Get ready for a flavor explosion where two beloved classics collide! These Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes are the ultimate weeknight dinner hero, combining the fluffy, comforting satisfaction of a perfect baked potato with the zesty, savory punch of seasoned taco meat. It’s a simple, customizable, and incredibly delicious meal that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds. Forget boring dinners; this recipe is all about fun, flavor, and pure comfort in every single bite.
Why You’ll Love This Taco Loaded Baked Potato Recipe
This isn’t just another dinner; it’s an experience! It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you’re craving something hearty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. The ingredients are simple, the steps are easy to follow, and the result is a restaurant-quality meal you can proudly say you made yourself.
Perfect for Everyone: This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s easily customized for picky eaters and can be adapted for various dietary needs.
Budget-Friendly: Using pantry staples like potatoes and ground beef, this is a meal that delivers big flavor without breaking the bank.
Incredibly Versatile: Think of the baked potato as your canvas. We’ll give you the classic recipe, but the topping possibilities are truly endless!
Fully loaded and ready to devour! Customize with your favorite toppings.
The Secret to Perfectly Baked Potatoes
The foundation of this dish is, of course, the potato. A truly great loaded baked potato needs to have salty, crispy skin and a light, fluffy interior. Achieving this perfect texture is easier than you think. It’s a simple process that makes a world of difference.
Choosing the Right Potato
For the best results, you need a potato with a high starch content. Russet potatoes are the undisputed champions of the baking world. Their low moisture and high starch content guarantee that signature fluffy texture that’s perfect for absorbing all the delicious toppings.
The Baking Method for Fluffy Insides and Crispy Skin
Forget wrapping your potatoes in foil! That method steams the potato, resulting in soft, soggy skin. To get that crave-worthy crispy exterior, wash and dry your potatoes thoroughly. Pierce them a few times with a fork, then rub them all over with olive oil and a generous amount of coarse sea salt. Bake them directly on the oven rack at 400°F (200°C) for about 60 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and the inside is easily pierced with a fork.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses straightforward, easy-to-find ingredients to create the ultimate Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
For the Potatoes:
4 large Russet potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
For the Taco Meat:
1 lb lean ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
2/3 cup water or beef broth
For the Toppings (suggestions):
Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Salsa or pico de gallo
Sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
Chopped cilantro
Sliced black olives
Guacamole or diced avocado
Look at that texture! The perfect combination of fluffy potato and savory taco filling.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Assembling Your Masterpiece
Bringing your ground beef baked potato recipe to life is a simple, two-part process. First, we’ll bake the potatoes to perfection, then we’ll whip up the savory taco filling while they’re in the oven.
Preparing the Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Scrub the potatoes under running water and pat them completely dry with a paper towel.
Pierce each potato 4-5 times with a fork. This allows steam to escape, preventing them from exploding.
Rub the potatoes all over with olive oil and season generously with coarse sea salt.
Place the potatoes directly on the middle oven rack and bake for 60-75 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the inside is tender.
Making the Taco Meat Filling
While the potatoes are baking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned all over. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the taco seasoning packet and the water or beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
Assembling the Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes
Once the potatoes are done, carefully remove them from the oven. Let them cool for a few minutes until they are safe to handle.
Slice each potato open lengthwise. Use a fork to fluff up the inside.
Add a pat of butter inside each potato and season with a little salt and pepper if desired.
Spoon a generous amount of the taco meat mixture into each potato.
Top with shredded cheese and return to the oven for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and finish with your favorite toppings like sour cream, salsa, and cilantro. Serve immediately!
Endless Customization: Topping and Variation Ideas
One of the best parts about this Mexican loaded baked potatoes recipe is its versatility. You can stick to the classics or get creative with different proteins and toppings. For a different but equally delicious meal, try these Cowboy Butter Chicken flavors.
Protein Swaps
Not a fan of ground beef? No problem! This recipe works wonderfully with other proteins. Try using ground turkey, shredded chicken (a great use for rotisserie chicken!), or even chorizo for an extra spicy kick. For a quick and flavorful alternative, our High-Protein Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe offers a great base for adaptation.
Vegetarian & Vegan Options
To make a vegetarian version, simply swap the ground beef for a plant-based alternative like black beans, pinto beans, lentils, or your favorite veggie ground. For a vegan-friendly meal, use plant-based ground, dairy-free cheese, and a vegan sour cream or avocado crema. This Mediterranean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes recipe also provides great vegetarian inspiration.
Pro Tips for Success
Want to make your taco stuffed baked potatoes truly unforgettable? Follow these simple tips from a seasoned culinary guide.
Don’t Skip the Oil and Salt Rub: This is the key to getting that irresistible crispy potato skin.
Toast Your Spices: If using individual spices instead of a packet, toast them in the pan for 30 seconds before adding the liquid to bloom their flavor.
Let It Simmer: Allowing the meat sauce to simmer and thicken is crucial for developing a rich, deep flavor.
Russet potatoes are the best choice for baking. Their high starch and low moisture content result in a light, fluffy interior that’s perfect for absorbing toppings, while the skin gets wonderfully crisp in the oven.
The possibilities are endless! Popular toppings include shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, black olives, jalapeños, and fresh cilantro. Feel free to get creative!
Yes! For best results, you can bake the potatoes and prepare the taco meat up to 3 days in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat, assemble, and add your fresh toppings.
Store leftover loaded potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best texture, reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. Microwaving may make the potato skin soft.
These potatoes are a hearty meal on their own, but they also pair well with a simple side salad, Mexican street corn, or a side of black beans and rice to make it an even more complete meal.
Craving More?
We hope you love this incredible Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes recipe! It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly special. If you tried it, or even if you put your own spin on it, we’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and share your creations with our community. For more visual inspiration and delicious recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
The only weeknight dinner you'll need! Our Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes are easy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying.
Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe
FL Recipes
Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes: The Ultimate Comfort Food Mashup
Discover the ultimate comfort food with our Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes! This easy recipe combines fluffy baked potatoes with savory, seasoned taco meat and all your favorite toppings for a delicious and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Rub the potatoes with olive oil and season generously with coarse sea salt.
Place potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for 60-75 minutes until skin is crispy and inside is tender.
Make the Taco Meat
While potatoes bake, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chopped onion and cook until softened (3-4 mins). Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add ground beef, break it apart, and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
Stir in the taco seasoning and water/broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
Assemble
Carefully remove potatoes from the oven and slice open lengthwise. Fluff the inside with a fork.
Spoon a generous amount of taco meat into each potato.
Top with shredded cheese and return to the oven for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
Remove from oven and add your favorite toppings. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 550kcalProtein: 30gFat: 25gFiber: 8g
Notes
Pro Tip: Don't wrap the potatoes in foil! Baking them directly on the rack is the secret to getting that perfectly crispy skin. Meal Prep: You can bake the potatoes and make the taco meat up to 3 days in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator and assemble and reheat when you're ready to eat.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
