These Instant Pot cheesy ranch potatoes are perfect for your next party! They come together quickly, and the combination of cheddar, ranch, and bacon will have your friends and family returning for seconds!

Cheesy ranch potatoes with bacon made in an Instant Pot is a mouthwatering dish that combines tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch sauce. This recipe is perfect for those who love comfort food, as it’s a hearty and filling dish that will satisfy any craving.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Potatoes – I used a combination of petite red potatoes and petite gold potatoes, but you can use all red or all gold potatoes, if you prefer. These creamy red potatoes hold their shape beautifully. If you only have russets on hand, peel and cut them into chunks so they cook evenly.
Broth – You can use beef or chicken broth, which will help add flavor to the dish.
Cheese – I used extra sharp cheddar. You can also use a combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella, or stir in a little parmesan cheese, for a different flavor.
Sour cream – This adds a creamy tang. I don’t recommend substituting for Greek yogurt.
Ranch – Use your favorite ranch dressing. I like Brianna’s or Hidden Valley. If you’d rather use a dry ranch seasoning mix, whisk one packet of ranch dressing mix into the sour cream and milk instead of the bottled dressing.
Milk – You can use 2% or whole milk.
Seasoning – Salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder bring out the flavor of the potatoes.

How to Make Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

Add the halved potatoes in the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.

The Best Ranch Dressing

I’ve tried a lot of ranch dressings, and my favorites are Brianna’s Ranch Dressing and Hidden Valley Ranch. Hidden Valley is a bit cheaper, but I love the buttermilk flavor of Brianna’s. Either one works great in this recipe! In a pinch, a packet of dry ranch seasoning mix stirred into the creamy base works too.

Tips for the Best Bacon

For crunchy bacon pieces, cook your slices of bacon until crisp and crumble them over the top just before serving. If you prefer softer bacon, stir it into the sauce so it warms through. Real bacon bits are a great shortcut when you’re short on time.

Storage and Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a 350°F oven until warmed through. The potatoes will soak up some of the sauce as they sit, so add a splash of milk when reheating to bring back that creamy texture.

Can I Make These Another Way?

The Instant Pot is my favorite method because it cooks the potatoes in minutes, but you can also boil the potatoes on the stovetop until fork-tender, then assemble and broil. A slow cooker works for keeping the finished dish warm at a party, and leftovers crisp up nicely in the air fryer.

The result is a delicious and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a cozy night in or a casual dinner party. The combination of cheesy, creamy, and savory flavors makes this dish a crowd-pleaser, and the use of an Instant Pot makes it a breeze to prepare.