Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Featured in Hearty Main Courses.

Craving a fusion dish? Bake potatoes until fluffy. Sauté seasoned ground beef with onions. Prepare a cheesy sauce with Velveeta, pepper jack, and chilies. Slice open the potatoes, load with cheese sauce and taco meat. Top with your favorites like salsa, jalapeños, or sour cream.

Tips: Use Russet or yellow potatoes. Grate your own cheese for a smoother sauce. Get creative with toppings. Prep components ahead for easy meals.

Casey
Updated on Sat, 06 Sep 2025 17:55:01 GMT
A potato with cheese and meat on top. Pin it
A potato with cheese and meat on top. | cookingwithcasey.com

This recipe is my ultimate answer to the question "Tacos or baked potatoes tonight?". Instead of choosing, I decided to combine two of the best comfort foods into one incredible, satisfying meal. It’s a hearty, crowd pleasing dinner that mashes up a fluffy, crispy skinned baked potato with savory taco filling and a decadent, creamy cheese sauce.

I first threw this together on a whim for a football game, and it was an instant hit. Now, it's our go to for a fun and easy weeknight dinner that feels like a special treat.

Ingredients

  • Two medium yellow potatoes: Their slightly waxy texture holds its shape well, but Russets are a classic choice for their super fluffy interior
  • Olive oil: Just a couple of tablespoons to help the skins get deliciously crispy in the oven
  • Salt and pepper: Coarsely cracked salt and fresh pepper give the potato skin its own wonderful flavor
  • One pound ground beef: An 80 20 blend provides the perfect amount of fat for a juicy, flavorful filling
  • One small onion: This is the foundation of our flavor base, adding a subtle sweetness when cooked down
  • One packet taco seasoning: Use your favorite store bought packet or a homemade blend for that classic taco taste
  • Velveeta cheese: Cubed for easy melting, this is the secret to an unbelievably smooth and creamy cheese sauce that never breaks
  • Shredded pepper jack cheese: This adds a little kick and a lovely cheese pull to the sauce
  • Diced green chilies: A small can adds a mild, tangy heat that cuts through the richness of the cheese
  • Evaporated milk: This helps create a silky smooth sauce without watering it down like regular milk might

Step by Step Instructions

Prepare and Bake the Potatoes:
First, get your oven preheating to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Give your potatoes a good scrub under running water and pat them completely dry. Using a fork, poke holes all over each potato, about 8 to 10 times. This allows steam to escape while baking, preventing them from bursting and helping the inside cook up fluffy. Rub them all over with olive oil and then generously sprinkle with salt and pepper. Don't be shy here, this is what makes the skins so good you'll want to eat every last bite. Place them on a foil lined baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes. You'll know they're ready when you can easily pierce the center with a fork.
Brown the Taco Meat:
While the potatoes are in the oven, it's time to make the filling. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion together over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the beef into small crumbles as it cooks. Continue cooking for about 8 minutes, or until the beef is fully browned and the onions are soft and translucent. Tilt the skillet carefully and spoon out any excess grease. This step is key to avoiding a greasy final dish.
Simmer the Filling:
Sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the cooked beef and stir it all together. Pour in the water and give it a good mix to create the sauce. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. This gives the flavors time to meld and allows the sauce to thicken up perfectly, clinging to every piece of meat.
Create the Silky Cheese Sauce:
In a separate small saucepan, combine the cubed Velveeta, shredded pepper jack, diced green chilies, and evaporated milk. Set the heat to medium low. It's important to keep the heat low to prevent the cheese from scorching. Stir constantly with a whisk or rubber spatula until all the cheese has melted into a completely smooth, velvety sauce. This should only take a few minutes.
Crisp the Skins and Assemble:
Once the potatoes are tender, switch the oven from bake to a low broil. This is my secret for getting irresistibly crispy, restaurant style skins. Broil the potatoes for about 15 minutes, flipping them over once halfway through. Keep a close eye on them so they don't burn. Carefully remove the hot potatoes from the oven. Slice them open lengthwise, then use a fork to fluff up the steamy insides. Spoon a generous amount of the warm cheese sauce over the fluffy potato, then pile on the taco meat and finish with all of your favorite toppings. Serve immediately while everything is hot.
A plate of potatoes with cheese and chives. Pin it
A plate of potatoes with cheese and chives. | cookingwithcasey.com

My favorite part of this whole recipe has to be the cheese sauce. There's something so nostalgic and comforting about smooth, melted Velveeta. Combining it with the spicy pepper jack and tangy green chilies takes it to a whole new level, and it brings back memories of making nachos with my mom as a kid.

Storing and Reheating

For the best results, store all the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The taco meat and cheese sauce will last for up to four days. To reheat, simply microwave the meat and sauce in short bursts until warm. You can reheat the potato in the oven or air fryer to bring back some of its crispiness.

Delicious Ingredient Swaps

Don't feel locked into using ground beef. This recipe is fantastic with ground turkey, shredded chicken, or even a plant based crumble. For a vegetarian version, a mix of black beans and corn makes a wonderful filling. You can also play with the cheeses. A sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack blend would be a great substitute in the sauce.

How to Serve a Crowd

This recipe is perfect for turning into a "Taco Potato Bar." Bake a big batch of potatoes and keep them warm in a slow cooker. Set out the warm taco meat, cheese sauce, and a wide array of toppings in separate bowls. Guests will love customizing their own creations. Think outside the box with toppings like pickled red onions, fresh salsa, guacamole, and crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What kind of potatoes work best for stuffing?

Russet or yellow potatoes are ideal because of their fluffy texture after baking. Be sure to scrub them well before baking!

→ How can I make the cheese sauce extra smooth?

Grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded. This helps it melt more evenly. Also, use low heat and stir frequently to prevent clumping.

→ Can I substitute the ground beef with something else?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even black beans make excellent lighter alternatives for the taco meat filling.

→ What are some creative topping ideas for these potatoes?

Get creative! Salsa, fresh jalapeños, radishes, guacamole, and different cheeses all work wonderfully. A taco potato bar is a great idea for parties!

→ Can I prepare any of this in advance?

Yes! You can prep all the components ahead for easy weekday meals. Store the taco meat and cheese sauce separately for best results and re-heat before serving.

→ How do I get the potato skins crispy?

After baking, switch the oven to a low broil for the last 15 minutes, turning once. This will give you extra crispy potato skins.

Taco Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes with taco seasoned meat and cheese. A comforting meal customizable with your favorite toppings.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
60 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes
By: Casey

Category: Hearty Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mexican-American

Yield: 2 Servings (2 large potatoes)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ For the Baked Potatoes

01 2 medium yellow or Russet potatoes
02 30 ml olive oil
03 Freshly ground salt, to taste
04 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ For the Seasoned Beef Filling

05 450 grams lean ground beef (80/20)
06 1 small onion, finely diced
07 1 packet (approx. 30g) taco seasoning blend, or homemade
08 120 ml water

→ For the Creamy Cheese Sauce

09 225 grams Velveeta processed cheese, cubed
10 60 grams shredded Pepper Jack cheese
11 115 grams diced green chilies (canned)
12 60 ml evaporated milk

→ Suggested Toppings

13 Shredded cheese
14 Diced fresh tomatoes
15 Sliced fresh jalapeños
16 Sour cream
17 Fresh cilantro, chopped
18 Hot sauce

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Thoroughly wash the potatoes and prick them all over with a fork. Rub each potato with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. Arrange the prepared potatoes on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Step 02

Bake the potatoes for approximately 45 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. This step ensures a fluffy interior.

Step 03

While the potatoes are baking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Crumble the beef as it cooks, stirring until it is thoroughly browned, which should take about 8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.

Step 04

Stir the taco seasoning blend and water into the cooked beef mixture. Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce has visibly thickened.

Step 05

In a separate saucepan, combine the cubed Velveeta, shredded Pepper Jack cheese, diced green chilies, and evaporated milk. Cook this mixture over medium-low heat, stirring continuously, until all the cheese has melted into a smooth and creamy sauce.

Step 06

Once the potatoes are tender, switch your oven setting to a low broil. Return the baked potatoes to the oven and broil for an additional 15 minutes, carefully turning them once halfway through, to achieve extra crispy skins.

Step 07

Carefully slice each baked potato open lengthwise and use a fork to fluff the soft interior. Spoon a generous amount of the creamy cheese sauce onto each potato, then pile on the seasoned taco beef. Finish by adding your favorite toppings. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  1. For the best texture, opt for Russet or yellow potatoes. Ensure thorough scrubbing of the skins if planning to eat them.
  2. Achieve a smoother cheese sauce by grating your own cheese. Always use low heat and stir frequently to prevent clumping. Feel free to substitute with cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese if preferred.
  3. Explore variations for the taco meat: ground turkey, chicken, or black beans can be used for a lighter alternative. Leftover taco meat freezes well for future meals.
  4. Embrace creativity with toppings: salsa, fresh radishes, guacamole, or different cheeses are excellent additions. Consider setting up a 'taco potato bar' for entertaining.
  5. To streamline weekday meals, prepare all components in advance. Store the taco meat and cheese sauce separately for optimal freshness.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil
  • Large skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Fork
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 900
  • Total Fat: 50 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 70 g
  • Protein: 45 g