Steakhouse Smothered Hasselback Potatoes

Steakhouse Smothered Hasselback Potatoes are the ultimate comfort-food side dish, featuring crispy golden roasted Hasselback potatoes loaded with smoky bacon, sweet sautéed bell peppers, caramelized onions, and bubbling sharp cheddar cheese. Every bite delivers the perfect combination of crunchy potato edges, rich melted cheese, savory bacon, and colorful roasted vegetables.

This crowd-pleasing recipe pairs beautifully with barbecue ribs, grilled steaks, burgers, smoked chicken, pork chops, or any backyard summer feast. Whether you're hosting a cookout, family dinner, holiday gathering, or simply craving a hearty side dish, these loaded Hasselback potatoes are guaranteed to become a new favorite. Rustic, comforting, and packed with flavor, this steakhouse-inspired potato recipe proves that sometimes the side dish steals the show.

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A Side Dish That Nearly Stole the Show

Some of the best recipes happen completely by accident.

While visiting friends recently, I spotted a few beautiful potatoes sitting on the counter and decided it was finally time to try making Hasselback potatoes. I'd seen them for years but had never actually made them myself. Using two chopsticks as guides, I carefully sliced each potato into thin layers without cutting all the way through, creating those beautiful fan-like folds that become so crispy and delicious in the oven.

After roasting until golden brown and brushing them with melted butter, I decided to take things one step further.

A pound of smoky bacon was cooked until crisp, then sweet onions and colorful bell peppers were sautéed in the bacon drippings until tender and fragrant. Sharp cheddar cheese, crispy potatoes, smoky bacon, sweet peppers, and caramelized onions all came together in one bubbling casserole-style masterpiece.

The result was one of those side dishes that had everyone reaching for seconds.

The potatoes stayed crispy around the edges while the cheese melted into every crevice. The bacon added rich smoky flavor, the peppers brought sweetness and color, and the onions tied everything together beautifully.

These Steakhouse Smothered Hasselback Potatoes are hearty enough to be a meal on their own, but they're especially wonderful served alongside barbecue ribs, grilled steak, smoked chicken, burgers, pork chops, or any summertime meal that deserves a substantial side dish.

If comfort food and backyard barbecue had a baby, this would be it.

Steakhouse Smothered Hasselback Potatoes

Serves: 4–6

Ingredients

For the Potatoes

• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled

• 4 tablespoons melted butter

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Smothered Topping

• 1 pound bacon, coarsely chopped

• 1 large yellow onion, diced

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced

• 1 orange bell pepper, diced

• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Hasselback Potatoes

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Place a potato between two chopsticks or wooden spoon handles.

3. Using a sharp knife, slice thin cuts about ⅛-inch apart across the potato. The chopsticks prevent the knife from cutting all the way through.

4. Repeat with remaining potatoes.

5. Place potatoes into a roasting pan or baking dish.

6. Brush generously with melted butter.

7. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Roast the Potatoes

1. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil.

2. Bake for 40–50 minutes, until tender and beginning to turn golden brown.

3. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Smothered Topping

1. While the potatoes are roasting, cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet until crispy.

2. Remove bacon and reserve.

3. Drain off approximately half the bacon grease.

4. Add the onion and diced peppers to the skillet.

5. Sauté for about 10–12 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized.

6. Return the cooked bacon to the pan and stir everything together.

Step 4: Assemble

1. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the roasted potatoes.

2. Spoon the bacon, pepper, and onion mixture generously over each potato.

3. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.

Step 5: Finish Baking

1. Return the potatoes to the oven uncovered.

2. Bake an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden.

3. Serve immediately.

Chef's Notes

• Pepper Jack cheese makes a delicious spicy variation.

• A sprinkle of smoked paprika adds another layer of smoky flavor.

• Leftovers reheat beautifully in an air fryer.

• These pair exceptionally well with barbecue ribs, grilled steak, burgers, smoked chicken, pulled pork, or sausages.

• For an even richer version, add a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onions just before serving.

Kitchen Tip

If you've never made Hasselback potatoes before, don't skip the chopstick trick. It guarantees perfect slices every time and creates those gorgeous crispy layers that make this dish so irresistible.

Happy cooking from Nomad Kitchen!