Cheesy Taco Potatoes Recipe
Cheesy Taco Potatoes are a delicious and hearty twist on the classic baked potato, loaded with seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar cheese, and topped with fresh veggies and sour cream. Perfect for a fulfilling weeknight meal packed with bold flavors and easy to prepare.
- Author: Sienna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot enough to bake the potatoes evenly.
- Prepare Potatoes: Scrub the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. Pierce each potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Coat and Bake Potatoes: Rub the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes or until they become tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cook Ground Beef: While potatoes bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat to keep the filling less greasy.
- Season Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning and add water as directed on the packet. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to develop flavor, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Potatoes for Filling: Once baked, let the potatoes cool slightly. Cut a slit on top and gently squeeze the sides to open the potato cavity for filling.
- Fill Potatoes: Spoon the seasoned ground beef into each potato, then generously top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Melt Cheese: Return the filled potatoes to the oven for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove potatoes from oven and top each with sour cream, chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and chopped cilantro for a fresh finish.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the hearty, cheesy taco-inspired flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.
- Feel free to add jalapeños or hot sauce if you like extra heat.
- If you prefer a smoother filling, mash the potato insides slightly before adding beef and cheese.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and use seasoned black beans instead.
Keywords: baked potatoes, taco potatoes, cheesy potatoes, ground beef recipe, taco seasoning, easy dinner, comfort food