Teresa's Recipes
Bacon and Cheddar Bursting Baked Potatoes
These are not just any loaded baked potatoes - they are a feast in themselves! Each potato is packed to the brim with crispy, smoky bacon and gooey, melted cheddar cheese, turning an everyday staple into an irresistible, mouth-watering side dish. This recipe, with its roots in hearty American cuisine, is a perfect combination of comfort and indulgence that's been a family favorite for generations.
Ingredients
- 4 Large Russet potatoes
- 8, cooked and crumbled Bacon strips
- 2 cups, shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup Sour cream
- 4, chopped Green onions
- To taste Salt
- To taste Black pepper
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 4
- Dish Type: Side Dish
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Calories: 500
- Fat: 30g
- Carbs: 38g
- Protein: 18g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Sugar: 3g
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Thoroughly wash the potatoes and pat them dry. Using a fork, pierce each potato several times. This will allow steam to escape and prevent the potatoes from bursting.
- Bake the potatoes directly on the oven rack for about 45-60 minutes, or until they turn tender when pierced with a fork.
- Take the potatoes out of the oven and let them cool slightly. Be careful, they will be hot!
- Make a slit lengthwise in each potato. Gently squeeze the ends of the potatoes to open them up.
- With a fork, fluff up the insides of the potatoes. This will make them ready to absorb all the delicious toppings.
- Season each potato with salt and pepper.
- Stir together the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese in a bowl, then stuff this mixture into the slits of the potatoes.
- Put the potatoes back into the oven and bake for an extra 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted into a bubbly, golden delight.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven, allowing them to cool down for a few minutes.
- Finish off each potato with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions.
- Serve hot for a delicious, comforting side dish that everyone will love.
Tips
- For crispier bacon, cook the bacon on a baking sheet in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- You can vary the toppings as per your preference. Consider including ingredients like roasted garlic, different types of cheese, or even barbecued pulled pork for a non-vegetarian version.