Loaded Twice-Baked Potatoes are a delicious side dish or satisfying light meal. Loaded with bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onions, they’re hearty, delicious and guaranteed to a be a family favorite!
These loaded twice-baked potatoes are the ramped up cousin of the loaded mashed potatoes I posted a few days ago but instead of baking the delectable mixture of fluffy potatoes, crisp bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and green onions in a casserole dish, it’s spooned back into the potato shells and baked again until golden and crisp on the outside and cheesy and creamy on the inside.
These loaded potatoes are an amazing savory side dish yet hearty enough to be a meal. They’re easy to make and guaranteed to be a family favorite.
The recipe can be easily doubled and the prepared potatoes freeze well for future use. Just thaw for about 30 minutes and then reheat in the oven at 350 F. Perfect for busy weeknights!
The first step of the recipe is baking the potatoes. Here are a few tips on getting your spuds ready to be stuffed with all the goodies:
- I find baking russet potatoes perfect for twice-baked potatoes because of their sturdiness and larger size.
- Wash the potatoes well and use a scrubber to rid the skin of dirt and grit.
- Prick the potatoes a few times with a fork to allow the steam to escape during baking and to prevent the potatoes from exploding.
- I like to fully coat the potatoes with olive oil and generously sprinkle the skins with salt and pepper. This way they come out nice and crisp and well-seasoned.
- Baking the potatoes sans aluminum foil results to a crispier and sturdier potato well suited for stuffing. If you prefer a softer skin, wrap them completely in foil before baking.
As you can see from the nutritional info provided, these fully loaded twice-baked potatoes are not exactly waist-friendly but let’s seize the moment and remember those women in the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart. Â These potatoes so good and so worth the fat pants!
Loaded Twice-Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 (baking size) Russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 pieces bacon
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Wash potatoes under cold, running water to rid of grit and dirt. Pat dry and rub skins lightly with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- In a pan over medium heat, cook bacon until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels and allow to cool to touch. Crumble into bits and set aside.
- Cut about 1/2-inch lengthwise off each potato. Using a spoon, carefully scoop potato flesh leaving enough potato on the skin to hold shells together.
- Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and with a fork, pierce potatoes once or twice. Bake in a 400 F oven for about 1 hour or until tender. Remove from oven and allow to cool to touch.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, heat heavy cream and butter until melted.
- In a large bowl, lightly mash potatoes with a fork until smooth. Add cream-butter mixture, bacon, green onions and 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Using a spoon, fill potato shells with the mashed potato mixture.
- Sprinkle top with cheese. Top with additional bacon and green onions, if desired.
- Arrange prepared potatoes on a baking sheet and bake in a 375 F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Now that’s soul food right there! My kids would kill to have this every night! We are a potato loving family and when you add all the toppings …. oh yeah!
Yup! My thoughts exactly!
Why has it been so long since Ive had these! I love twice baked potatoes – especially when cheese and bacon are involved!
Cheese, bacon, and potatoes are sooo delicious together 🙂
Yum these twice baked potatos sound really delish! Super rich with the addition of butter and cream!
It is an ultimate comfort food 🙂
I adore potatoes in all forms but twice baked potatoes are definitely one of my favs!
Hi Sarah! It is mine, too! Really good.
We love twice baked potatoes. I stuff mine w/ broccoli and cheese but this sounds like a great version for me to mix it up!
Broccoli in it is great!
This looks so delicious. Baked potatoes are the favorites at my house. Will try these soon.
You definitely, should! You will love them!
Growing up in the mid-west, I’ve always been a meat and potatoes person. I always have potatoes stocked in my kitchen and love to make new dishes and classic favorites with them. Now I’m totally craving steak and these twice baked potatoes.
You should make them soon, Jessica!
These potatoes look marvelous! I haven’t made twice baked in a while…now I’m hungry!
They are delicious. You should make them!
I used to think “what can be better than baked potato’? and the answer is ‘Twice Baked’ 🙂 These look so delicious and easy to make. I’d be trying them soon.
Thanks, Molly! You are absolutely correct!
We do love our potatoes and your loaded potatoes sound amazing. We prefer eating the skins — love that crunch as we take each bite. And the nice part of double baked potatoes is that you can prepare most of them ahead of time and then set them back in the oven to finish. I’m craving a potato!!
I am too. I need to make them again soon!
Those look so good! I love any recipe that combines cream, potatoes, and cheese! I’m sure they aren’t good for the waistline, but these would be a big hit with my family.
These are loaded with deliciousness. We all need something like these from time to time 🙂
I love anything potatoes and twice baked are my favorite!! Love how you served them with the sour cream .. yum.
Thanks, Veena!
Yummy! These look delicious!
Thanks, Kim 🙂
You got me at twice and loaded. Baked potatoes are by far my best side dish. Sometimes I eat them as my main dish as I love the, so much. Perfect for summer grilling menu.
I eat them on their own too. SO good!
Oh my word! I love twice baked potatoes and these ones look like absolute perfection!
They are Debra! So delicious!
This Baked potato looks incredible! My family would love these!
Thanks, Nellie!
Ahaha yes and look where those women are now? 🙂 These look amazing. Also love how they freeze well!
Thanks, Jolina! We have to give in to our appetites 🙂
These look like a real crowd pleaser!
They are 🙂
I am so making these for tomorrows dinner, along side with seared salmon. I have a 15 pound bag of potatoes so its time to get creative lol. Quick questions these are fine to make say that morning as far as roasting and stuffing and then bake around dinner time? I’m going to give it a go and let you know. I love your blog so far!!
Hi Faith
I baked mine the night before for photo-taking and zapped them in the microwave the following night for my dinner…OMG still incredibly good. I am sure you can prepare them the night before and just bake them the next day, just sprinkle them with the cheese and toppings when you are ready to go. Enjoy!
Hey Lalaine,
I love twice baked potatoes! Now that I’m done with baking cookies maybe I can start baking some potatoes! 🙂 These look delicious, they have all of my favorite ingredients, can’t go wrong with bacon and cheese!
Thanks, Jo 🙂