Description
Cheesy twice baked potatoes bring comfort and elegance to dinner tables with their creamy, golden exterior and rich, flavorful interior. Potato lovers will savor each bite of this classic side dish that promises warmth and satisfaction in every delicious spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cream
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly scrub potatoes and create small punctures using a fork to allow steam to escape during initial roasting at 400F (200C).
- Roast potatoes for 50-60 minutes until fully tender, ensuring a soft interior when pierced with a knife.
- Allow potatoes to cool slightly, then slice each longitudinally, creating two equal halves.
- Carefully excavate potato flesh, maintaining a thin protective shell, and transfer the inner pulp into a mixing vessel.
- Vigorously mash the extracted potato with sour cream, milk, and butter until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Incorporate crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, shredded cheese, salt, and freshly ground pepper into the mashed potato mixture.
- Generously refill each potato shell with the enriched potato blend, creating slightly mounded surfaces.
- Distribute remaining cheese across potato tops for enhanced flavor and visual appeal.
- Return stuffed potatoes to the oven, baking an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden brown.
- Garnish with additional green onions and serve immediately while warm and texturally appealing.
Notes
- Ensure potatoes are similar in size for even cooking and consistent texture.
- Thoroughly dry potatoes after washing to achieve crispy potato skin and prevent soggy results.
- Puncture potato skins multiple times to allow steam to escape and prevent potential potato explosions during baking.
- Use room temperature ingredients like sour cream and butter for smoother, more evenly blended filling.
- For a lighter version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheese and bacon.
- Make vegetarian by replacing bacon with sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions for additional flavor depth.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gouda, or pepper jack for unique taste profiles.
- Prepare ahead by assembling potatoes and refrigerating, then bake just before serving for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg