Recipes

Twice Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon

Writing a food blog makes you very aware of any and every “holiday” that comes your way.

Not that I mind it.

October was full of pumpkin, November was full of cranberries, December full of Christmas cookies, January full of…more cookies, and February? Super Bowl party food.

Like these twice baked potatoes! I can’t believe I’ve never made twice baked potatoes before. Oh right. Yeah I can. It’s because I hate making mashed potatoes. I like to think these are different though. Sure, making them involves making mashed potatoes, but the end result is so incredibly delicious that it wipes the slate clean.

If the Super Bowls not your thing, don’t worry. It’s really not mine either. Like I said before, I’m really just in it for the eats. So even if you don’t plan to watch the big game, you should still make these potatoes!

And in case anyone doesn’t know, a twice baked potato is literally just a baked potato skin loaded with creamy mashed potatoes and topped (preferably) with a ridiculous amount of cheese and bacon.

Heaven on earth? I think so.

They look like little potato boats and that’s one of the reasons why I love them so much! Another reason is because why wait until the Super Bowl? I ate one hot out of the oven alongside a cup of broccoli, cheddar soup for lunch yesterday and it was absolutely perfect. So perfect that I had to call Adam at work and tell him he better get his butt over here for a twice baked potato, stat.

And he did.

I love that about him.

Cheddar and bacon are just my poisons of choice, though. You really could get creative here! Try goat cheese and chives mixed in your mashed potatoes, buffalo chicken dip on top (did I really just say that out loud?), roasted garlic or salsa. I think a Mexican twice baked potato would be out of this world, don’t you?!

They’re great to make for a crowd because two potatoes feed four people. Talk about a cheap sidedish.

If you ever invite me over for dinner there’s a strong chance I’ll bring twice baked potatoes. I hope that’s okay and we can still be friends.

Twice Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon

serves 4

Print this recipe!

2 large russet potatoes

3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese

3 slices bacon

1/4 cup milk

2 T butter, softened

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Prick your potatoes all over with a fork and then bake at 400 degrees for about 1 hr 15 minutes, or until tender.

Remove from oven (reduce oven heat to 350 degrees) and let cool while cooking the bacon on the stove. Once bacon is done, drain on paper towels.

Then, cut potatoes down the middle so now you have four potato halves (boats). Using a spoon, scoop out the baked potato into a large bowl, saving the skins for later. Add the butter, milk, salt and pepper to the potatoes and beat until smooth.

Fill potato skins with the mashed potato mixture and top with cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is bubbling.

note: you can also prepare these ahead of time by filling the potatoes and either keeping them in the fridge or freezing them for up to a month. When you’re ready to eat, take potatoes out and bake at 350 for half an hour until hot. Then, top with the cheese and bacon and bake just long enough for the cheese to melt.

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  • megan @ blackberries for jam
    February 4, 2011 at 5:09 am

    These are simple and cheap! I wish I knew about them yesterday before I went out and broke the grocery budget on the ridiculously complicated spring rolls I’m going to make for the game. Well, I guess I’ll just have to add these to my menu, for two people.

  • storiesovertea
    February 4, 2011 at 5:12 am

    I love potatoes. I love cheese. I love bacon. Looks great.

  • Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl
    February 4, 2011 at 5:13 am

    I am sooo making these for my husband’s Fantasy Football draft next year! The guys will love them…and I think I could make them halfway cheap. Double score!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet
    February 4, 2011 at 5:16 am

    No joke, these were my favorite food growing up as a kid. We always have them on Christmas Eve with filet! They remind me of my grandma. And I’ve never made them before! Ah, what am I thinking?

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
    February 4, 2011 at 5:26 am

    Twice baked potatoes are the best! Unfortunately cheese is not my friend, but I’d take it without the cheddar.

  • Baking 'n' Books
    February 4, 2011 at 5:27 am

    This is great!

    I always wondering what they were and am happy with the anser 🙂

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
    February 4, 2011 at 5:27 am

    Twice baked potatoes brings me back to my childhood. My mom always used to make them but I haven’t even thought about them in ages! Yum!

  • Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day
    February 4, 2011 at 5:30 am

    Those look great! Potatoes are awesome! ..

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    February 4, 2011 at 5:34 am

    This sounds so delicious! I feel like cheddar and bacon are 2 things that were just made to be with each other, sort of like PB&J. Have a great day Jenna!

  • Maria
    February 4, 2011 at 5:38 am

    Twice baked potatoes are totally superior to mashed potatoes!

    • jenna
      February 4, 2011 at 8:01 am

      I agree!

  • mary (sisters running the kitchen)
    February 4, 2011 at 5:41 am

    these look awesome! my mom makes the best twice baked potatoes. So great!

  • Amy
    February 4, 2011 at 5:42 am

    Jenna, I would like you to know that the only reason I am throwing a super bowl party this year (hehe… um, and if I’m honest, the only reason I’m watching the Super Bowl…) is so that I can make & eat this food 🙂 I’m loving your Super Bowl Part food series!

    • jenna
      February 4, 2011 at 8:00 am

      hahaha that’s awesome! Let me know how it goes–I want to come to your party!

  • Marisa @ Loser for Life
    February 4, 2011 at 5:49 am

    LOVE these!!!!

  • Katy @ RecipeCan
    February 4, 2011 at 5:50 am

    MM this looks delicious! I should make it for the superbowl 🙂

  • Camille
    February 4, 2011 at 6:00 am

    Oh my gosh, thank you so much for this recipe. I am seriously cooking disabled when it comes to making twice baked potatoes. They are never soft enough! I am a guaranteed winner with this recipe 🙂

    • jenna
      February 4, 2011 at 8:00 am

      let me know how these turn out for you!

  • Meredith @ An Epic Change
    February 4, 2011 at 6:00 am

    I made Cheddar Bacon Twice Baked Potatoes at Thanksgiving and they were a huge hit. I actually put a little bacon and sour cream in the potato mix and then top it with the cheddar and bacon… the sour cream (in addition to heavy cream and butter) makes the potatoes incredible!

  • Natalie @ Will Jog For Food
    February 4, 2011 at 6:14 am

    Those look so good! I’ve always been too scared to make them though.

    I actually love making Mashed Potatoes, hehe. They are especially good with butter, cream cheese and cheddar.

    • jenna
      February 4, 2011 at 7:58 am

      I love EATING mashed potatoes!

  • Justeen @ Blissful Baking
    February 4, 2011 at 6:20 am

    These look delish! I like mine topped with sour cream and green onions!

  • Eliz@The Sweet Life
    February 4, 2011 at 6:28 am

    I think my jeans feel tighter just reading your recipes!

  • Sara (Miles and Manhattan)
    February 4, 2011 at 6:31 am

    BACONNNNNNN. My first thought was can those be eaten for breakfast? As I was staring down my oatmeal with hatred filling my eyes.

    Cr*apola those look amazing…!!! You truly are a food pornographer. I hope you know that’s a huge compliment…
    xox
    s

    • jenna
      February 4, 2011 at 7:58 am

      lol!! Thank you 😉

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    February 4, 2011 at 6:33 am

    I love twice baked potatoes! Such a genius idea. I wonder who came up with it-if they jsut thought, hey let’s put some mashed potatoes in this! Anyhoo, forgetting about the origins of the double baked potato, these look absolutely delicious! I love your idea of adding goat cheese and the buffalo chicken dip!

  • Rachel in NC
    February 4, 2011 at 6:34 am

    These look delicious! My mom makes a version of twice baked potatoes with sour cream and shrimp in the potatoes instead of bacon. They are amazing!

  • Brooke @ Bittersweetb
    February 4, 2011 at 7:29 am

    I love twice baked potatoes! We have them every year at christmas. I actually wrote a blog post on them http://bittersweetb.blogspot.com/2010/12/twice-as-nice.html, a food mill makes the mash potato making so much easier/faster! I love the idea of adding bacon….yummmmmmmm

  • Maria
    February 4, 2011 at 7:30 am

    I haven’t had twice baked potatoes in years. What is my problem? Will fix this soon!

  • Megan (Braise The Roof)
    February 4, 2011 at 8:13 am

    I’m with you, I rarely make mashed potatoes, but I ready should start doing it more often. I forgot how much I love twice baked potatoes! And if you fill them with broccoli or maybe some spinach it almost counts as a salad- almost.

  • Marie-JourneytoBodyZen
    February 4, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Wow, those look so tasty! I might make them for my superbowl party!

  • Jess @ MTL Veggie
    February 4, 2011 at 8:17 am

    Mmm my Mom’s been baking twice baked potatoes for as long as I can remember! You should try adding in some chopped green onions into the potato mixture- gives them a nice zing 🙂

  • Rose
    February 4, 2011 at 8:43 am

    Perfect for the Super Bowl! We’re rooting hard here in Pittsburgh.

  • mary (what's cookin' with mary)
    February 4, 2011 at 8:45 am

    I love making twice baked taters! I really like how you pipe the mashed filling back in… I like to use crumbled bacon, smoked cheeses, green onion, sour cream and some buttah. I love that you can prepare twice baked potatoes ahead of time and then bake them when ready.

  • Courtney
    February 4, 2011 at 8:56 am

    I must host a super bowl party now! Love how neatly you piped the potatoes back in, too! 🙂

  • Sana
    February 4, 2011 at 8:57 am

    I am loving the potato boatsss! Can I sail away in that?

  • Amber K
    February 4, 2011 at 9:09 am

    The commercials and the food are the only reason there IS a Super Bowl, right? 😉

  • Jess
    February 4, 2011 at 9:11 am

    the ultimate comfort food! cheese and bacon. yes please!

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    February 4, 2011 at 9:25 am

    …carbs, meat, dairy, cheap. Yup, I think I’m all set for the rest of my life as a poor college student 🙂

  • Lu @ Done Dieting
    February 4, 2011 at 9:27 am

    Perfection! I would like to have two of those…Both for me. And then a side of your toffee blondies. What can I say? I’m smitten.

  • Lisa
    February 4, 2011 at 9:34 am

    I had never heard of twice baked potatoes until my aunt made me one once. OH MY GOD. HEAVEN!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    February 4, 2011 at 9:52 am

    i love twice baked potatoes, and yes even though it involves making mashed potatoes it’s completely worth the effort!

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite
    February 4, 2011 at 10:03 am

    This is one of my favorite side dishes! Can’t believe I’ve never made them.

  • Mauimandy@The Grains of Paradise
    February 4, 2011 at 10:13 am

    Super Bowl is always a great excuse for treats like this. Should be a fun weekend out here in Hawaii! 80 Degree weather, surf is coming, my guy is turning 40, and my team is in the game! Go Steelers!!

  • Allison
    February 4, 2011 at 10:17 am

    Wow, these potatoes look amazing! I didn’t realize you had to make mashed potatoes to get a twice baked potato! I’ll have to give this one a-go!

  • Cat @ YoungHungryFoolish
    February 4, 2011 at 10:32 am

    So cheesy! Remind me of twice baked potatoes my mom used to make. Can’t wait to try them!

  • Amanda (Eating Up)
    February 4, 2011 at 10:33 am

    I used to love all forms of potatoes growing up. That love has really not gone away!

  • sonia
    February 4, 2011 at 10:44 am

    Amazing potatoes and pictures. Wud love to give it a shot soon !

  • Helena
    February 4, 2011 at 10:52 am

    Of course we would still be friends! I’ve never had twice bakes potatoes, but they look veeery good 🙂

  • Casey
    February 4, 2011 at 11:24 am

    what kind of toppings/stuffings would you suggest if you did this with sweet potatoes?

    • jenna
      February 4, 2011 at 12:08 pm

      that would be delicious! What about a black bean chili (Amy’s makes a great quick one) and monterey jack cheese? Or (cough cough) marshmallows and maple syrup??!

  • Liz
    February 4, 2011 at 11:38 am

    Mashed potatoes are a pain… but it’s usually because you need to peel and chop the potatoes before boiling them. But this way, you don’t need to peel/chop/boil! Plus you end up with a great potato skin. Genius. And I love how neatly you squeezed the mashed potatoes into the skins.

  • Ali @ Ali on the Run
    February 4, 2011 at 11:56 am

    Um, yes please! Those look deeeeelish.

  • ashley
    February 4, 2011 at 12:32 pm

    mmm, these looks delicious! I love twice baked potatoes, I make them with sweet potatoes and top them with brown sugar and marshmallows on holidays.

  • Wine Girl
    February 4, 2011 at 7:12 pm

    I never met a potato I didn’t like. This was like food porn for me.

  • Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
    February 7, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    Awe yeah! Now this is my kinda food! I *LOVE* potatoes made any way!!!