Cheesy Baked Potato Recipe

You might think potatoes are just extenders, adding color and flavor to meat stews, soups, and other dishes.

However, wait until you find a hundred ways to cook it, whether fries, potato chips, mashed potatoes, or crispy wedges.

Of course, the baked potatoes ooze with lots of cheese.

You can also lay it on your baked bread.

Among all root crops, potatoes are the most versatile.

Like a sponge, a potato absorbs all the flavors you incorporate into it.

It is an excellent alternative to traditional rice as it will provide you with the right energy and satisfy your hunger.

One favorite recipe for potatoes is baking them.

It has a gooey texture and the right amount of savory and saltiness from the cheese and bacon.

It's creamy and tangy, with just the right hint of sourness.

Add this recipe to your go-to list as a treat for the whole family.

In addition, baked potatoes are fantastic for potlucks and other gatherings—a total crowd-pleaser!

Try cheesy baked potatoes if you're looking for a new exciting recipe for the family!

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp softened cream cheese
• 2 tbsp whole fresh milk
• 2 green onions, chopped; separate the white part for cooking and the green part for garnish
• 3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 6 slices of crispy bacon, crumbled
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

How to Make Cheesy Baked Potato

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 400°.

Step 2. Poke holes all over the potatoes using a fork or sharp knife. Then, wrap them tightly in foil. Put them in the oven and bake until soft, for about an hour.

Step 3. Remove the potatoes from the foil. Cut them lengthwise.

Step 4. Scoop out the center of each potato, leaving at least 1/4 inch to hold its shape. To keep the potatoes together, leave a thin layer of the potato flesh. Try not to over-scoop the potatoes.

Step 5. Transfer the potato flesh you scooped out into a bowl and add the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, softened butter, and the white part of the chopped green onions. Also, add half of the grated cheddar and mozzarella and half of the cooked bacon bits.

Step 6. Thin the mixture with fresh milk, and season with pepper and salt to your preference.

Step 7. Return the filling to each potato, mounding it on top. Add the remaining cheese and bake for an additional five minutes or until it melts. Garnish with chopped green onions and the remaining cooked bacon bits.

Step 8. Transfer the potatoes to a serving dish and enjoy!

Equipment Needed

• You'll need an oven to bake the potatoes. However, you can use a toaster or an air fryer instead of an oven if you don't have one. Likewise, you can try grilling the potatoes over charcoal, which should also turn out perfectly.
  
• Use a flat baking pan or dish that fits snugly inside your oven to hold your potatoes.
  
• Use a mixing bowl and a potato masher.

Important Tips

• You can use different kinds of cheese depending on your preference and availability. Ideally, use the one that melts quickly.
  
• You can omit the cream cheese from the recipe and substitute sour cream for the mayonnaise. However, you might want to retain it for extra cheesiness and creaminess, which is ideal for potatoes.
  
• You could add corn kernels to the potato mixture for added flavor and bite. Cheese, corn, and potatoes go together beautifully.
  
• You will need cooked bacon bits for this recipe; fry them in advance or cook them in the oven.
  
• It is crucial to pierce your potatoes with a fork or knife. These holes release the steam inside the potatoes while cooking, enabling them to cook evenly without popping.
  
• You can also add herbs like dried basil, and a touch of oregano and thyme will make everything taste better.
  
• If you are undecided about the type of potato for this recipe, russet potatoes are your best option. They make great baking potatoes because they are the ideal size, hold their shape well, taste good, and bake well.