Easy Baked Potato Bar
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How to Have an Easy Baked Potato Bar
Easy Baked Potato Bar
Do you ever have one of those nights where you just don’t want to make dinner,but you know you need to? I have one of those nights at least once a week! LOL. And the truth is, I love cooking, and I really enjoy entertaining, and making a great meal for my family and friends. But sometimes I just don’t want to have to a put a lot of thought into things. I have been doing some major decluttering, as well as working on my degree, and truthfully, I just don’t want to have to make a complex dinner some nights. I was thinking of this the other night and remembered how I love making an Easy Baked Potato Bar for Dinner! So, in case you have these nights where you don’t want to cook anything complex, I thought I would share my Easy Baked Potato Bar with you!
It is so Easy!
The great thing about making an easy Baked Potato Bar is that it is EASY! You could make things much more complex, but I decided to go easy. Last week in fact, I had a really challenging week. We have been battling colds, I have been cramming for tests and papers with my schoolwork, and then my youngest son had a bad day. My son is 20 and Autistic, and when I say a bad day I mean, bad. He started coughing, fell off the front porch and cracked his head on the cement steps, and we spent the next 4 hours in the hospital with tests, and hydration efforts. Saturday was trying to catch up on everything that had not been completed on Friday, and well, by Sunday, I just wanted Easy!
Easy Baked Potato Bar
So, on the way home from church I stopped at a local BBQ place and picked up a pound of pulled pork. At home I already had large baking potatoes, butter, sour cream, butter (of course!), jalapenos, chopped red onions from my refrigerator salad bar, cans of nacho cheese sauce, cheddar cheese for grating, and canned chili. All separate they are not that impressive but put them all together and you have an amazing Easy Baked Potato Bar.
The Easy Way to Clean Potatoes
In our family, we typically eat the potato skin as well as the baked potato, so I like to start with really clean potatoes. I also like to take the easy way, so I put my potatoes in a big bowl of warm water and let them soak for about ½ hour. When the time is up, the dirt is all loosened and I can easily scrub it off with a scrubber. I like to use a Sponge Daddy Sponge as it really takes the dirt off thoroughly. We have one sponge that we use specifically for veggies. Then rinse.
Soak Potatoes in Water
Next, I put them on a cookie sheet. You will notice my cookie sheet is not photo worthy. In our family we have two categories of cookie sheets. One set for cookies. They are beautiful and photo worthy. And then, the other cookie sheets that have been used for meats, and are old, and yucky. Um, well, those are what I use for potatoes. So, I dried the potatoes off, and then I like to wipe vegetable oil all over the outside of the potato skin. I find that it keeps the outer edge of the potato more moist while cooking. Next I sprinkle them with salt and pepper. I used to also wrap them in foil, but I realized that is not good for the environment, and not necessary, so I no longer do.
Scrub Potatoes with a Clean Sponge
Bake the Potatoes until fluffy!
Finally, I bake them in the oven for one hour at 400. You can start to smell them as they approach doneness, and it is an amazing smell! You can also cook them in the microwave, but I think the texture is far better if you bake them in the oven. Either way, they are finished when you can insert a fork and it releases and comes out easily.
Bake Until Fluffy
You could make a super difficult Baked Potato Bar by making all the toppings from scratch, and truthfully, I have done that in the past. But I also like to make an Easy Baked Potato Bar. So, I pulled out the cans of what I had, heated up some frozen broccoli, and shredded some cheese. Viola! My family was so happy, and it was a warm and hearty dinner on a cold rainy day. It also makes a great dinner when you have unexpected company, or when you have planned company, but want something easy.
Easy Baked Potato Bar
Don’t Stop There, Get Creative!
Now, if you want to venture further, or have additional toppings, I would add chopped bacon, steak, or shredded chicken. I, also, think that salsa, chopped green onions, tomatoes, or even taco meat would be great additions.
Easy Baked Potato Bar
This Easy Baked Potato Bar is perfect for Weeknight Family Meals, Entertaining, or even big Parties.
Ingredients
- 6 Large Baking Potatoes Washed
- 2 TBLS Vegetable Oil
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 15 Ounce Can Nacho Cheese Sauce
- 2 Cans Chili
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1/2 Cube Butter
- 1/4 Red Onion Chopped Or you can use Green Onions
- 1 Pound Pulled Pork, Chopped Beef, or Taco Meat
- 1 Bag Frozen Broccoli
- 1/2 Pound Grated Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Small Jar Jalapenos
Instructions
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Wash and Dry Baked Potatoes. Cover in Vegetable Oil on a Baking Sheet, and Sprinkle with Salt and Pepper.
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Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour, or until fork inserted in potato goes in and out easily. Remove from Oven.
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Heat Cheese Sauce, Chili, and chopped Meat to Temperature. Grate Cheese, and place items in serving bowls or trays.
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Place grated cheese, chopped onions, jalapenos, and butter in small serving dishes.
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Slit Potatoes down the side long ways, and use a fork to fluff the potato. Add desired toppings, or let your family help themselves! Enjoy!
You can also check out additional easy recipes like, Easy Chili Bar, Easy Hot Taco Dip, and Extreme 7 Layer Dip!
What is your favorite go-to meal when your family wants something hot and tasty, but you want easy and fast? And, I would love additional ideas for toppings that you use! Share it in the comments below.
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