Are you looking for a delicious and comforting recipe that will impress your family and friends? Look no further than broccoli cheddar twice baked potatoes! This classic dish is made with tender potatoes, creamy cheddar cheese, and flavorful broccoli. With its crispy outer shell and gooey, cheesy interior, it's a meal that everyone will love. Plus, it's surprisingly easy to make, and it can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. So gather your ingredients and get ready to indulge in this ultimate comfort food experience.
Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!
BROCCOLI CHEDDAR TWICE-BAKED POTATOES
Simple, tasty comfort food! The broccoli makes it easy to sneak some veggies into your family's diet.
Provided by elastigirl
Categories Potato
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bake the potatoes in a 400 degree oven for about 1 hour. *Okay, I s'pose you could use microwaved "baked" potatoes instead to save time and they'd come out fine. But, please, if you do have the time, take the time to bake them. They'll taste much better and the skins will hold up much nicer.*.
- After the potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice each one in half lengthwise and scoop the guts out into a large mixing bowl, being careful to leave the skins intact. Place skins on ungreased cookie sheet and set aside.
- Add margarine to potato guts and mash using a potato masher until fairly smooth.
- Add sour cream, milk, 1/2 cup of the cheese, ranch dressing mix, chopped broccoli, and seasonings, and mix well.
- Spoon the potato mixture back into the skins, top with the remaining cheese, and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 432.4, Fat 24.1, SaturatedFat 9.9, Cholesterol 40, Sodium 358.2, Carbohydrate 42.1, Fiber 5.3, Sugar 2.3, Protein 13.7
TWICE BAKED POTATOES WITH BACON, BROCCOLI & CHEDDAR
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 400. Take butter out of the fridge and let rise to room temp. Scrub the potatoes and stick them straight on the bottom oven rack for 30m. Bacon & Broccoli Prep: You'll need a pan for bacon and a small pot for the broccoli. While the potatoes are warming up, set two burners to med-high (7-8 on the dial). Fry the bacon until crispy, and crunch into bits. Drop 2/3 of the bacon In a medium mixing bowl. Reserve 1/3 for garnish. Also reserve the bacon fat! In the small pot, add enough salted water to cover the broccoli (you don't need much) and bring to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook until al dente. Shock and strain in cold water. Chop up 2/3 very finely and throw in same bowl as bacon. The remaining 1/3, cut into small florets and reserve for garnish. Grate the Cheese into the bowl, reserving a bit for garnish. Back to the Spuds: When the 30 minutes are up, puncture the potatoes 4-6 times with a fork and turn over. Puncture deep. Cook another 30m and remove from the oven. Let stand 10m so you don't burn your hands when handling. While the potatoes are cooling, add sour cream, garlic, butter, S&P, (paprika/chili flakes) grated cheddar and scallions to the pot with the broccoli and bacon bits. Cut the top 1/4 length off of the potato. Carefully scoop out the potato innards and add to your bowl of goodies. Scrape as much as you can while keeping the potato skins in tact! Add the reserved bacon fat to the bowl and stir to combine all ingredients - Basically, you are making really rich mashed potatoes here. Now, scoop the mixture back into the skins and place the stuffed spuds on a baking tray (a cookie sheet will do). Stick back in the oven and bake for 20m or until the potato stuffing starts to brown. Add the reserved broccoli, bacon and grated cheese garnish and continue to bake until melted. Remove from oven, let cool slightly and shove in mouth.
Tips:
- Selecting the right potatoes is crucial. Russet or Idaho potatoes are ideal for baking due to their fluffy texture and ability to hold their shape. Ensure they are roughly the same size for even cooking.
- Pricking the potatoes with a fork before baking allows steam to escape, preventing them from bursting. This also helps them bake more evenly.
- Baking the potatoes directly on the oven rack promotes crispy skin and evenly cooked interiors. Alternatively, you can place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Scooping out the potato flesh carefully is essential to avoid tearing the skin. Use a spoon to gently scrape the flesh, leaving a thin layer attached to the skin for structural integrity.
- Before adding the fillings, fluff the scooped-out potato flesh with a fork to create a light and airy texture. This will help the fillings adhere better and result in a creamy filling.
- Season the potato flesh generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance its flavor. You can also add other herbs or spices according to your preference.
- When adding the cheese, use a combination of shredded cheddar and Parmesan for a rich and flavorful filling. Grating your own cheese ensures the freshest taste and texture.
- Chopped broccoli florets add color, texture, and nutritional value to the twice-baked potatoes. Steam or blanch the broccoli briefly to retain its vibrant green color and crisp texture.
- Mixing the fillings thoroughly ensures even distribution and prevents the potatoes from becoming bland. Use a spoon or spatula to combine the ingredients until well blended.
- Stuffing the potatoes generously with the filling is key to a satisfying dish. Use a spoon or piping bag to fill the potato skins, making sure not to overfill them to prevent the filling from spilling out during baking.
- Sprinkling additional cheese on top of the filled potatoes before returning them to the oven creates a golden brown and crispy cheese crust.
- Garnishing the twice-baked potatoes with chopped fresh herbs like chives, green onions, or parsley adds a pop of color and freshness, enhancing the dish's visual appeal.
Conclusion:
Broccoli cheddar twice-baked potatoes offer a delightful combination of flavors and textures, making them a versatile dish perfect for various occasions. Whether served as a hearty main course, a delectable side dish, or an indulgent appetizer, these potatoes are sure to impress. Experiment with different cheese blends, fillings, and toppings to create unique variations that cater to your taste preferences. With careful attention to detail and following these tips, you can elevate this classic dish to a culinary masterpiece that will satisfy your taste buds and leave your guests craving more.
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