Stuffed Potatoes Loaded with Flavor. 

The first official side dish of my new “date night series” has to be a potato, of course.  But these are no ordinary potatoes.  THESE … these are loaded twice baked potatoes. 🙂 Full of cheese, sour cream, chives, and flavor!

This recipe is made for two people, hence the whole date-night-in thing.  It requires an extra large russet potato (mine are usually between 3/4 lb. – 1 lb.), and most of the usual suspects for a “loaded potato”.  I’m talking butter, sour cream, green onion, sharp cheddar cheese, seasoned salt and freshly cracked black pepper.  Bacon is another usual suspect, but I didn’t include it in my original recipe.  But if you’re a big bacon, there’s the option to add some in this recipe!

Ingredients for Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes in the Oven:

• One large Russet Potato
• Oil (IF you’re baking these in the oven – use either vegetable or canola)
• Kosher Salt (I always recommend Diamond kosher!)
• Unsalted Butter
• Seasoned Salt (Lawry’s is hands-down my favorite)
• Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
• Sour Cream (you can use full-fat, low-fat, or Greek Yogurt as a substitute)
• Green Onion (the pop of brightness to balance it all out!)
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese (I recommend buying a block of cheese and shredding it yourself.  Pre-shredded cheese has an anti-clumping agent that prevents the cheese from melting as easily.)
• Crispy Bacon 

If you’re grilling steak for date night, these are a perfect side dish.  They’re also delicious with grilled pork chops, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, maybe even some more carbs … just about anything. 

Can I Bake these Twice Baked Potatoes in the Microwave?

Absolutely yes, but only when baking the plain potato before cutting it in half.  Be sure to prick the potato all over with a fork before microwaving it, so it can release steam. 

Most microwaves have the “potato” button on them, which is ideal for baking one big potato.  If you don’t have that button, I recommend microwaving the potato for three minutes, carefully flipping it over, and microwaving another three minutes.  The inside should easily scoop out and be fluffy.

To reheat the potato and melt the cheese, I do recommend using the oven.  But you could also do this in the microwave in 30 second increments per potato until it’s as hot as you like!

How do I make a Twice Baked Potato?

A twice baked potato is basically a baked potato.  The difference is the potato is hollowed out, then mixed with all of your favorite loaded baked potato toppings!  Here’s a step-by-step process:

Bake the potato.  Preheat the oven to 400 F.  Wash the potato, then prick it with a fork.  Coat the potato in oil, then sprinkle salt all over it.  Place it on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake for an hour (until tender).  Alternatively, you can wash the potato, prick it with a fork, and microwave it on the “potato” setting, or about three minutes per side.

Cut the potato in half lengthwise to create two halves for filling with the loaded potato mix.  Scoop out all of the potato, leaving a small edge next to the skin intact.

Mix the scooped potato with your favorite toppings.  For a loaded potato, that would be butter, sour cream, seasoned salt, pepper, shredded cheese, green onion, and crispy bacon (if using).  I always taste and add a pinch of salt if needed.  Potatoes and salt are a magical combination!

Divide the loaded potato mixture between the two hollowed out potato halves.  Gently pack each potato half full of the loaded mixture, creating a mound in each potato skin.

Bake again to re-heat and melt the cheese.  Pop your twice baked potatoes back in the oven for about 10 minutes (this time at 350) to reheat them and melt the cheese.  You could also keep them warm in the oven at about 200 F.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since these loaded twice baked potatoes are so gigantic, you could easily just make a meal out of one, too!  Plus there’s instant leftovers if you’re just making this recipe for yourself, but just eating one. :)​

Recipes to eat with Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes:

• The Best Caesar Salad (if you’re going no-meat … there is so. much. flavor.)
• Italian Pot Roast 
• Slow Cooker Short Ribs
• Any grilled protein, such as pork chops, chicken breast, or steak!

If you get a chance to make these potatoes, tag me on Instagram so I can see!  And if you have any questions at all, feel free to reach out to me directly so I can help!

xx Sara