Loaded Baked Potatoes

Who doesn't love a good baked potato? There's something about a crispy skinned potato with a fluffy, pillowy interior that we just can't get enough of—it's one of our favorite ways to prepare the spud. What better way to amp up the standard steak house side? By stuffing them full of cheese, sour cream and bacon of course! Whether we're looking for a hearty side to our weeknight dinner, an impressive side dish for our holiday meal or simply an easy meal all on it's own, we turn to these cheesy loaded potatoes. 

Though it may take an hour, it's worth it for the perfectly crispy skin and fluffy inside. If you don't have a full hour to spare, while your oven is preheating, you can steam your potatoes in the microwave, then stuff and finish them in the oven.

What are the best toppings for a baked potato?
A classic is a classic for a reason. That's why we went the full loaded route with this recipe, stuffing these full of cheese, sour cream and bacon. But if that's not your thing, no worries—your topping options are endless. Black beans, corn, sour cream and salsa would make a filling vegetarian potato, or top with chili and cheese for satisfyingly delicious (and messy) dinner. You can also always go plain with butter and green onions—really, you can't go wrong with these babies. 

What do you eat with a baked potato?
These spuds, filled to the brim with your favorite potato toppings, can almost be a meal on their own, just like our bbq chicken twice-baked potatoes or taco stuffed sweet potatoes. But, this is also a hearty side to your weeknight chicken dinner or steak meal, like our medium rare steak. Serve this up with fresh roasted vegetables or a refreshing salad like our garlic herb wedge salad for irresistible contrasting bites. 

Made this? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!