Description
Taco Potatoes combine the comforting heartiness of baked russet potatoes with the flavorful zest of seasoned ground beef and classic taco toppings, making for a filling and delicious gluten-free main course perfect for an easy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Taco Meat
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
- â…“ cup water
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the potatoes thoroughly and prick them several times with a fork to allow steam to escape. Rub the potatoes lightly with olive oil and place them directly on the oven rack or a baking sheet. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until the skins are crispy and the potatoes are tender inside.
- Cook Ground Beef: While the potatoes bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring and breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Season the Meat: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and â…“ cup water into the browned meat. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld together.
- Prepare Potatoes for Filling: Once baked, remove potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Slice each potato lengthwise, then fluff the inside with a fork to create space for the filling. Season the potato insides lightly with salt and pepper.
- Assemble Taco Potatoes: Spoon the seasoned taco meat generously into each potato half. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa, chopped tomatoes, sliced green onions, and fresh cilantro as desired.
- Serve: Serve the taco potatoes warm, allowing the cheese to melt slightly for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or black beans to create a vegetarian or leaner version.
- Add guacamole, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips on top for extra flavor and crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 loaded potato
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
