Whole baked potatoes are one of the best and simplest dishes. It requires practically zero effort if you are creative enough and know how to make it. The easiest way is to salt and pepper them, get a little butter on top and fry them that way. But that’s as imaginative as it gets. Here are ten great ways to turn simple baked potatoes into a divine dinner.
But in an age of Pinterest recipes and TikTok food hacks, we tend to think of old-fashioned French fries in the crust as a relic of the past.
Guacamole
Sure, guacamole can be great with some cheese and tortilla chips – but pile it on top of a whole baked potato and you’ve got yourself a delicious, edible burrito. In this respect, it doesn’t matter if you slow cook it on the grill or in the oven, or just throw it in the microwave quickly, and whether the guacamole is from a store shelf or homemade – just put a layer on top of the potatoes (like you would a burrito bowl) and top with a little pickled red onion, salsa or sour cream. Feel free to pack the fries thoroughly, that’s the way to go.
Another option for the guacamole and potato duo is to make an “enchilada”: in this case, add some corn, California peppers, cilantro, salsa verde, and melted cheese on top of the potatoes.
Chicken, pesto, mozzarella
The first step is the same: boil the potatoes, and cut them lengthways. Grease with pesto, and sprinkle with fried chicken pieces and mozzarella. Fry and serve.
Tomato sauce, chopped mozzarella, olives
Olives are just a suggestion, you can replace them with peppers, spicy salami, or even sausage. Prepare and fry as above: brush with the sauce, then add the topping. A little Italian flair for dinner.
Cream cheese, jalapeno, fried bacon, cheddar cheese
Prepare the potatoes as described above, then spread them with cream cheese. Sprinkle with the diced jalapenos, chopped fried bacon, and cheese. You can season to taste.
Roast minced meat, corn, black beans, cheese
One of the coolest comfort foods of cooler weather is chili con carne, which can be prepared in a myriad of ways. Perhaps the only thing better than the heat of chili beans is wrapping the dish whole in roast potatoes, which then soak up the flavors and chili juice – a great contrast to the salty, crispy potato skins.
This pairing is nothing new either. It’s also on restaurant menus, for example at James Martin’s in the UK, where chili beans are served with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and coriander ‘topping’. And in Houston in the US, it’s old school with cheese, sour cream, and jalapenos.
Yoghurt, pesto, fresh herbs
You can use basil, thyme, and a little garlic for this recipe.
Eggs
When it comes to a filling breakfast, potatoes and eggs go hand in hand. Whip an egg and sprinkle a generous amount of cheese over diced, pan-fried potatoes, or make a frittata with spiced potatoes, ham, and fresh herbs, or make a quick, whipped scrambled egg with potatoes and onions – all delicious.
Pairing whole baked potatoes and eggs with the above dishes is less common – we don’t really know why. If you want something quick and filling, top the leftover potatoes from the day before with traditionally prepared scrambled eggs, smashed fried bacon, chives, and some hot sauce.
If you’re feeling a bit fancy, we recommend an egg beaten into the center, covered in cheese, and then wrapped in bacon for a spectacular ‘lava’ effect (look for it on TikTok).
Cheese, roast chicken, broccoli
It’s a good idea to fry or sauté the broccoli a little beforehand so that only the flavors have time to come together in the oven. Sprinkle over the potatoes, then the chicken, and finally the cheese. Fry and serve warm.
Roasted bacon, tomatoes, chopped green leafy vegetables
Any green leafy vegetable is an option, such as lettuce or cabbage. Sprinkle the ingredients over the potatoes as usual and fry for a few minutes until browned.
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Last updated: September 24, 2023