These Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes combine the best of two worlds: soft, fluffy baked potatoes filled with savory taco-seasoned beef and topped with your favorite taco toppings. This easy, customizable meal is perfect for a family dinner or a casual get-together, delivering all the flavors of a classic taco with the comforting warmth of a baked potato.
Why You’ll Love Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes:
Flavor-Packed: The combination of taco-seasoned meat, creamy potato, and fresh toppings makes every bite exciting and flavorful.
Customizable Toppings: Everyone can add their favorite toppings, from cheese and sour cream to salsa and guacamole.
Easy to Make: With simple steps and common ingredients, this dish comes together quickly.
Great for Leftovers: Perfect for meal prep and reheats easily, making it a great make-ahead meal.
One-Dish Meal: This recipe is balanced with protein, carbs, and veggies, so it’s satisfying on its own or with a side salad.
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Key Ingredients:
1. Baked Potatoes
Choose Large Russet Potatoes: Russet potatoes have a fluffy texture when baked and are large enough to hold a generous filling.
Perfectly Baked: Bake the potatoes until tender by pricking them with a fork and baking at a high temperature to achieve a crispy skin.
Short on Time? You can speed things up by microwaving the potatoes for 5-10 minutes before baking.
2. Ground Beef
Seasoned and Flavorful: Ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning creates a delicious, savory filling.
Alternative Proteins: Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles can be used for a lighter or vegetarian version.
Pre-Cooked Option: If you have leftover taco meat, this is a great way to repurpose it!
3. Taco Seasoning
Homemade or Store-Bought: Use 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning for a custom flavor, or a store-bought packet for convenience.
Control the Spice: If you prefer milder flavors, reduce the seasoning or choose a mild taco mix.
4. Salsa
Adds Flavor and Moisture: Salsa not only adds a zesty flavor but also keeps the meat mixture juicy.
Choose Your Heat Level: Use mild, medium, or hot salsa depending on your preference for spice.
Alternative: If you prefer, you can use canned diced tomatoes with green chilies for a chunkier texture.
5. Toppings
Cheese: Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend melts beautifully over the taco meat.
Classic Taco Toppings: Sour cream, green onions, diced tomatoes, and guacamole are all great options to personalize each stuffed potato.
Extra Freshness: Garnish with chopped cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice for added brightness.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Baked Potatoes
Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and prick potatoes with a fork, then bake for 45-60 minutes, until tender. Cool for 10 minutes.
Slice: Once cooled, slice potatoes lengthwise and gently squeeze to create a pocket for the filling.
Step 2: Prepare the Taco Meat
Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat over medium and cook ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic, seasoning with salt and pepper, until beef is browned and onions are translucent (7-10 minutes). Drain excess grease.
Season: Add taco seasoning, 1/2 cup water, and 1 cup salsa, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer.
Simmer: Cover, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 15 minutes. If the mixture is too watery, simmer uncovered until thickened.
Step 3: Assemble the Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Season the Potatoes: Lightly season the opened potatoes with salt and pepper, and mash slightly with a fork. Optionally, add a dollop of sour cream for extra creaminess.
Fill: Generously spoon the taco meat mixture into each potato pocket.
Top: Add shredded cheddar cheese and any other desired toppings like green onions, diced tomatoes, or more sour cream.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Final Bake (Optional): For melted, bubbly cheese, place stuffed potatoes under the broiler for a few minutes, watching closely.
Serve: Serve warm and enjoy your hearty Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes!
Serving Suggestions:
These Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes are delicious on their own but can be paired with these sides for a complete meal:
Mexican Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice: A side of rice complements the flavors of the stuffed potatoes perfectly.
Side Salad: Serve with a simple side salad of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette.
Chips and Salsa: Add a side of tortilla chips and salsa for extra crunch and dipping.
Fresh Fruit: Lighten the meal with a side of fresh fruit, like pineapple or mango, for a refreshing contrast to the hearty potatoes.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes are great for leftovers and can be stored and reheated easily:
Refrigeration: Store leftover stuffed potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To reheat, place the potato in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes, or microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
Freezing: Wrap stuffed potatoes individually in foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Variations to Try:
Make this recipe your own with these tasty variations:
Chicken Taco Stuffed Potatoes: Use ground chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.
Vegetarian Option: Substitute the beef with black beans, pinto beans, or a plant-based ground beef alternative for a vegetarian-friendly version.
Southwest Style: Add black beans and corn to the taco meat mixture for a Southwest-inspired flavor.
Breakfast Taco Potatoes: Swap the ground beef for scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage, then top with cheese and salsa for a fun breakfast twist.
Conclusion:
Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes are a delightful and filling dish that’s perfect for taco lovers looking for something a little different. With the rich flavors of taco-seasoned beef, creamy baked potato, and customizable toppings, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Serve it up hot, and enjoy the delicious fusion of flavors in every bite!
Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 large baked potatoes
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning (or 1 packet of store-bought taco seasoning)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon sour cream per potato, optional
- 1 small handful diced tomatoes, green onions optional for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and prick potatoes with a fork, then bake for 45-60 minutes until tender. Cool for 10 minutes. Once cooled, slice potatoes lengthwise and gently squeeze to create a pocket for the filling.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic, seasoning with salt and pepper, until beef is browned and onions are translucent (7-10 minutes). Drain excess grease. Add taco seasoning, 1/2 cup water, and salsa, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Lightly season opened potatoes with salt and pepper, and mash slightly with a fork. Add a dollop of sour cream if desired. Spoon taco meat mixture generously into each potato pocket. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and any other toppings like green onions, diced tomatoes, or more sour cream.
- For melted, bubbly cheese, place stuffed potatoes under the broiler for a few minutes, watching closely. Serve warm and enjoy!