Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes turn four fluffy potatoes into complete meals with seasoned ground beef, onion, smooth chile cheese sauce, and fresh taco toppings. A final low-broil stage gives the potato skins extra crispness before they are split and loaded.
This recipe serves 4 in 75 minutes, including 15 minutes of preparation and 60 minutes of cooking. The potato, taco meat, and cheese sauce cook in parallel so every component reaches the table hot.
Taco Stuffed Baked Potato Ingredients
For the potato base, use 4 medium yellow or Russet potatoes, olive oil for coating, coarse salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. For the meat, measure 1 pound ground beef, 1 small diced onion, one 1-ounce packet taco seasoning, and ½ cup water.
The sauce uses 8 ounces cubed Velveeta, 4 ounces shredded pepper jack, one 4-ounce can diced green chilies, and one 5-ounce can evaporated milk. Offer shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and hot sauce as toppings.
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Steak Mac and Cheese.
How to Make Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes
- Heat the oven to 400°F and line a sheet with foil. Wash and fork-pierce all 4 potatoes, rub with oil, and season with coarse salt and pepper.
- Bake for 45 minutes, until beginning to feel tender.
- Brown the beef and onion over medium-high heat, then drain. Add the taco seasoning and ½ cup water; simmer on low for 5 to 10 minutes until absorbed.
- Over medium-low heat, stir Velveeta, pepper jack, green chilies, and evaporated milk until smooth.
- Switch the oven to low broil and cook the potatoes for another 15 minutes for crisp skins and fluffy centers.
- Split and fluff each potato. Ladle over cheese sauce, add taco meat, and finish with desired fresh toppings.
For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.
Prepare Four Similar Potatoes
Bake at Four Hundred Degrees
Brown Beef With One Small Onion
Simmer the Taco Seasoning
Melt the Four-Ingredient Cheese Sauce
Finish Under a Low Broiler
Split and Fluff the Centers
Divide the Base Components Evenly
Layer Sauce, Meat, and Fresh Toppings
Store Components Separately
Conclusion
At 400°F, bake 4 oiled, fork-pierced, seasoned potatoes on a foil-lined sheet for 45 minutes. Brown 1 pound beef with onion, drain, then simmer with a 1-ounce taco seasoning packet and ½ cup water for 5 to 10 minutes. Melt Velveeta, pepper jack, green chilies, and evaporated milk over medium-low. Low-broil potatoes 15 minutes more, split and fluff, then add sauce, meat, and toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use Russet potatoes?
Yes. Use 4 medium yellow potatoes or Russets; choose similar sizes for even cooking.
- → How long do the potatoes cook?
Bake 45 minutes at 400°F, then use low broil for another 15 minutes.
- → How long does the taco meat simmer?
After adding seasoning and ½ cup water, simmer on low for 5 to 10 minutes.
- → How do I keep the cheese sauce smooth?
Use medium-low heat and stir constantly until the cheeses melt.