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Hearty Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes (Easy & Delicious!)

Make easy Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes! A hearty meal featuring fluffy baked potatoes topped with seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh toppings.

Ingredients

Scale

Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:

  • 4–6 medium Russet potatoes
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
  • ½ cup water
  • Toppings:
    • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ¼ cup green onions, chopped
    • ½ cup fresh tomatoes, diced
  • (The original ingredient list mentions 1 chopped onion for browning with beef, but the instructions only mention adding beef. I will follow the instructions which are simpler, and the onion in the toppings list is a raw garnish) Correction: The user’s provided instructions for this recipe state “cook the ground beef until it’s beautifully browned,” with no mention of onion in the skillet. The topping list does include “diced onions,” implying a fresh raw onion topping. I will adhere to this interpretation.

These quantities make enough for 4-6 loaded baked potatoes.

Wash and scrub potatoes well before baking.

Instructions

Let’s create these delicious Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes:

1. Bake the Potatoes:

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Give your Russet potatoes a thorough wash and scrub under running water. Pat them dry.
  • Using a fork, pierce each potato all over (about 8-10 times per potato). This allows steam to escape during baking and prevents them from bursting.
  • Place the pierced potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until they are fork-tender (a fork should easily pierce through to the center) and the skin gives slightly when gently pressed with an oven-mitted hand.

2. Make the Taco Meat Filling:

  • While the potatoes are baking, prepare the meat. Heat a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
  • Add the ground beef to the hot skillet. Cook, using a spatula or wooden spoon to break it into small crumbles, until it’s fully browned and no longer pink. This usually takes about 6–8 minutes.
  • Carefully drain off any excess grease that has accumulated in the skillet.

3. Simmer the Taco Meat:

  • Return the skillet with the drained ground beef to medium-low heat.
  • Stir in the taco seasoning packet and the ½ cup of water. Mix everything together well until the beef is evenly coated.
  • Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and all the amazing taco flavors have melded together. Keep warm.

4. Assemble the Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes:

  • Once your potatoes are fully baked, carefully remove them from the oven.
  • Using a knife, slice each hot potato open lengthwise down the center, being careful not to cut all the way through.
  • Use a fork to gently fluff up the insides of each potato, creating a nice, fluffy base for the toppings.
  • Spoon the flavorful seasoned beef generously over each fluffed potato.

5. Add Toppings and Serve:

  • Top the beef on each potato with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese (it will melt nicely on the hot beef and potato).
  • Add a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of chopped green onions, and some fresh diced tomatoes.
  • Serve the Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes immediately while they are hot and the cheese is melty. Enjoy!

A hearty, customizable, and incredibly satisfying meal!

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/hearty-taco-loaded-baked-potatoes/