin provides a warm, earthy flavor that complements the bacon and cheese.
Are these potatoes mashed completely?
No, they should be crushed into rugged discs rather than completely mashed into a smooth consistency.
Can I use red bell peppers instead of green?
Yes, you can substitute other colors of bell peppers if you prefer a different flavor profile or color.