Loaded Stuffed Potatoes

This is a new recipe I found in the last week or two and could not wait to try it.  The beauty of this recipe is that you can make it ahead of time or even freeze to be used later. I can't wait to make up a bunch to put in the freezer.

All you need are a couple of baked potatoes, butter, sour cream, cooked bacon, green onions, and cheese. Can't go wrong with those ingredients.  You can make as many or as few as you need.  Make a bunch for dinner and freeze part of them for another night.

Bake your potatoes in the oven.  I checked them every 30 minutes.  I turned them after the first 30.  Most potatoes will cook in an hour unless they are really big.  If they are small potatoes it might not take the full hour so check on them several times in that last 30 minutes.  Take them out of the oven and let cool completely unless you are having them the same day. Cut them lengthwise in half.

Then scoop out the pulp from the potatoes leaving enough potatoes on the edges so the potatoes keep their shape and have a nice place for the good stuff we are going to restuff them with.

You will end up with a nice bowlful of potato pulp.

Mash together 3-4 T butter and 1/2 c sour cream.  Mix well.  I go ahead and add the salt and pepper at this time so that it gets mixed in really well.  

Add about 1 1/4 c shredded cheese.  You can use whatever type of cheese you like.  I usually use Colby Jack shredded cheese.

Cook 8-10 slices of bacon. I cook it in the microwave.  Make sure you drain them well.  You don't want grease in your potatoes. Rough chop the bacon.

Chop up 3 or 4 green onions, using part of the green stems as well.

Add the green onions and bacon to the potato mixture and stir well.

Then restuff the potato shells with the filling.  At this time you can either bake them, refrigerate them, or freeze them.

Preheat the oven to 350 when you are ready to bake the potatoes.  Add some more shredded cheese to the tops of the potatoes.  

Bake for about 30 minutes until heated thoroughly and the cheese is melted.  I usually crush some fresh pepper to go on top.

Something different from the usual baked potato to go with a nice grilled steak.

Enjoy your dinner.

Loaded Stuffed Potatoes Recipe

7 or 8 medium sized potatoes, washed

1/2 c sour cream

3-4 T butter

3-4 green onions, chopped

1 1/2 c shredded cheese of your choice

8-10 slices bacon, cooked and chopped

salt and pepper to taste.

Bake potatoes and cut in half lengthwise.  Scoop out pulp, leaving enough potato to retain the shape.  In a bowl, combine the pulp, butter, sour cream and mash together.  Then add cheese, mix well.  Stir in bacon and green onions.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Spoon the filling into the potato shells.

Preheat oven to 350.

Top with additional cheese and cook until heated through and cheese is melted.

You can freeze these potatoes.  If you cook them frozen bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Remove from the oven and add additional cheese and return to the oven until cheese is melted.