Cheesy Taco Potatoes Recipe
Cheesy Taco Potatoes are a hearty and flavorful dish combining baked russet potatoes loaded with seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar cheese, and classic taco toppings like sour cream, tomatoes, olives, and cilantro. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
- Author: Windy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- Preheat and Prepare Potatoes. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. Pierce each potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Season and Bake Potatoes. Rub each potato with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cook Ground Beef. While the potatoes bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add Taco Seasoning. Stir in the packet of taco seasoning along with the amount of water specified on the seasoning packet. Simmer the beef mixture for 5 minutes until well combined and flavorful, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Potatoes for Filling. When the potatoes are finished baking, allow them to cool slightly so they can be handled. Carefully cut a slit down the top of each potato and gently squeeze the sides to open the potato for filling.
- Stuff Potatoes. Fill each opened potato generously with the seasoned ground beef mixture. Top the beef with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Melt Cheese. Place the filled potatoes back on the baking sheet and return them to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheddar cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add Fresh Toppings. Remove the potatoes from the oven and top them with sour cream, chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and chopped cilantro to add fresh flavor and a variety of textures.
- Serve and Enjoy. Serve the cheesy taco potatoes immediately while hot for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can customize toppings based on preference, such as adding jalapeños for heat or avocado for creaminess.
- To speed up baking, microwave the potatoes for 5 minutes prior to baking.
- Use low-fat sour cream to reduce calories if desired.
- Leftover stuffed potatoes can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain texture.
- Choose sharp cheddar cheese for a more intense flavor.
Keywords: cheesy potatoes, taco potatoes, ground beef recipe, baked potato recipes, easy dinner, taco seasoning, cheesy beef stuffed potatoes