These are a delicious side dish that can be adapted with spices and toppings to go with just about any meal or can even become ‘the’ meal with enough add-ins. We tend to stick with garlic and chives, but they work with bacon, cheese, crabmeat, taco fillings, and just about anything you are inspired to throw in there.

Disclaimer: In our house, I try to discourage requests for food that takes multiple stages. These twice-baked potatoes are a good example. They’re simple to make and don’t take a lot of actual work, but you do have to plan your life around them. Okay, maybe not your entire life, but these definitely require a few scheduled interruptions to a portion of your day.

Ingredients:

  • 6 medium Russett potatoes
  • 1/2 C heavy cream or milk or your preferred substitute
  • 1/2 C butter or your preferred substitute
  • 1 t granulated garlic
  • 1 t salt
  • 1/4 t pepper
  • Optional add-ins: cooked ground beef, chopped chicken, crabmeat, etc.
  • Optional toppings: chives, bacon, cheese, etc.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Scrub potatoes and pierce with a fork in several places. This allows steam to escape while baking.

For crispier skins, bake directly on oven rack. For softer skins, wrap each potato in foil. Bake potatoes for 50 – 60 minutes or until tender (fork will go into potato easily). Allow to cool. If you used foil, remove it.

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out insides and put in a large bowl. Arrange potato skins in 9 x 12 baking dish.

Thoroughly mix/mash potato pulp in bowl with melted butter and heavy cream. Add salt, pepper, and other spices as desired. I call these ‘rustic’ because we like them a little lumpy. If you prefer a smoother consistency, add more heavy cream or butter and mix longer. Spoon into potato skins.

Bake at 425 for 20 – 25 minutes or until heated through.

I usually make these in the morning and wait to do the final baking until just before dinner. If you go with this method, put the baking dish with stuffed potatoes in the fridge, and then allow a little extra baking time to fully heat for dinner.

Enjoy!