• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Begin browning ground beef in a skillet. Once cooked, drain fat.
• See below for options to cook potatoes.
• In a large bowl, mix browned ground beef, sour cream, mayonnaise, butter, and ranch dressing mix.
• Add your cooked and diced potatoes, stirring gently but well.
• Spoon your mixture into an ungreased 9 X 13-inch pan.
• Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
• Sprinkle shredded cheese and cooked bacon on top, bake for 10 more minutes.

To Cook Potatoes

• Bake - Pierce potatoes and bake them in the oven for 90 minutes at 325°. Check periodically to ensure you do not overbake. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly until you can cut the potatoes up into dime-size chunks.
• Boil - Peel and cut up potatoes into large chunks. Boil for around 15 minutes, checking periodically to ensure you do not overcook them. Drain water and let the potatoes cool slightly until you can cut up potatoes into dime-size chunks.
• Instant Pot - Peel and cut up potatoes into large chunks. Place your rack in the bottom of your Instant Pot. Add 1 cup of water and place peeled potatoes on top of the rack. Seal and set the pressure cooker to high pressure for 5 to 7 minutes depending on the size of your potato chunks. Quick-release when done. Dump water and let the potatoes cool slightly until you can cut up potatoes into dime-size chunks.