Baked potatoes are great options when it comes to no-fuss dinners. To please even the pickiest eater in the family, consider tweaking the toppings and fillings for a one-of-a-kind meal. Each recipe starts with the fully cooked baked potatoes.
Smoked Salmon Baked Potatoes
Savory smoked salmon and silky cream cheese can't miss when added to the top of a baked potato. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- 4 baked potatoes
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 6 ounces smoked salmon
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1 tablespoon green onion, chopped
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, salmon, capers, and chopped green onions.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the potatoes in half, lengthwise.
- Spoon the salmon mixture over the top of the baked potatoes.
Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Potatoes
Pepperoni pizza stuffed potatoes are a great alternative to your favorite slice of pizza. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- 4 baked potatoes
- 3/4 cup marinara sauce
- 4 ounces pepperoni
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesean cheese
Directions
- Use a sharp knife to cut the potatoes in half, lengthwise.
- Scoop out the flesh of the baked potatoes and mash with marinara sauce in a clean mixing bowl.
- Carefully stuff the mashed potato mixture back into the potato skins.
- Top the stuffed potatoes with pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesean cheese.
- Place under broiler and heat for two to three minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and heated through.
Twice Baked Potatoes
Twice baked potatoes are a classic alternative to the traditional spud. Experiment with different types of cheese for unique flavor combinations. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- 4 baked potatoes
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (or another type of cheese, if you prefer)
Directions
- Use a sharp knife to cut the potatoes in half, lengthwise.
- Scoop out the flesh of the baked potatoes, and place in a mixing bowl.
- Add the butter, milk, and salt and pepper to the potatoes.
- Beat the potato mixture by hand or with an electric mixture until light and fluffy.
- Add the cheese of your choice to the potato mixture and combine thoroughly.
- Stuff the mashed potato mixture back into the potato skins.
- Bake the potatoes in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Potatoes
For an alternative to traditional buffalo chicken, consider these stuffed potatoes. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- 4 baked potatoes
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup blue cheese
Directions
- Use a sharp knife to cut the potatoes in half, lengthwise.
- Scoop out the flesh of the baked potatoes, place in a mixing bowl, and mash.
- Add the chicken, hot sauce, and parsley to the mashed potatoes, and combine thoroughly.
- Carefully stuff the potato mixture back into the potato skins.
- Top the potatoes with blue cheese.
- Place the potatoes under the broiler for two to three minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Apple, Cheddar, and Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Jazz up sweet potatoes with sautéed apples, cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- 4 baked sweet potatoes
- 1 large tart apple (for example, Granny Smith), peeled and diced into 1/4-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
Directions
- Use a sharp knife to cut the sweet potatoes in half, lengthwise.
- Scoop out the flesh of the baked sweet potatoes, place in a mixing bowl, and mash.
- Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the cubed apples to the frying pan, and cook for four to five minutes, or until softened and browned.
- Add the cooked apples, cheese, and bacon to the mashed potato mixture, and combine thoroughly.
- Carefully spoon the potato mixture back into the potato skins.
- Place the potatoes under the broiler for two to three minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the potatoes are warmed through.
Mango-Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Choose a healthier twist on Tex-Mex with mango and black bean stuffed sweet potatoes. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- 4 baked sweet potatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
- 1 mango, peeled and diced
- 1 small tomato, diced
- 1 jalapeño, minced
- 2 tablespoons cilantro
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 2 limes
Directions
- Use a sharp knife to cut the sweet potatoes in half, lengthwise.
- Scoop out the flesh of the baked potatoes, place in a mixing bowl, and mash.
- Add the black beans, mango, tomato, jalapeño, cilantro, olive oil, and lime juice to the mashed potato mixture, and combine thoroughly.
- Carefully spoon the potato mixture back into the potato skins.
- Place the potatoes under the broiler for two to three minutes, or until the potato has warmed through.
Swiss Chicken Stuffed Potatoes
Swiss chicken stuffed potatoes will fill up even the largest stomach. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- 4 baked potatoes
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup toasted bread crumbs
Directions
- Use a sharp knife to cut the potatoes in half, lengthwise.
- Scoop out the flesh of the baked potatoes, place in a mixing bowl, and mash.
- Add the butter, chicken, and cheese to the potatoes, and combine thoroughly.
- Carefully add the potato mixture back to the potato skins.
- Top the potatoes with the toasted bread crumbs.
- Place under the broiler for two to three minutes, or until topping is golden brown.
Super Spuds
The baked potato is a versatile vegetable that can be used in any number of ways. Baked potatoes, however, are especially easy to prepare, and can be modified in any number of ways. Experiment with a variety of different topping and filling choices to find the version that keeps your taste buds hopping!
