Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Oh boy, I just received in the mail yesterday the little Gooseberry Patch order form for one of their new cookbooks. One of the recipes from them is this mashed potato casserole which can be made with the already prepared meals from the grocery stores, such as Owens brand of mashed potatoes. It is a great family dish and goes wonderfully with Easter ham or roast.
5 1/2 cups mashed potatoes
1/2 cup milk
8 oz pak softened cream cheese
8 oz container sour cream
2 teas dried parsley
1 teas garlic powder
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon crisply cooked and crumbled
Combine all ingredients except cheddar cheese and bacon in a large mixing bowl. (if you are using the store bought mashed potatoes, you will have to get them to room temperature so you can stir them and blend in the ingredients.)
If you are using homemade mashed potatoes and have not mashed them, you will need a mixer for this and will need to beat the potatoes with all of the ingredients except the cheese and bacon.
(* I like to use fresh garlic pods to cut and rub all over the 13×9 dish before spooning the mixture into it.)Spoon into a lighly greased 13×9 baking dish; top with cheese and bacon. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese melts. Serves 12.