The humble potato has been a staple food around the world for centuries. Though often dismissed as bland or boring, potato is actually incredibly versatile and can be prepared in endless delicious ways. When baked whole, potatoes become fluffy on the inside with a crispy skin on the outside. Topped with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and other favorite ingredients, baked potatoes make for a comforting, hearty, and nutritious meal.
The many varieties of potatoes available today range from starchy russets perfect for baking, to smooth, creamy Yukon Golds great for mashing, to petite new potatoes, and more. Potatoes are packed with nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber. Just one medium baked potato with the skin provides 145 calories, 3.8 grams of fiber, and over half the recommended daily vitamin C intake.
When you’re looking for a hearty, comforting meal that’s budget-friendly and loved by all ages, it’s hard to go wrong with a baked potato bar. Set out a spread of baked potatoes with fun mix-ins and let everyone customize their perfect potato. From classic toppings like cheddar, bacon, and scallions to more unique additions like chili, broccoli, and avocado, the possibilities are endless.
Read on for ten baked potato recipes guaranteed to delight your taste buds.
Baked Potato Soup
For the ultimate comfort food, transform baked potatoes into a smooth, creamy soup. This baked potato soup recipe has become a classic for its simple preparation and its ability to warm you from the inside out.
Begin by baking russet or Yukon gold potatoes until very soft. Scoop out the flesh into a pot and add chicken or vegetable broth, milk, shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, green onions, and seasonings like garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then blend until completely smooth. Garnish bowls of this velvety soup with extra cheese, bacon, and chives. The indulgent flavors of a loaded baked potato in soup form will surely become a new family favorite.
Greek Baked Potato
Give your spud a Mediterranean twist with fresh Greek flavors. This baked potato is topped with a zesty yogurt sauce, spinach, red onion, and feta for a nutritious, tangy meal.
Bake potatoes until tender all the way through. Meanwhile, stir together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Slice potatoes open and top with spinach, red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and a dollop of the yogurt sauce. The cool, creamy yogurt complements the warm potato perfectly. A final sprinkle of oregano adds aromatic flavor.
Broccoli Cheese Baked Potato
For a veggie-loaded potato, try this cheesy broccoli version. The combination of melted cheddar and tender steamed broccoli makes this baked potato irresistible.
After baking potatoes, steam broccoli florets until just tender. Make a cheese sauce by melting butter and stirring in flour to make a roux, then add milk and cheddar to create a creamy cheese sauce. Slice potatoes open and top with steamed broccoli, shredded extra sharp cheddar, and drizzles of the cheese sauce. The tangy cheddar and bright green broccoli pair beautifully.
BBQ Baked Potato
For a fun twist, load up your baked potato with classic barbecue flavors like pulled pork, baked beans, and slaw. This potato turns into a handheld barbecue meal.
Start with fully baked russet potatoes. Slice them open and top with shredded smoked pork shoulder, baked beans, creamy coleslaw, and your favorite barbecue sauce. Garnish with chopped scallions. The smoky, sweet flavors make this baked potato perfect for summer barbecues and parties.
Buffalo Chicken Baked Potato
Buffalo chicken wings meet the baked potato in this clever mashup. Chicken breast tossed in Buffalo hot sauce gets paired with a cool blue cheese sauce for the ultimate game day spud.
Bake potatoes until done, then slice open. Shred and sauté chicken breast with Buffalo hot sauce until cooked through. Top potatoes with the spicy chicken, crumbled blue cheese, shredded lettuce, and chopped tomatoes. Drizzle with more Buffalo sauce and ranch or blue cheese dressing. The spicy hot chicken gets tempered by the cool, creamy toppings.
Taco Baked Potato
Think outside the taco shell with this Mexican-inspired potato. Seasoned ground beef, beans, cheese, lettuce, and more make this baked potato taste just like your favorite taco.
Cook ground beef with taco seasoning and diced tomatoes. Load up baked potatoes with the beef mixture, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded Mexican cheese blend, salsa, and sour cream. With all those fresh Tex-Mex flavors, this baked potato makes an easy weeknight dinner or fun meal for Taco Tuesday.
Pizza Baked Potato
Turn your baked potato into a mini pizza for the ultimate kid-friendly spud! Tomato sauce, cheese, and pepperoni turn this into pizza and potato perfection.
Start with baked russet potatoes. Slice them open and top with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, sliced pepperoni, and any other desired pizza toppings like mushrooms, peppers, or olives. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Sprinkle with oregano or basil. Enjoy this clever potato creation on pizza night or for quick weeknight dinners.
Twice-Baked Potatoes
Twice-baked potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. Russet potatoes are baked until tender all the way through. Then they’re scooped out, leaving just a bit of the flesh against the skin. The insides are mashed together with cheddar cheese, bacon, milk, and seasonings for maximum creaminess and flavor.
This cheesy potato mixture is spooned back into the potato skins and baked again until hot and bubbly. The crispy skins contrast perfectly with the smooth, cheesy filling. Make ahead the night before and just bake again before serving for an easy crowd-pleasing side.
Baked Potato Wedges
Potato wedges make an easy and delicious alternative to french fries. Cut potatoes into thick wedges, toss with oil and your favorite seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, or chili powder. Bake at a high temperature until the outsides become crispy and browned.
Kids and adults alike will love dipping these baked potato wedges into ketchup, ranch dressing, or other favorite sauces. They’re also great topped with melted cheese, bacon, and green onions. Bake up a batch of wedges to accompany burgers, tacos, pulled pork, and more.
Conclusion
Baked potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, made special with inventive toppings and fillings. From loaded classics to creative new flavors, these ten recipes showcase the versatility of the baked potato. Packed with nutrition and customizable for all tastes, baked potatoes are always crowd-pleasers. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients elevates these humble spuds into crave-worthy meals and sides. Next time you’re looking for hearty, wholesome fare that satisfies, turn to the baked potato. Let your imagination run wild with endless topping possibilities!