Country Ranch Green Beans ‘n Potatoes with Bacon is a hearty, flavorful dish combining tender green beans, creamy potatoes, and crispy bacon, all tossed in a savory ranch dressing flavor. It’s a comforting side dish perfect for any meal or as a main dish if you want something lighter. Here’s how you can make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh green beans (trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 4 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet work well), diced
- 6 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing (or ranch seasoning mix if you prefer to make it from scratch)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter (for cooking)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Bacon:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
2. Cook the Potatoes:
- In the same skillet (using the bacon grease for added flavor), add the diced potatoes and cook over medium heat. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and golden brown. If the potatoes start to stick to the pan, you can add a bit of olive oil or butter.
3. Cook the Green Beans:
- While the potatoes are cooking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook them for 4-5 minutes until they’re tender but still bright green. Drain them and set aside.
4. Combine the Ingredients:
- Once the potatoes are cooked, add the green beans to the skillet with the potatoes. Stir everything together.
- Drizzle the ranch dressing over the potatoes and green beans. Stir to coat evenly. If you’re using ranch seasoning mix, sprinkle it over the mixture and add a bit of water (about 1/4 cup) to make it creamy.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
5. Add the Bacon:
- Crumble the cooked bacon into the dish and stir it in with the potatoes and green beans.
6. Serve:
- Once everything is well mixed and heated through, remove from heat and optionally sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- Serve hot and enjoy your Country Ranch Green Beans ‘n Potatoes with Bacon!
Tips:
- For extra flavor, you can sauté the potatoes in a little garlic before adding the green beans.
- You can also add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a slight kick if you like spice.
- If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute the ranch dressing with a light or Greek yogurt-based dressing.
This dish is a fantastic way to enjoy a satisfying and flavorful side that’s full of comforting, hearty ingredients!