If you’re craving a comforting side dish that bursts with flavor and a touch of smoky goodness, the Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon Recipe is the perfect answer. This dish combines tender green beans and golden potatoes with crispy bacon, all brought together by creamy ranch seasoning and melted cheddar cheese. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like home on your plate and will quickly become a favorite in your dinner rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, wholesome ingredients come together in this recipe, each playing a key role in delivering incredible texture and rich, hearty flavors that make this dish stand out.
- Green beans: Fresh and crisp, they add vibrant color and a satisfying snap to balance the softness of the potatoes.
- Potatoes: Peeled and cubed, they provide a hearty base that soaks up all the delicious seasonings.
- Bacon: Crispy and smoky, it lends a depth of flavor that makes this dish irresistible.
- Ranch seasoning mix: The star seasoning that delivers that familiar, tangy zest to every bite.
- Olive oil: Helps in cooking the potatoes evenly while contributing a subtle richness.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts over the top for creamy, cheesy goodness that pulls everything together.
- Milk: Adds the perfect amount of creaminess to enhance the flavor and texture.
- Garlic powder: Infuses a gentle, aromatic warmth.
- Black pepper: Provides mild heat that brightens the dish.
- Onion powder: Delivers a subtle sweetness that complements the ranch seasoning.
How to Make Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Fresh Ingredients
Start by giving your green beans a good wash, trimming off the ends to keep each bite tender and enjoyable. Peel the potatoes and chop them into bite-sized cubes so they’ll cook quickly and evenly, creating the perfect base for the dish.
Step 2: Crisp Up the Bacon
Place the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat and cook until crispy, turning occasionally to get that beautiful golden crunch. Once done, transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to soak up any excess grease, ensuring every bite stays delectably crisp.
Step 3: Cook the Potatoes in Bacon Grease and Olive Oil
Keep about one tablespoon of the bacon grease in your skillet, adding a splash of olive oil to help the potatoes brown beautifully. Sauté the potato cubes for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring every so often, until they’re tender on the inside and golden on the outside.
Step 4: Boil the Green Beans
While the potatoes are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the green beans and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. This quick blanch will keep them tender but with a satisfying crunch and a pop of vibrant green color.
Step 5: Combine and Season
Drain the green beans well and add them to the skillet with your golden potatoes. Sprinkle in the ranch seasoning mix, followed by garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir gently to ensure every piece is evenly coated in that irresistible ranch flavor.
Step 6: Add Milk and Bacon, Then Melt the Cheese
Pour in the milk to give the mixture a creamy touch, letting it simmer for a few minutes so the flavors harmonize beautifully. Crumble the crispy bacon over the top and stir it through. Finally, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese all over, cover the skillet, and let the cheese melt for 2 to 3 minutes, creating a luscious, cheesy finish.
Step 7: Final Stir and Serve
Once the cheese has melted into gooey perfection, remove the skillet from the heat and give everything one last gentle stir. Your Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon Recipe is ready to be savored!
How to Serve Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives adds a lively pop of color and fresh flavor that cuts through the richness. For an extra burst of texture, a handful of toasted breadcrumbs or chopped green onions makes a wonderful topping as well.
Side Dishes
This dish is versatile enough to stand on its own, but it pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, roasted pork, or a juicy steak. A crisp garden salad or simple coleslaw complements the creamy, smoky green bean and potato combo perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For family-style gatherings, serve this right in the skillet it’s cooked in, so everyone can scoop out their favorite portions. Alternatively, arrange it in a rustic wooden bowl or a cast-iron serving dish to highlight that comforting country charm.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days, making for easy reheated meals throughout the week.
Freezing
This dish can be frozen but is best reserved for fridge storage since potatoes and cheese can change texture after freezing. If you do freeze it, place the cooled dish in a freezer-safe container and use it within 1 to 2 months for the best flavor.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat to keep the potatoes from drying out. Cover the pan to help melt the cheese again and add a splash of milk if it feels too thick. Microwaving works too but stir halfway through heating to evenly warm the dish.
FAQs
Can I use fresh herbs instead of ranch seasoning?
Absolutely! Fresh herbs like dill, parsley, and chives can provide a lovely fresh twist, but the ranch seasoning adds a distinct tang and depth that’s hard to replicate. You might want to try a mix of both for a unique flavor.
What type of potatoes work best?
Yukon Gold or red potatoes are ideal since they hold their shape well and develop a nice golden crust when cooked. Avoid very starchy potatoes like russets as they can become too soft and mushy in this dish.
Is it possible to make this vegetarian?
Yes! Simply omit the bacon and replace the bacon grease with olive oil or butter. You can add smoked paprika or liquid smoke for that smoky flavor without the meat.
How can I make this dish spicier?
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce when seasoning, or toss in some sliced jalapeños with the green beans. Just be careful not to overpower the creamy ranch flavor.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe in advance?
You can prep the green beans and potatoes ahead of time by washing, trimming, and chopping them. Store them covered in the fridge and then cook everything fresh when you’re ready. Bacon is best cooked just before serving for maximum crispiness.
Final Thoughts
The Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon Recipe is pure comfort food magic in a skillet. It’s deliciously creamy, packed with bold flavors, and surprisingly easy to prepare. I encourage you to give it a try and watch it quickly become a beloved favorite at your table, perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings alike.
Print
Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 40m
- Total Time: 0h 55m
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes with Bacon recipe combines tender green beans, golden-brown potatoes, crispy bacon, and rich cheddar cheese with savory ranch seasoning for a comforting, flavorful side dish or meal. Cooked on the stovetop, it’s a delicious way to enjoy fresh vegetables paired with a creamy, cheesy sauce.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 pound green beans
- 1 pound potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 to 1.5 inch bite-sized cubes
Meat
- 6 slices bacon
Seasonings and Dairy
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Prepare Green Beans: Begin by washing the green beans thoroughly, trimming off the ends, and setting them aside.
- Prep Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized cubes, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches each.
- Cook Bacon: Place the bacon slices in a large skillet over medium heat, cooking until crispy. Turn occasionally to cook evenly.
- Drain Bacon: Remove the crispy bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.
- Reserve Bacon Grease: Keep about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet and discard the rest.
- Heat Oil: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease and heat over medium heat.
- Cook Potatoes: Add the diced potatoes to the skillet, cooking them for 10-12 minutes while stirring occasionally until golden brown and tender.
- Boil Green Beans: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender but still crisp.
- Drain Green Beans: Drain the green beans in a colander and set aside.
- Combine Vegetables: Add the drained green beans to the skillet with the cooked potatoes and gently stir to combine.
- Add Seasonings: Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper evenly over the potato and green bean mixture. Stir well to coat.
- Add Milk: Pour in the 1/4 cup of milk and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes to let flavors meld and create a creamy consistency.
- Add Bacon: Crumble the cooked bacon into small pieces and stir it into the skillet mixture.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the skillet mixture.
- Melt Cheese: Cover the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, give everything a final gentle stir, and serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor, trimming the ends before cooking.
- Cut potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Reserve some bacon grease for extra flavor when cooking potatoes.
- If you prefer less fat, reduce the amount of bacon or use turkey bacon.
- This dish reheats well and can be prepared ahead of time.
