Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

(3,203)

These overstuffed double-baked potatoes practically burst with bacon, cheddar, and sour cream stuffing. They're topped with more cheddar that browns in the oven.

Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 35 mins
Servings:
4 servings

If you've ever wondered how to make twice-baked potatoes, there's no better place to start than this essential recipe from star chef Emeril Lagasse. The decadent double-baked potatoes are so large and filling that some of his customers have ordered them as an entrée. Lagasse calls them overstuffed because he adds an extra baked potato to the stuffing mixture. Feel free to scale them down by baking and mashing only four (instead of the five used here), or use smaller potatoes.

Here's how to make twice-baked potatoes at home.

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 5 large Idaho baking potatoes (about 1 pound each)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, divided

  • 4 ounces bacon, chopped

  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (8 ounces), divided

  • 1 cup sour cream

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 2 tablespoons snipped chives

Directions

  1. Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

    Maxwell Cozzi

    Gather the ingredients.

  2.  Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

    Maxwell Cozzi

    Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Rub the potatoes with olive oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper. Put the potatoes on the baking sheet and bake until fork-tender, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Let the potatoes sit until cool enough to handle.

  3. Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

    Maxwell Cozzi

    Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a medium skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp and the fat is rendered, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

  4. Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

    Maxwell Cozzi

    Peel 1 potato completely, discarding the skin. Place the pulp in a large bowl.

  5. Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

    Maxwell Cozzi

    Cut the top quarter lengthwise from each of the remaining 4 potatoes and, using a spoon, scoop the pulp from the potatoes into the bowl, leaving a 1/4-inch layer of pulp on the skin.

  6. Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

    Maxwell Cozzi

    Return the potato shells to the baking sheet.

  7. Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

    Maxwell Cozzi

    Using a handheld masher, mash the potato pulp until smooth.

  8. Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

    Maxwell Cozzi

    Add 1 cup of the cheese, the sour cream, butter, bacon, chives, and the remaining 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon pepper and mash until smooth.

  9. Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

    Maxwell Cozzi

    Spoon the potato mixture back into the potato shells, top with the remaining cheese.

  10. Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

    Maxwell Cozzi

    Bake until hot and the cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.

  11. Overstuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

    Maxwell Cozzi

    Serve hot.

Make ahead

This recipe can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated for up to 1 day.

Serve with

These twice-baked potatoes are the perfect complement to a steak, but you can make a meal out of them served with just a salad on the side.

Originally appeared: September 2011

Related Articles