Twice Baked Potatoes

A drool-worthy side dish, these make ahead Twice Baked Potatoes are SO good! Make a lot and freeze some for another day (instructions included for freezing!)

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings halves

Calories 229kcal

Author Kylee Ayotte

Ingredients

5 large potatoes
¼ cup butter softened
¼ cup milk
1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
6 slices bacon cooked & crumbled
½ cup green onions chopped

Instructions

Get prepped

Scrub the potatoes thoroughly to remove dirt. Pat dry. Piece 5 large potatoes with a fork.

Cook the potatoes in the microwave or oven

Use the baked potato setting on your microwave (6-7 minutes) to cook them. Alternatively, preheat the oven to 400°F, and bake 45 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Allow to cool.

Scoop out the insides and mash

When cool enough to handle, slice the potatoes in half lengthwise.
Scoop out the cooked potato flesh, leaving the skins and a thin layer of potato around the edges.
Add the scooped-out potato to a large bowl. Mash the potato with ¼ cup butter and ¼ cup milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste (you can use a hand mixer if you'd like).

Mix in the goodies

Fold in the 6 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled), 1 cup cheddar cheese, and ½ cup green onions.

Stuff the potatoes

Scoop the mashed potato filling back into the potato shells and top with the remaining cheese

Bake

Place each stuffed potato on a baking sheet and bake about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are heated through.

Serve

Sprinkle with extra green onions (or fresh parsley) and bacon. Serve with sour cream.

Notes

When scooping the potato out - be careful with it, you don't want to pierce the potato skin if you can help it.

Additions and substitutions

Use turkey bacon or store bought cooked bacon crumbles.
Add some garlic powder to the mixture when mashing - it's delish!
Add sour cream, butter AND milk to the mash - for a tangier approach

What kind of potatoes to use?

I prefer Russet potatoes, sometimes sold as "baking potatoes". Russets are big, and hold up well to being baked twice!

How to Freeze Twice Baked Potatoes

Simply make the potatoes to the point where you'd pop them in the oven for their second bake. Instead, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer in a freezer-safe bag.

To use, unwrap and bake as directed - add about 10 minutes of extra baking time if fully frozen. No need to thaw.

Nutrition