Description
A family-favorite weeknight meal, these cheesy ground beef taco potatoes combine fluffy baked potatoes with savory taco-seasoned ground beef and a generous topping of melted cheese and your favorite taco fixings.
Ingredients
4 medium Russet potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef (80/20)
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
3/4 cup water
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, black olives, avocado/guacamole, cilantro
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce each potato several times with a fork. Bake directly on the oven rack for 40-50 minutes, or until fork-tender.
Step 2: While potatoes bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the beef, until browned and the onion is softened, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Step 3: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Add the taco seasoning and water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
Step 4: Once potatoes are cooked, carefully slice each potato lengthwise down the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through. Fluff the inside of the potato with a fork.
Step 5: Divide the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly among the four potatoes, stuffing it into the opened potatoes.
Step 6: Top each potato generously with shredded cheese. Return the potatoes to the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 7: Remove from oven. Serve hot with your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, salsa, diced tomatoes, green onions, and avocado.
Notes
For extra flavor, rub your potatoes with a little olive oil and salt before baking for crispy skins. Feel free to adjust the spice level of the ground beef by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes if you like more heat. Leftover taco meat can be stored separately and reheated for quick meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 loaded potato
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg