These Twice Baked Potatoes are one of the dishes I make most often for company and they never disappoint – and are always gone by the end of the night.
Twice Baked Potatoes
These Twice Baked Potatoes are one of the dishes I make most often for company and they never disappoint - and are always gone by the end of the night.
Ingredients
- 4 large baking potatoes
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 green onions, sliced
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 packet of ranch seasoning
Instructions
- Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour. I've heard that you can just microwave the potatoes instead for about three minutes per potato (just check for tenderness), but I haven't done it this way myself. Just make sure to poke holes in the potatoes with a fork so that they don't explode either way.
- While your potatoes are cooking, cook your bacon until brown and crispy (I usually just throw these on a cooling rack I've placed on a sheet pan and let them cook in the oven with the potatoes for the last 20-30 minutes). Remove to paper towel lined plate. Set aside.
- When potatoes are done allow them to cool for a little while. (Be careful. The potatoes get very hot.) Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh so the potato maintains it's shape; save skins.
- Place the potato skins back on the baking tray and toss them back in the oven for ten to fifteen minutes while you prepare the filling. This will ensure your potato skins are firm and slightly crispy.
- To the potatoes add butter and sour cream. Add about half of your ranch dressing seasoning packet and mix well. Taste the potato mixture to see if you need to add more ranch. Keep repeating until you're happy with the amount of ranch (I usually use one full packet for 8-10 potatoes, but that's just me). Stir in pepper, crumbled bacon, green onions and anything else you want. You can use a hand mixer to get your potatoes really smooth, but I like mine a little chunky and rustic looking. As always do what makes you happy.
- Remove your potato skins from the oven and spoon a little bit of your favorite BBQ sauce in the bottom of each skin. (The BBQ sauce is totally optional, but I love the little zing it adds.) Fill the potato skins with the potato mixture and top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake for another 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and wonderful looking.
Category Potato
Recipe and Photo: Sunshine and Bones
