Taco-Stuffed Baked Potatoes are a perfect spicy fix for meat and potato lovers with a Mexican twist. Potatoes mashed with sour cream and cheese, combined with taco meat, piled high with toppings are a great dinner option!
I realize I just shared my Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Taco Meat recipe last week (anyone tried it yet?!) but there’s not stopping a muse with a constant hankering for Mexican flavors. We l.o.v.e. these Taco-Stuffed Baked Potatoes and know you will too!
I remember having my first fully loaded baked potato as a child. It was at a dark, moody steak house restaurant. It came piled high with butter, sour cream, bacon bits and chives. I could have dived right into it. I was convinced there was nothing better on the face of the planet.
Strangely I don’t make mashed potatoes often. We tend to make roasted potatoes to go along with roasted chicken. A baked potato is substantial. Where it used to be a side dish I feel like it should be pulled front and center as a main dish and this recipe gets it there with pizazz!
Spicy, savory lean ground beef taco meat is mixed with baked potato, sour cream and cheese and baked to melt together. Like traditional tacos there is loads of options for toppings: guacamole, salsa, Mexican crema, smashed tortilla chips, sliced scallion greens. Your imagination is the limit!
Don’t let the length of the recipe discourage you (maybe I’m sharing more about my own persuasions when seeing a long recipe!). It’s mainly spices to create the homemade taco meat. I really dislike pre-made taco seasoning mixes because they are too darn salty. This blend is perfection with earthy, spicy flavors that don’t blow your brains out from the heat.
To ensure not having a load of extra stuffing ingredients, the insides of two potatoes are reserved for other recipes; potato pancakes for breakfast, traditional mashed potatoes (or these Roasted Garlic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes!). We’ve rewarmed these in the microwave the next day too and they are still delicious!
If you thought baked potatoes couldn’t get any better, this Taco-Stuffed Baked Potatoes recipe is one you’ll love. Potatoes mashed with sour cream and grated cheese are mixed with spicy homemade taco meat and stuffed back into baked potato skins, then piled high with favorite taco toppings. It’s a perfect one dish recipe that’s filling and satisfying.
Taco-Stuffed Baked Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 large Russet Potatoes (approximately 2 ½ pounds total weight), scrubbed and dried
- 1 teaspoons Olive Oil
- ½ cup chopped Yellow Onion
- 1 Garlic Clove , peeled and diced
- 1 ½ tablespoons diced seeded Jalapeno Pepper
- 1/2 pound 90% lean Ground Beef
- 2 ½ teaspoons Chili Powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika (not hot)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground Coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 1/2 cup Low Sodium Chicken Stock
- 1/3 Sour Cream
- ¾ cup plus ¼ cup grated Mexican Cheese blend (or a blend of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese)
- Kosher Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste
- Topping suggestions (optional): salsa, guacamole, sour cream or Mexican crema, torn cilantro leaves, sliced scallion greens, mashed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Pierce the potatoes in several spots with a fork and place the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Place in heated oven for 1 hour. Remove and allow to cool slightly on the baking sheet. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. While the potatoes cool, make the taco meat.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic and jalapeno to the skillet and sauté until the onion begins to turn translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the ground beef and brown until no pink is showing. Add the spices (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, oregano, salt and cayenne pepper), tomato paste and chicken stock. Stir together and allow to simmer on medium-high heat until most of the liquid is absorbed/evaporated (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat.
- Slice a very thin strip off the top of the potatoes. Gently hollow out the potatoes leaving at least 1/8-inch of the potato with the skin; put the insides of two of the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and set aside the insides of the remaining two potatoes for another use.
- Using a potato masher or ricer (my preference), mash or process the potatoes. Add the sour cream, ¾ cup of the cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Mix together until all ingredients are well combined.
- Add ¾ of the prepared taco meat to the bowl with the mashed potatoes and mix together.
- Place the potatoes again on the parchment-lined baking sheet, spoon the meat-potato mixture evenly back into the potatoes. Divide the remaining taco meat and add on top of each filled potato. Top the taco meat with 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese and place back into the oven to cook until warmed through (20-25 minutes). Serve hot with a choice of toppings.
Brianne says
These look super yummy! Definitely trying this recipe out!
Our Family World says
My sister loves to try new recipes of baked potatoes. I will have her look into this and make some for us.
Tatanisha W says
Oh my, this looks amazing!! I’ve had stuffed baked potatoes, but nothing like this! This would be perfect for game night or to a party!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
This dish will be on our table tonight! Oh my goodness. It looks so delicious! We are big on Mexican food in our house! These taco stuffed baked potatoes is a winner!
Mama to 6 Bleszings says
Now that is a baked potato! I love Mexican food, this is,a great way to change it up a bit!
Kita Bryant says
Wow these look so yummy. I recently had something similar and was blown away. Potatoes go great with Mexican foods.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
We are trying to move away from eating potatoes.
But this article makes this very difficult!
Tara says
I love the Mexican twist with these loaded baked potatoes. These would be perfect for Taco Tuesday.
Theresa says
Girl, you are speaking my language here! This has everything I love all rolled into one amazing dish!
Kathy says
Those look amazing. I love having baked potatoes. Stuffed ones are the best. I can’t wait to try these ones. I love tacos and I’m sure they’ll be great as a potato.
Amy says
I love that you made a meal out of these potatoes. Tacos are such a favorite in my home.
Ann B says
These taco stuffed baked potatoes look so delicious. I know they will be a big hit with my family this weekend. I am excited to give this recipe a try.
Ora Lee Gurr says
Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes with all my favorite seasonings and toppings sound so yummy. I like the idea of mashing the potatoes and mixing in the ingredients so they cook together. It will be fun to surprise the family with this new main course.
Kelly Hutchinson says
Those taco stuffed baked potatoes look fantastic. What a delicious and easy to prepare meal.
Jocelyn @Hip Mama's Place says
What! OMG! I have to make some of these. They look so delicious! What a terrific idea!
Pam says
I love tacos, and I love baked potatoes. So this seems like pretty much the best recipe ever to me!
Erin says
We LIVE for taco night so that means we go through some taco shells. Since I’m so picky about what brand I use, oftentimes I run out before I can get to our specialty supermarket to get more.
These taco-stuffed baked potatoes are a great alternative to those boring shells! I can’t wait to try this, I’ll tag you on social media and let you know how it went when I make them!
Toni Dash says
I hope you’ll like them Erin! My family loves them; the best of comfort food and Mexican food together.
Rachel Ferrucci says
I love stuffed baked potatoes but never thought to stuff them like tacos. I love this idea and will be trying it, the family will love it!
Jaime says
These look delicious – and I love the added touch of guacamole! I’m planning out our menu for next week, and these baked potatoes will definitely be on there.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Those sound amazing! I love baked potatoes stuffed with everything from chili to sloppy joes, so I can’t wait to try these. I think my family will love them.
All That I'm Eating says
These look amazing Toni. I’ve been browsing through all your recipes today, catching up on those I’ve missed, I don’t know which one I’m going to cook first!