15 Ways To Upgrade Baked Potato Night
Are you looking for an easy weeknight dinner? Then look no further than the humble potato. While the classic baked potato is often served as a side dish alongside a juicy steak, the fact is it can be a meal in itself.
Baked potatoes make an excellent weeknight dinner because they are easy to make and filling. According to Healthline, potatoes, which are mostly carbohydrates, are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. But potatoes tend to have a bad reputation as a high-calorie food mostly because they are usually fried in oil, helping add extra calories and unhealthy fats.
Fear not, however, as baking potatoes is one of the healthiest ways to prepare this root vegetable. Of course, the classic baked potato filled with butter and sour cream isn't the healthiest dinner, but there are lots of ways to take the classic baked potato and remake it with add-ins and toppings. Baked potatoes are like a blank canvas; you can paint them with all kinds of flavors and textures. So why not upgrade baked potato night and try new ways to remake an old classic? Set up a baked potato bar and let everyone choose their fillings. It'll make dinnertime easy for everyone, especially picky kids.
Here are the best ways to upgrade your next baked potato night.
1. Go Tex-Mex
Take your baked potato south of the border and make a Tex-Mex-inspired spud. Classic Tex-Mex ingredients like beans, beef, cheese, and salsa are the perfect filling for a fluffy baked potato. Deconstruct your favorite tacos and burritos and use those tasty staples to create a new Tex- Mex treat.
When it comes to protein, you can go with the classic American take on tacos and use ground beef or shredded chicken. Or you can try something new like barbacoa. Barbacoa referrs to meat that has been slowly roasted over the fire but you can make it at home in a slow cooker. Traditionally in Mexico, it's made with lamb or beef, though in South Texas, authentic barbacoa is made with the meat from the cow's head, per Texas Monthly. If that doesn't sound appetizing, another Mexican meat, birria, is a tasty option. Birria can be made from any meat marinated in adobe and spices, and you can be sure it will perk up a baked potato.
Top your Tex-Mex baked potato with pickled onions and a handful of queso fresco, and serve it with sour cream and salsa. This tasty dish will make you forget all about Taco Tuesday.
2. Get cheesy with it
Whoever invented the four-cheese pizza is a genius because, honestly, what's better than one cheese? Well, it's four kinds of cheese. And if it works for pizza, it will definitely work for a baked potato. Make baked potato night cheesy and add in four of your favorite cheeses for a creamy, ooey, gooey take on the classic baked potato.
Cheddar cheese is a good cheese to start with for your baked potato. The cheese ranges from mild to sharp with many different varieties, including a unique blue cheese cheddar combination (via Wisconsin Cheese). It's important that you choose cheeses that complement each other and that melt well. Cheeses like gouda, mozzarella, Swiss, Monterrey Jack, and Manchego are all excellent choices. Sprinkle some grated Parmigiano Reggiano for a nutty finish to your potato. Just make sure to grate your own cheese because store-bought pre-grated cheese has additives and fillers to keep it from sticking together and creating clumps in the bag, per The Washington Post. Plus, according to Bloomberg, some pre-grated cheese has cellulose or wood filler added.
3. Bacon makes everything better
Of course you've heard before that bacon makes everything better, and that's because it's true. According to NPR, the science backs up this claim as the smoky, salty meat is an excellent addition to popular foods. Add some slices to a hamburger or sandwich, wrap slices around a chicken breast, chop it up and sprinkle on salad, or add it to a pile of spicy nachos and it always delivers on its promise to make every dish better. So it's no surprise that it can transform a boring baked potato into a starring dish.
When you think of bacon, you probably picture long strips of marbled pork belly, also known as the traditional American bacon that you find at any diner. But there are different types of bacon that you should try adding to your baked potato. Pancetta is an Italian-style bacon that is dry-cured and adds a saltiness but without the smokiness of regular bacon. Canadian bacon, or as they call it in Canada, bacon, is closer to ham than bacon and is excellent mixed in a baked potato.
If you prefer non-pork bacon, turkey bacon tastes great and has fewer calories and less fat than regular bacon, per Healthline. Tofu bacon is a good plant-based bacon that uses liquid smoke to get that smoky bacon flavor without the presence of meat.
4. Take it on a picnic
Classic picnic foods make an excellent addition to baked potatoes. The popular picnic salad coleslaw adds a nice crunch to a soft potato. Creamy coleslaws made with mayo are an easy mix in, and the crunch of the cabbage is a great contrast. Or opt for a vinegar-based coleslaw, which will perk up the flavors with a slight tanginess. But don't stop there. Instead, top that tater with spicy pulled pork, the classic coleslaw accompaniment. If spice is too much for you, try pulled pork with a smoky barbecue sauce instead.
Other picnic favorites like egg salad and macaroni salad add something new to a baked potato. You can even add ingredients like hard-boiled eggs, pickles, and relish that traditionally go in a classic potato salad and make a deconstructed potato salad within your baked potato.
If you plan to take your baked potato to a picnic, make sure to wrap it in foil to keep it warm, and add any toppings right before eating to keep everything as fresh as possible.
5. Bake them again
Baked potatoes are easy to make as you just bake them in the oven, and in an hour, you have a meal. But have you ever tried baking them again? Twice-baked potatoes are baked potatoes that have been baked once, and the fluffy white insides are removed and mashed with other goodies like cheese, vegetables, and/or meats and then added back to the potato and baked a second time. Simply put, twice-baked potatoes are twice as good as regular baked potatoes. You get all of the texture and mouthfeel of mashed potatoes but with extra texture from the added fillings.
Classic baked potato toppings like butter, sour cream, and green onions are excellent choices in twice-baked potatoes. But adding other sources of creaminess like Mexican crema, Greek yogurt, or cream cheese adds another layer of richness to these spuds. For some added texture, you can sprinkle bacon bits or toasted sunflower seeds on top to create a crunchy, creamy contrast.
6. Add some Italian flare
Who doesn't love Italian food? Pasta, pizza, and focaccia are some of the most popular Italian foods, and marinara, mozzarella, and mortadella make mouths water. So why not add some of these delicious Italian flavors to a basic baked potato? Add a little red sauce to a potato and mix in some pepperoni, salami, prosciutto, or soppressata. Additionally, you can some creamy chunks of buffalo mozzarella or salty Pecorino Romano or grate some nutty Parmigiano Reggiano and turn baked potato night into Italian night.
Give your baked potato some authentic Italian flavor with a Sicilian caponata. Caponata is an Italian relish made with eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and spices. A touch of anchovy paste or a small anchovy filet gives it some saltiness, and pine nuts provide extra texture and crunch. It's usually served with pieces of crusty white bread but try spooning some on a baked potato instead. The combination adds a tangy sweetness to a basic baked potato. If anchovies make you cringe, swap those out for capers to keep the salty component that makes caponata uniquely Italian.
7. Go green with pesto and veggies
French fries, potato chips, mashed potatoes, and cheesy scalloped potatoes are decadent ways to prepare potatoes. But potatoes don't have to be greasy and covered in cheese to be delicious. Instead, think green and toss some healthy veggies like steamed broccoli, sweet peppers, and greens into your potato. Sauté mushrooms and caramelize some onions to add a touch of umami and sweeten up your baked potato. Roasted zucchini and eggplant add a nice touch, too. Finally, you can grate some carrots for color or add in some corn or peas for texture.
For even more pizzaz, add in some bright green pesto for a flavorful punch up. Classic Genovese pesto made with basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and pine nuts adds a little extra something to those veggies. If you aren't a fan of classic pesto, don't let that stop you from adding it to your potato. There are many different types of pesto, from pistachio lemon to Mexican-inspired pepita and cilantro to a roasted red pepper and ricotta pesto Calabrese. Simply put, there is a pesto for every palate.
8. Make it international
Take your baked potato on a trip around the world by adding some international touches to your basic Idaho spud. Korean kimchi adds an intense flavor, plus a little texture to your potato. If spicy is your thing, go Gochujang with this red Korean paste that brightens up whatever it touches.
Open up your baked potato to the wonderful world of curry with an India-themed baked potato. There are many different types of curries, from spicy red to mild yellow to extra hot green. Curry adds a unique complexity to a standard baked potato. Chutney, another Indian cuisine item, is made with a combination of fruits, vegetables, spices, and vinegar and can add something special to your ordinary spud.
The Middle Eastern dip known as hummus, which is made with garbanzo beans, gives your potato some much-needed protein and baba ghanoush, made with roasted eggplant, is an excellent addition to the texture of a baked potato. Or keep it creamy by adding Greek tzatziki or taramasalata — a type of roe.
Have fun traveling the world of flavors with an international baked potato night.
9. Top it with a dip
The soft cooked insides of a baked potato mix well with other creamy foods like a dip. The classic spinach artichoke dip has a ton of flavor and is the perfect match for a baked potato. The artichokes offer the tangy freshness that characterizes the dip, and the spinach provides a rich umami depth while the Parmesan ties the whole thing together. Now mix that with the soft insides of a baked potato, and you have a double dip. Eat it with tortilla or pita chips, or just grab a spoon. Either way, it's delicious.
Bean dips are not just for nacho night. Beans add some protein to carb-heavy potatoes, which help round out the nutritional profile of the dinner option. Refried beans keep a smooth texture, and black bean dip paired with smoked paprika and chipotle chilis add a robust flavor to your baked potato. If you like your bean dip on the sweeter side, blend some baked beans for a tasty topping.
10. Stack on beef and blue cheese
For many, turning a simple baked potato into a hearty meal requires beef. It is just a side without the beef, so beef up your baked potato with this all-American favorite protein.
Ground beef is easy to add for a deconstructed hamburger-inspired baked potato. Or go for more sophisticated flavors with chunks of grilled steak and crumbled pieces of blue cheese. The salty, pungent blue cheese stands up to the richness of a meaty steak for a match made in heaven. Flank steak or skirt steak are both excellent choices for grilling, and it really depends on how you like your steak cooked. The Online Grill recommends flank steak for those who like their steak medium to well and skirt steak for rare to medium rare since it's a tougher piece of meat.
A more economical choice for those watching their budget is shredded beef. Throw a round roast in your slow cooker for the day and shred it to add some beefiness to your baked potato.
11. Add an Asian twist
Since baked potatoes are a fairly neutral canvas, you can mix in some stronger flavors and spices. Spices and seasonings popular in Asian cuisines, like ginger, lemongrass, and turmeric, are good additions to a baked potato. Japanese furikake seasoning is made with nori flakes, sesame seeds, dried fish, and herbs and is a popular flavor enhancer. Furikake is usually used to bring bland white rice some flavor, and it can work on rice's carb cousin, the starchy potato.
Make a sushi-inspired baked potato with classic sushi ingredients like tuna, seaweed, and salmon. It's important that you are careful when buying fish for sushi, and are sure to purchase it from a reputable source. Sushi-grade fish means that it was frozen and handled properly to be consumed raw, but the FDA doesn't have any guidelines for sushi-grade fish, and it's up to the seller to determine, so finding a trustworthy fishmonger is important (via Webstaurant Store).
Top your sushi-inspired baked potato with spicy Sriracha sauce, or douse it with a salty umami staple like soy sauce.
12. Give a poutine makeover
Have you ever had a wild night out in Canada and finished the evening stuffing French fries covered in cheese curds and gravy in your mouth while the sun comes up? Then you know what poutine is all about. For those that are new to this indulgent late-night Canadian staple, poutine is a popular food that doesn't make sense to many, but for those up north, it's a tradition to eat a pile of salty French fries covered in thick gravy with a cheese curd topping.
French fries are just another form of potato, so if this creative combination of flavors and textures works on fries, it will work with a baked potato, too.
Cheese curds are like a drier form of cottage cheese. They are small, firm pieces of soured milk that are a bit rubbery and make a squeaking noise when rubbed on your teeth. The salty taste and unique texture make them one of those foods that you either love or hate, but they are the key to good poutine.
And then there is the gravy. Poutine gravy is a little different than the gravy you pour on your mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving. Poutine gravy has more acid from the vinegar and a touch of sweetness from ketchup, making it more complex than regular brown gravy. Try these classic Canadian flavors to upgrade your baked potato.
13. Give it a breakfast spin
You eat hashbrowns for breakfast, so why not a baked potato? A baked potato may not seem like breakfast food, but if you top it with some yummy breakfast favorites, you have yourself a breakfast baked potato. No, we aren't suggesting you dump your Raisin Bran or Frosted Flakes onto your beloved baked potato. Instead, think savory breakfast foods like eggs.
Eggs are similar to potatoes in that you can cook them in many different ways, and they are always good. Try some simple scrambled eggs mixed into your baked potato. Or add an egg over medium that will ooze yellow yolk into your potato. Or if you are feeling fancy, top your baked potato with poached eggs, Canadian bacon, and Hollandaise sauce for a new take on classic eggs Benedict.
Eggs aren't the only breakfast food you can top your baked potato with, though. For instance, replace fluffy biscuits with your potato and bring on the sausage gravy for a biscuit and gravy-inspired breakfast.
14. Go Mediterranean
Following the Mediterranean diet is an excellent way to take charge of your health. It's no surprise a Mediterranean diet is considered healthy with its emphasis on fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish, and olive oil. It covers all of the nutritional bases, so adding some classic Mediterranean flavors to your baked potato is an excellent way to get more nutritious foods in your diet.
Start assembling a healthy baked potato by swapping out the butter for olive oil or an herb-infused marinade. Then mix in some tangy green olives and marinated artichokes to add some much needed zestiness. Fresh tomatoes add a bright, fresh flavor, and a squeeze of lemon is the acid that pulls it all together. Mix in some lean protein with tinned tuna or sardines to help balance it all out. Finally, top your Mediterranean baked potato with chunks of Feta cheese, and you have turned your basic American baked potato into a healthy and tasty meal.
15. Turn your potato into a chili dog
Hot dogs are an American favorite when you want a filling and inexpensive meal. Somewhere along the way, someone somewhere decided to pour a Texas chili over a steaming dog, and the chili dog was born. Nobody knows exactly who first decided to cover the classic hotdog in chili, so it's difficult to know who to thank for this unexpected tasty combination.
Try remaking the classic chili dog with your baked potato. Just ditch the bun and place your dog into the potato and cover with a generous amount of chili and cheddar cheese.
When making a baked potato chili dog, the first thing you need to do is decide what side of the chili debate you are on. The great chili debate centers around beans, as some argue that beans don't belong in chili, while others state that beans are what make it chili, so choose which camp you are in and choose the appropriate chili (via Slate).
Next, you need to choose your hot dog. These days hot dogs go beyond the classic beef and pork, and you can find chicken and turkey dogs and even plant-based tofu dogs to add to your baked potato chili dog. Now that you have chosen the right chili and the right hot dog, it's time to assemble your baked potato chili dog.
Elevate your baked potato with a splash of hot sauce and sprinkle some raw onions for the ultimate baked potato chili dog.