If there’s one dish that deserves a spot in your regular dinner rotation, it’s these Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes. Think about it: a perfectly crisp and tender baked potato piled sky-high with juicy taco beef, gooey cheddar, a generous dollop of sour cream, and plenty of fresh, colorful veggies. Every bite is a celebration of bold Tex-Mex flavor and comforting potato goodness. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or craving something satisfying for yourself, Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes make any night feel like a fun, flavor-packed fiesta.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes starts with just a handful of classic ingredients, each adding its own special touch to the final dish. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity—the combination of creamy potatoes, savory beef, and bright toppings is what makes this recipe unforgettable.
- Russet potatoes: These are the perfect vessel thanks to their fluffy interiors and hearty skins that crisp up beautifully in the oven.
- Lean ground beef: Provides a rich and meaty taco filling packed with flavor.
- Taco seasoning: Gives your beef that classic, crave-worthy taco taste—don’t scrimp on it!
- Water: Helps dissolve the seasoning and create a saucy, well-blended beef mixture.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: Melts irresistibly over the hot beef and potatoes, bringing everything together in cheesy harmony.
- Sour cream: Adds a luscious, tangy finish that cools and balances the spices.
- Green onions: Sprinkle on a pop of color and mild, oniony bite that freshens up every mouthful.
- Fresh tomatoes: Bright, juicy, and sweet—these little red gems make the potatoes taste extra fresh and vibrant.
How to Make Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes
Step 1: Bake the Potatoes
Start by giving your potatoes a good wash and scrub—you want those skins squeaky clean, since they’ll crisp up delightfully in the oven. Poke each one a few times with a fork so steam can escape as they bake. Arrange them right on the oven rack (no pan needed!) and let them bake at 200°C for 45 to 50 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a fork slides in easily and the skin feels a bit tender under gentle squeeze.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
While your potatoes are busy getting golden and delicious, grab a skillet and set it over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon as you go, until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. If there’s any excess grease, go ahead and drain it off to keep things light.
Step 3: Season the Taco Beef
Once the beef is cooked, sprinkle over the taco seasoning and pour in the water. Stir well, making sure all the meat gets coated with those vibrant spices. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything thickens up and becomes rich and flavorful.
Step 4: Prepare the Potatoes for Loading
When your potatoes are ready, use a sharp knife to carefully slice each one lengthwise down the middle. Fluff the inside with a fork to break up the potato and create more surface area for all that tasty filling to nestle into.
Step 5: Load and Top the Potatoes
Here comes the fun part: Spoon the seasoned taco beef generously over each fluffed potato. While everything is hot, scatter on plenty of shredded cheddar so it begins to melt, followed by cool, creamy sour cream, a shower of green onions, and fresh diced tomatoes. Serve your Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes while the cheese melts and the colors pop—you’re in for a treat!
How to Serve Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes
Garnishes
The real joy of Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes is in the toppings, so don’t be afraid to get creative! Classic garnishes like sliced jalapeños, creamy avocado, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, or even a dash of hot sauce can all add awesome flavor and color. Let everyone at the table finish their own potato with their favorite extras for a fun DIY feel.
Side Dishes
For a complete meal, serve your Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes with side dishes that complement their bold flavors. A fresh green salad with tangy lime vinaigrette balances out the richness, while a scoop of Mexican rice or a bowl of black beans adds extra texture and heartiness. For a party spread, you can even put out chips and salsa or a simple corn salad to make the meal feel like a real celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes into a show-stopping centerpiece for casual get-togethers by setting up a baked potato bar. Lay out all the toppings—from cheese and sour cream to salsa, olives, and pickled jalapeños—and let everyone build their own masterpiece. Or, try slicing potatoes in half to create mini versions for a fun, shareable appetizer twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got leftovers? Simply let any remaining Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes cool down, then transfer them to an airtight container in the fridge. Assembled potatoes are best eaten within two to three days, and you can always store the toppings (like sour cream or tomatoes) separately to keep everything crisp and fresh.
Freezing
If you want to meal prep or make this dish ahead, you can freeze the baked potatoes and taco beef separately. Wrap baked potatoes tightly in foil and freeze, and keep the cooked, seasoned beef in a freezer-safe container. Thaw everything overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to use, then reheat and assemble with your favorite fresh toppings.
Reheating
For best results, reheat baked potatoes in the microwave until hot, or wrap in foil and pop in a 180°C oven until warmed through. Taco beef can be reheated in a skillet or microwave. Once everything is hot, load up the potatoes with toppings for a quick and satisfying meal.
FAQs
Can I make Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just swap the beef for black beans, pinto beans, sautéed veggies, or a plant-based ground meat substitute. All the classic toppings work just as well on a vegetarian version.
How can I get extra crispy potato skins?
For skins that are extra flavorful and crispy, rub your potatoes with olive oil and a sprinkle of coarse salt before baking. This simple trick adds so much texture, and the salty crust is delicious with all the taco toppings.
Can I substitute ground turkey for beef?
Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative. It soaks up the taco seasoning beautifully and makes the dish a little lighter, without sacrificing any flavor.
What other toppings work well?
There’s no limit to the toppings you can add! Try sliced black olives, corn, shredded lettuce, diced red onion, pickled jalapeños, or a squeeze of fresh lime for an extra zing.
Can I bake the potatoes ahead of time?
Definitely. Bake the potatoes a day or two in advance, then store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, reheat and assemble with the hot taco beef and fresh toppings for a meal in minutes.
Final Thoughts
If you love hearty comfort food with loads of flavor, you truly have to make Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes. They’re endlessly customizable, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Dive in, mix up the toppings, and watch how fast they disappear—this is one recipe you’ll turn to again and again!
Print
Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican, American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the delicious fusion of Mexican flavors and classic baked potatoes with these Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes. Crisp potatoes are topped with seasoned ground beef, gooey cheddar cheese, tangy sour cream, and refreshing veggies for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 454 g lean ground beef
- 4–6 medium Russet potatoes
- 28 g taco seasoning
- 120 ml water
Delicious Toppings
- 120 g sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 120 ml sour cream
- 25 g green onions, chopped
- 85 g fresh tomatoes, diced
Instructions
- Prep the Potatoes: Wash and scrub the potatoes, pierce with a fork, and bake at 200°C for 45–50 minutes until tender.
- Cook the Beef: Brown the lean ground beef in a skillet, add taco seasoning and water, simmer for 5 minutes.
- Assemble: Slice and fluff the baked potatoes, top with seasoned beef, cheese, sour cream, green onions, and tomatoes.
Notes
- Rub potato skins with salt and olive oil for extra flavor.
- Customize with additional toppings like beans, jalapeños, avocado, or cilantro.
- Pre-bake potatoes for quick reheating, perfect for meal prep.
- Modify with ground turkey or veggies for different dietary preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 loaded potato
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
