Ultimate Twice-Baked Potatoes
The buttery, creamy indulgence of mashed potatoes meets the joy of digging into a baked potato in this iconic side dish: crispy potato skins are filled with soft whipped potato mixed with cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, butter, Tabasco, and herbs, topped with more cheese, and baked until golden brown and bubbly. It’s the perfect accompaniment to game day wings, chili, or pulled pork.
SERVES 4
INGREDIENTS
4 russet potatoes (about 2½ lb.), scrubbed
1 cup grated aged cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
½ cup sour cream
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
2 tbsp. finely chopped chives
1 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
¼ tsp. Tabasco hot sauce
¼ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
8 slices cooked bacon, cut into ¼” strips
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¼ tsp. paprika
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat oven to 450°. Put potatoes on a baking sheet and bake, turning occasionally, until tender, about 1 hour. Transfer to a rack and let cool slightly.
Halve potatoes lengthwise and scoop out insides with a spoon into a medium bowl, leaving ¼” of the outer layer of flesh and skin behind; transfer empty potato halves to a baking sheet. Combine scooped potato insides, ½ cup each cheddar and Gruyère, and sour cream, butter, chives, parsley, Tabasco, Worcestershire, and bacon and season with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into potato halves and sprinkle with remaining cheese and paprika.
Bake until cheese is browned and bubbly, about 10 minutes.