Loaded Twice Baked Potato Casserole (the easy, cheat way)

I am not one for elaborate fanfare in the kitchen, but I do appreciate attention to detail, quality ingredients, and effective execution of the dish.  My time should be focused on the important things in life, like kids, Big D, or Pinterest.  LOL  I love finding shortcuts on recipes.  This one is a goody.

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 lbs potatoes
• 8-10 slices of bacon
• 1/3 c sour cream
• 2 green onions, chopped  (use those handy kitchen scissors)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese  (more or less, depending on your cheese preference)
• 1/2 c butter
• 1/3 c milk
• 2 Tbsp cream cheese
• 1 tsp pepper

Step 1:  prepare potatoes

• normally they would be baked for 45 min - one hour
• Who has time for that?
• Why would we do that?
• we are going to microwave them
• poke small holes across the top of the potato in a line
• place potatoes into a baggie
• add a few tablespoons of water
• close the baggie, except leave a small corner open to allow the steam to escape
• microwave for about 7 minutes per potato (or by your microwave potato settings)
• after cooking
• safely remove from baggie
• you can run cool water over them where they are touchable
• get the peel off them and get the potato into a large bowl

Step 2:  BACON 

• cook until crisp
• cut into small crumbles (use those handy kitchen scissors)
• You will only need 8 slices for the recipe.  The other two are for you to snack on while finishing the recipe.  I mean... Come on!  It's bacon.  Meat Candy  YUMMMMY

Step 3: Mix It Up

• put everything in the bowl with the potatoes EXCEPT about 1/2 c of cheese to use for the top of the casserole
• mix it with beaters on a medium speed, but don't overdo it because your potatoes will get sticky

Step 4:  Bake It

• spread everything into a 9x13 baking dish
• top with the reserved cheese
• bake on 350F for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and everything is hot