Cooking these cheesy bacon ranch potatoes in Instant Pot truly cuts down on cooking time, requiring only about 10 minutes of hands-on time. With only 4 main ingredients, you know it’s going to be your favorite side dish to fix! And it’ll be a hit every time you serve it.

Speedy Tips for Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes:
- Electric pressure cooker, such as Instant Pot, really cuts down on cooking time when it comes to this delicious comfort side dish. As you know regular baked ranch potatoes take at least an hour to bake, and slow cooker version requires an advance planning. But with this recipe, you can decide to cook this potato side dish at the last minute, because it’ll be ready in less than 30 minutes, which includes the time for pressure cooker to come to pressure, mostly hands-off time. In my case, it took about 12 minutes to come to pressure.
- Only 4 simple main ingredients: potatoes, bacon, cheese and ranch dressing! I’m sure you’ll find these ingredients in your kitchen any given time!
- And you don’t need to peel them potatoes, just scrub it well, give rough chop and you’re good to go!
- If using pre-cooked bacon, I suggest adding about 1 tablespoon of oil or butter to compensate for bacon fat. And if you save your bacon fat in a jar, like I do, you can use that too!
- I don’t suggest adding more than 1/3 cup of water, because potatoes tend to overcook, which yields more like loaded mashed potatoes, instead of chunks of potato. 🙂


Instant Pot Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lb red potatoes, scrubbed
- 3 bacon strips
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup Ranch dressing
Instructions
- Cut the potatoes into about 1-inch pieces.
- Cut the bacon into small pieces.
- Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” and add bacon. Cook until nice and crisp. (TIP: If you have too much stuff stuck on the bottom of the pot, add 1/4 cup of water and scrape it to deglaze the bottom.)
- Stir in potatoes, dried parsley, garlic powder and salt.
- Add 1/3 cup of water. (If you have 8qt Instant Pot, add 1/2 cup of water.)
- Set the Instant Pot to Manual for 7 minutes at high pressure. (NOTE: It took about 12 minutes for my Instant Pot to come to pressure.)
- Do quick release the pressure and carefully open the lid.
- Add ranch dressing and cheese and stir to combine. Serve immediately.If you tried this recipe, I'd love to read your feedback.
- Please leave your comment and rating below, or share on Instagram with #busycooks and tag us @busy_cooks. Thank you!!
Nutrition
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full nutrition disclosure.
Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.
Stay connected and join Busy Cooks community:
FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM
Reader's Reviews
Lowry says
This was delicious! The fam all loved it too! Thank you for this simple recipe!
Shinee says
SO happy you tried and loved the recipe. Thanks for sharing your feedback, Lowry!
Denise Benson says
Everyone I’ve made this dish for absolutely loves it. They’re surprised it’s so easy to make.
Shinee says
That’s so great to hear, Denise. Thank you for so much for your feedback!!
Amy says
We have made these for Christmas Eve dinner the last few years, and they are a big hit. Looking forward to making them again tomorrow and for years to come!
Shinee says
Hi, Amy. I’m so happy to hear this. Thank you for sharing your feedback. Merry Christmas!!!
Lisa Polen says
A big hit last night for myself, husband, and 16 yr old son. I did use ranch powder and a little chicken bone broth instead of ranch dressing. Delicious!
Shinee says
Yay, so happy you tried and loved the recipe. Thank you, Lisa, for your feedback!!
Candace says
Absolutely 💯 delicious, family loved it so, so, much!!! Definitely a make more than once dish!!!
Shinee says
So happy you tried and loved it, Candace. It’s a winner for sure. Thank you for your feedback!!!
Denise Benson says
These ranch potatoes are so easy and have quickly become a daily and guest favourite. Awesome – all the way from Cairns Australia!
Shinee says
Ah, that’s so awesome you tried and loved this recipe, Denise! It’s definitely one of my favorites! Thank you for your feedback!
David Cleland says
Trying tonight..also adding chicken breast for extra proteins . Thanks for sharing
Shinee says
Sounds like a great plan. Thanks for sharing, David. Hope you’ll enjoy it.
Tina says
Thank you so much for a great recipe that will become a staple at my house! These were delicious and so easy! My whole family loved them!!! Could you double this recipe? If so, would you double the water added and would the cook time stay the same?
Shinee says
Hi, Tina! Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! So happy you and your family loved this!! Yeah, you can totally double the recipe. Yes, you do need to double the water amount, but keep the cook time the same.
Karan Osborne says
Made it for a family gathering and now it’s one of my most requested dishes to bring. I do add more bacon and cheese.
I’ve also made it for friends and had to forward the recipe on to them.
I give this 5 🌟
Shinee says
That’s SO awesome, Karan. So happy you and your family and friend love it. Thank you for sharing your feedback!