Taco Baked Potatoes
Cheesy, flavorful, and surprisingly filling! These simple taco baked potatoes with only 7-ingredients make the perfect weeknight comfort meal with a nutritious twist.
Ingredients
Baked Potatoes
- 2 medium russet potatoes, sliced in half lengthwise
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper
Beef Filling
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning, I use the Siete spicy taco seasoning
- 1 cup mild salsa, I prefer smoother restaurant-style and not chunky
- ½ cup shredded Tex-Mex cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
Optional Topping Ideas
- more shredded cheese
- sour cream, or whole milk Greek yogurt
- diced avocado
- diced onion, white or red
- freshly squeezed lime juice
- more ideas: more shredded cheese, hot sauce, cilantro, crema, cotija cheese, fresh jalapenos, pickled jalapenos, salsa, guacamole
Equipment
- baking tray (I use a half sheet pan)
- large non-sick pan
Instructions
- Position your oven rack to the middle and pre-heat to 400 F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- To your large mixing bowl, add potato halves, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to rub the oil and seasonings into each potato. You can also do this right on the baking tray, but I find it easier to coat the potatoes when they’re in a bowl.
- Place potatoes on the baking tray flat side down and arrange so they’re not touching. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through. You’ll know they’re done when they are very easy to pierce with a fork.
- While the potatoes are baking, prepare taco meat. Heat your pan to medium and add ground beef. Cook and crumble until browned with minimal pink remaining, stirring in taco seasoning halfway.
- Turn the heat to low. Stir in salsa. Cover and simmer until your potatoes are done.
- When you’re ready to start assembling your potatoes, turn off the heat on the beef mixture and stir in cheese and lime juice until melted and smooth. Your filling should be moist and smooth -- if it's looking dry, stir in more salsa.
- Time to serve! To each plate, add half a potato flat side up. Scoop ¼ of the beef filling over each potato. Add lots of toppings, and enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Nutrition information calculated without toppings.
Calories: 439kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 85mg, Sodium: 699mg, Potassium: 1312mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 526IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 127mg, Iron: 5mg