different ways to make a great meal out of a baked potato

These are great on a budget meals from the kitchn

 !!!!! baked potato recipes !!!!!!!

 

Shredded Chicken + Hot Sauce + Ranch Dressing

Fans of buffalo chicken wings, this is for you. Toss shredded rotisserie chicken (or any other type of cooked chicken you have on hand) with your favorite store-bought hot sauce, stuff into a baked potato, and load it up with ranch dressing. You can add additional garnishes, like sliced scallions, diced celery, and bacon, or keep it simple.

Cheddar + Sour Cream + Chives + Black Pepper

This combination is a classic for a reason. After sprinkling on the cheese, pop the potatoes back in the oven so the cheese can melt before adding the sour cream.

Chicken + Pesto + Mozzarella

Any cooked chicken will work here — and feel free to use your favorite store-bought pesto to make this flavorful cheesy potato

Ground Beef + Taco Seasoning + Toppings

Cook a pound of ground beef with a packet of taco seasoning, load it on top of baked potatoes, and garnish it with your favorite taco fillings. Shredded lettuce, salsa, guacamole, and sliced jalapeños would all be delicious — just think of it as a DIY taco night.

Marinara Sauce + Shredded Mozzarella + Olives

Will it pizza? Yes, yes it will. Olive are just a suggestion here, so go ahead and swap them out for pepperoni, sausage, or any other topping you have on hand. Just think of the potato as the “crust” and go wild.

Cream Cheese + Diced Jalapeños + Crispy Bacon + Shredded Cheddar

If you love jalapeño poppers, you’ll love this riff on the beloved bar snack. While the potato is still hot, add diced cream cheese and stir it into the potato so it gets nice and melty. Top with diced jalapeños, crispy bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese, and you have a spicy spud that’s perfect for dinner.

Ground Beef + Corn + Black Beans + Shredded Cheddar

This Southwestern-style potato gets filled with a well-seasoned mixture of corn, black beans, and ground beef, then topped with melted cheddar cheese. If you don’t have ground beef, you can use ground turkey or chicken or omit it altogether for a vegetarian-friendly version.

9. Parmesan + Artichokes + Spinach

 stuffing your potato with shredded Parmesan cheese, chopped artichoke hearts (canned or frozen work perfect), and chopped spinach. If you don’t have fresh spinach on hand you can thaw frozen spinach, quickly sauté it, and use that instead