Sizzling Taco Potatoes Recipe: A Fiesta of Flavors

Crispy, golden taco potatoes bring a delightful twist to your weeknight dinner lineup.

Comfort meets excitement when classic spuds get a zesty mexican-inspired makeover.

Hearty and satisfying, these potatoes pack a flavor punch that’ll make everyone at the table smile.

Forget bland side dishes – this recipe turns simple ingredients into something magical.

Layers of seasoned goodness create a mouthwatering experience that satisfies from the first bite.

Cheesy, spicy, and utterly irresistible, you’ll want to make these taco potatoes again and again.

Dive in and let your taste buds celebrate a new dinnertime favorite.

Pairing Suggestions for Taco Potatoes

• Cool and Creamy Sidekick: Whip up a refreshing cilantro-lime sour cream dip to complement the spicy taco beef and add a tangy zip to each bite.
• Zesty Beverage Match: Serve with an ice-cold Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo, which cuts through the richness of the beef and potatoes with its crisp, light profile.
• Fresh Crunch Companion: Create a simple cabbage and radish slaw with lime juice and a touch of salt to provide a crunchy, bright contrast to the hearty potato and meat combination.
• Spice-Cooling Refreshment: Blend a quick watermelon agua fresca to balance the taco seasoning's heat and offer a sweet, hydrating counterpoint to the savory dish.

How to Store Taco Potatoes

• Store leftover taco potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Separate toppings from potatoes to maintain their crispiness.
• Wrap individual potatoes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place potatoes on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add fresh toppings after reheating.

FAQs

• What ingredients do I need for Taco Potatoes?

You’ll need russet potatoes, ground beef, taco seasoning, and optional toppings like cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, and green onions.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken work great as substitutes for ground beef in this recipe.

• How do I know when the potatoes are fully baked?

The potatoes are done when they feel soft when gently squeezed with an oven mitt or when a fork easily pierces through the skin.

• Are Taco Potatoes considered a complete meal?

Yes, this dish combines protein from the meat, carbohydrates from potatoes, and can include vegetables through toppings, making it a well-rounded meal.

Reasons to Try Taco Potatoes

• Boost Comfort Food Cravings: Dive into a hearty meal that combines the classic baked potato with zesty taco flavors, creating a satisfying and indulgent dining experience.
• Master Simple Cooking Skills: This recipe requires basic kitchen techniques like baking, browning meat, and assembling toppings, making it perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Customize Your Culinary Creation: Load up your potatoes with a variety of toppings, allowing everyone to personalize their dish and make it uniquely delicious.
• Quick Family Dinner Solution: Transform ordinary ingredients into an exciting meal that pleases both kids and adults, turning dinnertime into a fun and tasty adventure.

Ingredients for Taco Potatoes

• Potatoes: Large russet potatoes provide a hearty base for this delicious taco-inspired dish.
• Ground Beef: Lean ground beef serves as the primary protein and adds rich flavor to the recipe.
• Taco Seasoning: A pre-mixed spice blend that gives the ground beef its classic Mexican-inspired taste.

• Cheese, Lettuce, Sour Cream, Salsa, Guacamole, Green Onion: Fresh toppings that add color, texture, and additional layers of flavor to the loaded potato.

• Aluminum Foil: Helps create a steamy environment for baking the potatoes and prevents direct skin contact with the oven.
• Water: Used to mix with taco seasoning and create a sauce for the ground beef.
• Paper Towels: Assists in drying the potatoes before baking to ensure crisp skin.

How to Prepare Taco Potatoes

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Potatoes

Crank the oven to a toasty 400°F. Scrub potatoes under cool running water until clean, then thoroughly dry with paper towels.

Use a fork to poke several small holes across each potato’s surface to allow steam to escape during baking.

Step 2: Wrap and Roast Potatoes

Wrap each potato individually in aluminum foil, creating a snug little package.

Place wrapped potatoes directly on the oven rack and let them bake for one full hour until tender and soft.

Step 3: Cook Savory Beef Filling

While potatoes are roasting, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add ground beef and break it into small crumbles as it cooks. Cook until the meat is completely browned with no pink remaining.

Drain away any excess grease from the pan.

Step 4: Season Beef Mixture

• Taco seasoning packet
• Water (according to packet instructions)

Stir thoroughly and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Assemble Loaded Potatoes

Remove potatoes from oven and let cool slightly.

Carefully unwrap foil and slice each potato down the center. Generously stuff each potato with the seasoned beef mixture.

Step 6: Add Delicious Toppings

• Shredded lettuce
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Chopped green onions

Serve immediately and enjoy your mouthwatering Taco Potatoes!

Helpful Tips for Taco Potatoes

• Poke multiple holes before wrapping to ensure even cooking and prevent potato explosions in the oven.
• Use homemade taco seasoning for a more robust and personalized taste profile compared to packaged mixes.
• Remove excess grease completely to prevent soggy potatoes and maintain a crisp potato skin texture.
• Select 90/10 or leaner meat to reduce fat content while keeping the filling deliciously satisfying.
• Chop and arrange all taco toppings before filling potatoes to create a smooth, efficient serving process.

Variations of Taco Potatoes to Enjoy

• Chicken Taco Potatoes: Replace ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken seasoned with taco spices for a lighter protein option.
• Vegetarian Taco Potatoes: Swap meat with black beans, roasted corn, and diced bell peppers for a plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Southwest Taco Potatoes: Add jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle sauce to create a fiery version of the original recipe.
• Mexican Street Corn Taco Potatoes: Top potatoes with elote-style corn, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice for a street food-inspired variation.

Taco Potatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets zesty Mexican-inspired flavors in this hearty taco potatoes recipe that brings simple ingredients together for a crowd-pleasing meal. Crispy potato wedges loaded with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings create a delicious dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 to 6 medium russet potatoes
• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
• 1 packet (28 grams / 1 ounce) taco seasoning

Cheese and Dairy:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters / 8 ounces) cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters / 4 ounces) sour cream

Toppings and Garnishes:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters / 8 ounces) shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters / 4 ounces) salsa
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters / 4 ounces) guacamole
• 2 green onions, sliced

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Instructions

1. Prepare oven at 400°F for optimal potato roasting.
2. Thoroughly cleanse potatoes under running water, then meticulously dry with paper towels.
3. Perforate potato surfaces with fork tines to allow steam escape, then encase completely in aluminum foil.
4. Position foil-wrapped potatoes in preheated oven, roasting for precisely 60 minutes until tender.
5. Extract potatoes from oven using protective mitts, allowing brief cooling period.
6. Meanwhile, heat skillet over medium-high temperature and introduce ground beef.
7. Continuously break and stir beef until achieving complete browning and uniform crumbling.
8. Eliminate accumulated grease from meat preparation.
9. Incorporate taco seasoning into beef mixture, introducing recommended water quantity.
10. Elevate mixture to boiling point, then reduce heat, allowing gentle simmer for 10 minutes.
11. Unwrap potatoes and delicately slice lengthwise, creating generous opening.
12. Generously stuff potato cavities with seasoned beef mixture.
13. Embellish with complementary taco accompaniments: shredded lettuce, melted cheese, tangy sour cream, zesty salsa, creamy guacamole, and freshly chopped green onions.
14. Serve immediately and savor the robust flavor combination.

Notes

• Choose large, starchy russet potatoes for the best fluffy interior and crisp skin when baked.
• Ensure the foil is tightly wrapped to lock in moisture and create a steamy baking environment for perfectly tender potatoes.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey, black beans, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version of the dish.
• Bake potatoes and prepare taco meat ahead of time, then quickly assemble when ready to serve for a convenient weeknight meal.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 475 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 730 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg