Twice Baked Ranch Potatoes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
🥘 Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 baking potatoes
- 1 onion
- 4 slices bacon
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: 199
- Fat Content: 10.2g
- Saturated Fat Content: 4.4g
- Cholesterol Content: 22.7mg
- Sodium Content: 326.4mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 21.1g
- Fiber Content: 2g
- Sugar Content: 2.5g
- Protein Content: 6.3g
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bake Potatoes: Wash the baking potatoes thoroughly and prick them with a fork. Place them on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 45 to 60 minutes.
- Cook Bacon: While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once done, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then crumble it.
- Saute Onion: In the same skillet, drain almost all the bacon fat, leaving just a thin coating. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until soft and translucent.
- Prepare Potatoes: Once the potatoes are tender, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. Cut each potato in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch shell.
- Make Filling: Place the scooped-out potato flesh in a bowl and mash until smooth. Add the ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and sautéed onion to the mashed potatoes. Mix until well combined.
- Fill Potato Skins: Spoon the mashed potato mixture back into the potato shells, dividing it evenly among them.
- Bake Again: Place the filled potato halves on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Broil for Crispiness: For an extra crispy finish, switch the oven to broil and broil the potatoes for 2-3 minutes until the tops are lightly browned.
- Serve: Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Garnish with additional cheese, bacon bits, or chopped green onions if desired.
Recipe Notes:
- Make sure to choose baking potatoes with even shapes and smooth skins for the best results.
- Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite ingredients such as sour cream, green onions, or different types of cheese.
- These twice-baked ranch potatoes make a delicious side dish for any meal or a tasty appetizer for gatherings. Enjoy!
