This double-baked potatoes recipe is an excellent side dish that pairs well with any main course. It's a simple yet delicious blend of crispy potato skins and a creamy filling made from the potato's innards, broccoli, sour cream, and cheese. A hint of bacon and scallions gives it an extra kick of flavor. This dish is a great way to turn a humble potato into an exciting and satisfying component of your meal.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are easily accessible in your local supermarket. If you don't usually have sour cream in your fridge, you'll need to pick it up for this dish. It adds a creamy tanginess that balances out the hearty potato and broccoli. Cheddar cheese is another ingredient to keep an eye out for, as it imparts a rich, savory note that takes the dish to a whole new level. Lastly, remember to grab some fresh broccoli florets if you don't have any at home.
Ingredients for Double-Baked Potatoes
Potato: The star of the dish, providing a hearty base and a crispy vessel for the filling.
Broccoli florets: Adds a touch of green and a healthy crunch to the dish.
Sour cream: Provides a creamy and tangy contrast to the hearty potato and broccoli.
Bacon: Enhances the dish with its savory, smoky flavor.
Scallions: Gives a fresh, oniony kick to the potato filling.
Salt and pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance the flavors of the dish.
Cheddar cheese: Melts on top to create a deliciously gooey and rich topping.
One reader, Kaycee Pardo says:
This double-baked potatoes recipe is a game-changer! The crispy skins and creamy filling are a match made in heaven. The addition of broccoli and bacon takes it to the next level. It's a crowd-pleaser and a definite must-try for potato lovers!
Mastering the Art of Twice-Baked Potatoes: Key Techniques
How to prepare the potato: Wash, dry, and lightly oil a raw potato, then cook it in a microwave for about 6 minutes. If the potato doesn’t easily “give,” cook it for 2 to 6 more minutes.
How to cook the broccoli: Place the broccoli florets and water in a pot, cover with a lid, and cook on medium heat for 7 minutes, or until the broccoli is bright green.
How to scoop the potato's insides: Use a spoon to scoop the potato's insides into a bowl, leaving the skins intact.
How to make the potato skins crispy: Place the empty potato skins upside down on a baking sheet and broil them for 7 minutes to make them crispy.
How to assemble the filling: Add sour cream to the potato innards, mash with a fork, then add salt, pepper, and broccoli. Stir well to combine.
How to melt the cheese and heat the filling: Spoon the filling into the potato skins, sprinkle with cheese, and broil for 7 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the filling is hot.
How To Make Double-Done Baked Potatoes
These baked potatoes are cooked twice for maximum flavor, and is loaded with sour cream, broccoli, and bacon, for a richer and tastier side dish!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1baked potato
- 1cupbroccoli florets
- ¼cupwater
- ¼cupsour cream
- bacon,crumbled, to taste, optional
- scallions,chopped, to taste, optional
- salt and pepper,to taste
- 2tbspcheddar cheese,(about 2 oz), grated
Instructions
-
Turn the toaster oven to broil.
-
Cut the baked potato in half lengthwise. Then press the backside of a spoon onto the potato’s center. Use the spoon to scoop the potato’s insides into the bowl.
-
Put the empty potato skins upside down on the baking sheet.
-
Broil them for 7 minutes to make them crispy.
-
Put the broccoli florets and the water in the pot, cover the pot with the lid, and cook on the stovetop on medium heat for 7 minutes, or until the broccoli is bright green
-
Add the sour cream to the potato innards, and mash with the fork. Add salt and pepper to taste, and use the slotted spoon to add the broccoli. Stir well.
-
Use the potholders to remove the skins from the oven and turn them right side-up. Spoon the filling into the skins. Sprinkle the cheese on top.
-
Broil for 7 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the filling is hot.
-
Serve warm, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Don’t have a leftover baked potato? Just wash, dry, and lightly oil a raw potato, and then cook it in a microwave for about 6 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 451.33kcal
- Fat: 22.27g
- Saturated Fat: 12.68g
- Trans Fat: 0.36g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 5.53g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.16g
- Carbohydrates: 49.19g
- Fiber: 4.89g
- Sugar: 3.90g
- Protein: 16.04g
- Cholesterol: 61.19mg
- Sodium: 973.01mg
- Calcium: 347.94mg
- Potassium: 1444.95mg
- Iron: 3.03mg
- Vitamin A: 290.71µg
- Vitamin C: 83.18mg
Expert Advice for Perfecting Your Twice-Baked Potato Game
When preparing your double-baked potatoes, it's essential to scoop out the potato flesh carefully to maintain the integrity of the skin. The skin will serve as a vessel for the filling, so it needs to be sturdy. Using a spoon, gently scrape the inside of the potato, leaving a thin layer of potato on the skin to give it structure. This will ensure your potato skins hold their shape and don't collapse when refilled.
Time-Saving Hacks for Preparing Double-Baked Potatoes
Prep ahead: Pre-cook the potatoes and broccoli in advance to cut down on the overall cooking time.
Use a microwave: Instead of baking the potatoes, use a microwave to cook them quickly.
Multi-task: While the potato skins are crisping in the oven, prepare the filling to save time.
Prep toppings: Pre-cook the bacon and chop the scallions in advance to streamline the assembly process.
Broil once: Skip the second broiling step if you're short on time, as the potatoes will still be delicious.
Substitute Ingredients For Double-Done Baked Potatoes Recipe
potato - Substitute with sweet potato: Sweet potatoes have a similar texture and can add a slightly sweeter flavor to the dish.
broccoli florets - Substitute with cauliflower florets: Cauliflower has a similar texture and can provide a milder flavor to the dish.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can provide a tangy flavor and creamy texture similar to sour cream.
bacon - Substitute with smoked turkey bacon: Smoked turkey bacon can offer a similar smoky flavor and crispy texture as traditional bacon.
scallions - Substitute with chives: Chives have a mild onion flavor and can be used as a substitute for scallions.
cheddar cheese - Substitute with Gouda cheese: Gouda cheese has a rich and creamy flavor that can work well as a substitute for cheddar cheese.
Creative Ways to Serve Stuffed Potatoes
Elevate the potato skins: Carefully arrange the potato skins on the plate, ensuring they are positioned elegantly and symmetrically.
Garnish with scallions and bacon: Sprinkle the dish with finely chopped scallions and crispy bacon bits to add a pop of color and flavor.
Create a broccoli floret crown: Artfully arrange the cooked broccoli florets around the potato skins, creating a visually appealing crown-like formation.
Drizzle with sour cream: Use a squeeze bottle to delicately drizzle the sour cream over the dish, creating an artistic and appetizing design.
Sprinkle with cheddar cheese: Generously sprinkle the top of the dish with high-quality cheddar cheese, ensuring an even distribution for a visually appealing finish.
Use a fine dining plate: Select a pristine, high-quality plate to present the dish, ensuring it complements the colors and textures of the ingredients.
Add a touch of microgreens: Garnish the dish with a small handful of vibrant microgreens, adding a fresh and sophisticated touch to the presentation.
Incorporate edible flowers: Introduce edible flowers to the plate, strategically placing them to enhance the visual appeal and elevate the overall presentation.
Consider plate geometry: Pay attention to the geometry of the plate, ensuring the arrangement of the components creates a visually striking and balanced composition.
Use negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate, allowing the dish to stand out and become the focal point of the presentation.
Essential Kitchen Gadgets for Making Twice-Baked Spuds
- Toaster oven: A compact and efficient oven that is perfect for baking and broiling small dishes.
- Microwave: A quick and convenient way to cook or reheat food, including potatoes.
- Spoon: Used for scooping out the potato's insides and mashing the filling.
- Baking sheet: A flat, metal pan used for baking and broiling.
- Pot with lid: Used for steaming the broccoli florets on the stovetop.
- Fork: Used for mashing the potato filling and stirring the ingredients.
- Slotted spoon: Ideal for adding the broccoli to the potato filling without excess water.
- Potholders: Essential for safely handling hot baking sheets and dishes.
Storing and Freezing Tips for Double-Baked Potatoes
Let the double-baked potatoes cool completely before storing or freezing. This will prevent condensation from forming and making them soggy.
To store in the refrigerator, wrap each potato individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place them in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze the double-baked potatoes. Wrap each potato tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the bag with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
When ready to reheat, remove the potatoes from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
To reheat, unwrap the potatoes and place them on a baking sheet. Cover with foil and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to crisp up the tops, if desired.
Alternatively, you can reheat the double-baked potatoes in the microwave. Place the unwrapped potato on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. The time may vary depending on the size of the potato and the power of your microwave.
Avoid freezing double-baked potatoes with toppings like sour cream or fresh herbs, as these may not hold up well during the freezing and reheating process. It's best to add fresh toppings after reheating.
The Best Methods for Reheating Leftover Twice-Baked Potatoes
The best way to reheat leftover double-baked potatoes is in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and cover them loosely with foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to crisp up the tops.
Another option is to reheat the potatoes in the microwave. Place the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and heat them on high power for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Be careful not to overheat them, as this can cause the sour cream and cheese to separate and become greasy.
If you want to add some extra flavor to your reheated potatoes, try sprinkling some fresh shredded cheese, chopped bacon, or sliced scallions on top before reheating. This will give them a fresh, tasty twist.
For a crispy exterior, you can also reheat the potatoes in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the potatoes in the basket. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy on the outside.
If you have a lot of leftover potatoes, you can also freeze them for later. Wrap each potato individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe container. When you're ready to eat them, thaw the potatoes in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat them using one of the methods above.
Interesting Trivia About Twice-Baked Potatoes
Double-baked potatoes are a versatile dish that can be customized with various fillings such as bacon, scallions, and cheddar cheese. This dish is a great way to use up leftover baked potatoes and can be easily prepared in a toaster oven. The double-baking process ensures that the potato skins are crispy and the filling is hot and flavorful. It's a delicious and satisfying side dish or snack that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Budget-Friendly Twice-Baked Potato Recipe: Is It Possible?
The cost-effectiveness of this double-baked potato recipe is quite high. Potatoes and broccoli are affordable, and the addition of bacon and cheese can be adjusted based on budget. The versatility of this dish makes it suitable for a variety of occasions, from a casual family dinner to a special gathering. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $10-15, making it a budget-friendly option. Overall Verdict: 9.
Are Twice-Baked Potatoes Healthy?
The double-baked potatoes recipe, while delicious, has some elements that could be considered unhealthy. Here's a breakdown of the recipe's nutritional aspects:
- Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins, but they are also high in starch and can raise blood sugar levels quickly.
- Sour cream and cheddar cheese add saturated fat and calories to the dish.
- Bacon, while providing flavor, is high in saturated fat and sodium.
- Broccoli is a nutrient-dense vegetable, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Overall, this recipe is relatively high in fat and calories, which could contribute to weight gain and other health issues if consumed frequently.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Use low-fat or non-fat sour cream instead of regular sour cream to reduce the saturated fat content.
- Opt for a reduced-fat cheddar cheese or use a smaller amount of regular cheddar cheese to decrease the overall fat and calorie content.
- Replace the bacon with a leaner protein source, such as grilled chicken or turkey bacon, to reduce the saturated fat and sodium content.
- Increase the amount of broccoli or add other nutrient-dense vegetables, such as spinach or bell peppers, to boost the fiber, vitamin, and mineral content of the dish.
- Use a smaller potato or split one potato between two servings to control portion sizes and reduce the overall carbohydrate and calorie intake.
By making these adjustments, you can create a more balanced and nutritious meal that still satisfies your taste buds.
Our Editor's Take on This Classic Potato Recipe
This double-baked potato recipe is a delightful twist on a classic dish. The combination of crispy potato skins, creamy mashed potatoes with broccoli, and a cheesy topping creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The use of sour cream adds richness, while the addition of bacon or scallions provides a savory depth. The broiling process ensures a satisfying crunch and a gooey, melted cheese topping. However, it's important to be cautious with the broiling time to prevent burning. Overall, this recipe offers a comforting and satisfying dish that is sure to please the palate.
Why trust this Double-Done Baked Potatoes Recipe:
This recipe offers a delicious twist on the classic baked potato, incorporating the wholesome flavors of broccoli and cheddar cheese. The double-baking process ensures a crispy exterior and a creamy, flavorful filling. The addition of sour cream and bacon enhances the richness, while the use of scallions adds a fresh, aromatic element. The step-by-step instructions provide clear guidance, ensuring a successful outcome. Trust in the combination of these quality ingredients and the careful preparation process to deliver a delightful and satisfying dish.
Was this page helpful?
Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
Related Recipes
