Description
Hearty southwest-style Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes blend classic comfort with zesty Mexican flavors. Crispy potato shells packed with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or turkey
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- ½ cup (120 ml) diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup (60 ml) diced red onion
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sliced black olives
- Sour cream
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheet with foil for even potato roasting.
- Potato Priming: Pierce potatoes with fork and massage with olive oil to create a crispy, golden exterior.
- Initial Roasting: Bake potatoes for approximately one hour until fork-tender, ensuring complete internal cooking.
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground meat in skillet over medium heat, thoroughly cooking and draining excess fat, then blend with taco seasoning to create a robust, flavorful filling.
- Potato Transformation: Remove potatoes from oven, allow brief cooling, then slice lengthwise and delicately fluff interior with fork to create a light, airy texture.
- Assembly: Evenly distribute seasoned meat across potato halves, cover with shredded cheddar cheese, and return to oven for 5-10 minutes until cheese melts and becomes golden and bubbly.
- Garnishing: Top with diced tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, sliced black olives, a generous dollop of sour cream, and sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a vibrant, complete presentation.
Notes
- Potato Piercing Technique: Carefully puncture potatoes with a fork to release steam, preventing potential potato explosions during roasting.
- Oil Massage Method: Thoroughly rub potatoes with olive oil to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that adds incredible texture and flavor.
- Meat Seasoning Tip: Brown ground meat completely and drain excess fat to ensure a rich, well-developed taco flavor that complements the potato base.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Allow stuffed potatoes to return to oven for final 5-10 minutes, creating a perfectly melted, golden cheese topping that binds all ingredients together.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg