Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes (Printable)
Crisp baked potatoes topped with seasoned taco meat, cheese and fresh fixings for a customizable Tex-Mex meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Potatoes
01 - 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed
→ Taco Meat
02 - 1 pound ground beef
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 small onion, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
07 - 1/3 cup water
08 - Salt, to taste
09 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Toppings
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
11 - 1 cup diced cherry tomatoes
12 - 1/2 cup sour cream
13 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives
14 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
15 - 1 avocado, diced
16 - 2 green onions, sliced
17 - Salsa or hot sauce, to taste
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Prick each russet potato several times with a fork, rub with a small amount of olive oil and a light sprinkle of salt. Place directly on the oven rack and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until skins are crisp and centers are tender.
02 - Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Break up with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked through. If excess fat remains, drain before proceeding.
04 - Sprinkle taco seasoning over the browned meat, pour in water, and stir to combine. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until thick. Adjust with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Remove baked potatoes from oven and allow to cool slightly. Cut each open lengthwise and gently fluff the insides with a fork.
06 - Fill each potato generously with taco meat. Top with shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced olives, avocado, green onions, cilantro, and salsa or hot sauce as desired.
07 - Serve immediately, inviting diners to customize with additional toppings as preferred.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This dish is secretly a blank canvas—everyone gets to pile on their favorite toppings and the meal turns playful fast.
- It’s hearty, unfussy, and manages to please picky eaters and spice-lovers alike.
02 -
- If you rush the potatoes, they’ll stay tough in the center and ruin the magic texture—give them time.
- Letting the seasoned taco meat simmer for a few extra minutes makes each bite even more flavorful.
03 -
- Stick a baking sheet on the rack below the potatoes to catch drips and make cleanup easy.
- Layer the cheese on hot meat so it melts into every nook before piling on cold toppings.