Description
This Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes recipe combines hearty baked russet potatoes filled with flavorful ground beef seasoned with classic taco spices, salsa, and your choice of taco toppings. A satisfying and easy-to-make dish perfect for a family meal or casual dinner.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 6 medium russet potatoes
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
Taco Meat
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (1 ounce)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup salsa
Toppings
- Your favorite taco toppings (such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, or avocado)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the potatoes.
- Prepare Potatoes: Poke each russet potato all over with a fork to allow steam to escape. Place the potatoes on a baking tray, brush them with olive oil, then sprinkle evenly with kosher salt for flavor and crisp skin.
- Bake Potatoes: Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, or until a knife easily slides into the center. Check smaller potatoes at 45 minutes and continue baking in 10-minute increments if needed.
- Cook Ground Beef: While potatoes bake, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks, until no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat to keep the meat lean.
- Season Meat: Stir in taco seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, and onion powder, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly to develop flavor.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in water and salsa, mix well, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid evaporates. Cover and keep warm until the potatoes are ready.
- Prepare Potatoes for Stuffing: When the potatoes are done, slice open the tops. Pinch the sides and press down and inward to open them up, then fluff the insides with a fork to create a soft base for the filling.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the seasoned taco meat into each potato, top with your favorite taco toppings, and serve immediately for a warm, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Choose similarly sized russet potatoes for even cooking.
- Drain excess fat from ground beef to reduce grease and calories.
- Customize toppings to suit your taste—try guacamole, shredded cheese, or sour cream.
- If short on time, microwaving the potatoes before baking can reduce bake time.
- This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on servings needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
