(12 pack) Idahoan Applewood Smoked Bacon Mashed Potatoes, 4 oz Pouch

I don't know what kind of wizardry Idahoan put in this 4 oz pouch, but these Applewood Smoked Bacon mashed potatoes are downright delicious. The smoky flavor comes in like it owns the place — bold but not bossy — and somehow manages to taste like you slow-cooked something for hours instead of five minutes. We've paired it with chicken, steak, and even spooned it next to baked beans like it was the guest of honor at dinner. Honestly? It almost outshined the main dish. And here's where things got wild — we stirred in a little extra cheese one night and suddenly it turned into this creamy, smoky masterpiece. The next day we used the leftovers as a dip (yes, a dip!) for crackers and veggies and I'm not even sorry. It was fantastic. If you want a side dish that tastes like effort but requires basically none, this is it. It's cozy. It's bold. It's bacon-y happiness in potato form. Stocking up immediately. No hesitation. No regrets.

We have tried all flavors of the Idahoan mashed potatoes and like them all. What I particularly like is that all you do is boil water and stir in the flakes. No milk or margarine to add. I wish Idahoan would make these flavors in the larger box size and not just the small packets.