Description
These twice baked potatoes are a comforting and delicious side dish featuring crispy potato skins filled with creamy, flavorful mashed potatoes. Easy to prepare and perfect for any meal, they combine the best of baked and mashed potatoes with cheese, garlic, and green onions for a satisfying finish.
Ingredients
Potatoes and Preparation
- 4 large russet potatoes
- Extra-virgin olive oil (for rubbing)
Mashed Potato Filling
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for sprinkling
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Topping
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- ½ cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the potatoes.
- Bake Potatoes: Poke several holes into each potato with a fork to allow steam to escape. Rub the skins with olive oil and place them on the baking sheet. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft and a fork slides in easily.
- Prepare Potato Shells: Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool enough to handle. Slice each potato in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh, leaving about a ¼-inch thick border to keep the skins sturdy.
- Mash Filling: Transfer the scooped-out potato flesh to a large bowl. Mash it with milk, sour cream, butter, grated garlic, sea salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Fill Potato Skins: Arrange the hollowed potato skins cut side up on the baking sheet. Sprinkle the insides with a little salt, then spoon the creamy mashed potato mixture back into the skins evenly.
- Add Cheese and Bake Again: Top each filled potato with grated cheddar cheese. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the potatoes from the oven and garnish with chopped green onions. Adjust seasoning as needed and serve warm as a comforting side dish.
Notes
- For extra crispy skins, brush the outsides of the potatoes with olive oil before the final bake.
- Feel free to add cooked bacon bits or chives for added flavor variations.
- Russet potatoes are ideal for this recipe due to their fluffy texture after baking.
- These can be prepared ahead and refrigerated after the first bake; just add extra baking time when reheating.
- To make this dish vegetarian, ensure the cheese and sour cream are from vegetarian-friendly sources.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
