How to Turn a Simple Baked Potato into a Healthy & Delicious Dinner
Whether you make it a DIY buffet or top them all before serving, stuffed potatoes are an easy dinner the whole family will adore. Our easy formula will help you make a meal out of a simple spud, complete with a healthy protein source, extra veggies, a flavorful sauce and fun garnishes to top it all off. Mix and match your favorite toppings or choose from one of our tasty combos below.
Related: Are Sweet Potatoes Better Than White Potatoes?
The Formula
First, you'll need a baked potato. Learn how to make baked potatoes here, from baking in an oven or "baking" in your air fryer, microwave and more. Once you have your potatoes, top each one with a sauce, vegetables, protein and garnishes and serve while still warm. Check out our favorite ingredients to use below.
Sauce
For the sauce, you'll want to use 1/2 cup per 4 potatoes.
Pesto
Fresh salsa
Barbecue sauce
Simmer sauce
Sour cream
Mayonnaise
Marinara sauce
Hummus
Cheese sauce
Vegetables
For the vegetables, you'll want to add 1-2 cups per 4 potatoes.
Sautéed greens or mushrooms
Sliced avocado or onion
Chopped cooked broccoli or cauliflower
Diced tomatoes or bell peppers
Shredded lettuce
Protein
4 large eggs, cooked as desired
one 15-ounce can beans, rinsed
8 ounces cooked pork or chicken
8 ounces cooked ground beef
4 ounces smoked salmon
4 ounces sliced cooked sausage
Garnish
For the garnishes, you'll want to add 4 teaspoons per 4 potatoes.
Crumbled cooked bacon
Chopped pickled jalape?os
Shredded cheese
Chopped fresh herbs
Chopped olives
Related: Healthy Baked Potato Recipes
The Combos
You could top a potato with just about anything and it'll be delicious. Here are some of our favorite go-to combinations for easy and delicious meals.
Stuffed Sweet Potato with Salsa & Beans
Get the recipe: Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & Beans
Fresh salsa + avocado + pinto beans + pickled jalape?os
Taco night meets baked potato night with these loaded baked potatoes with salsa, beans and avocado. This easy, healthy family dinner comes together with just 10 minutes of active time, so you can make it on even the busiest of weeknights. This recipe is just as delicious with russet potatoes or sweet potatoes.
Related: How to Cook Sweet Potatoes Perfectly
Stuffed Baked Potatoes with Pesto & Eggs
Get the recipe: Stuffed Baked Potatoes with Pesto & Eggs
Pesto + spinach + fried egg + bacon
Top baked potatoes with fried eggs, pesto, spinach and bacon for a loaded baked potato that's perfect for an easy dinner or hearty brunch. Omit the bacon for a vegetarian version that's just as delicious.
Chicken Curry Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Get the recipe: Chicken Curry Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Madras curry sauce + cauliflower + chicken + cilantro
Use convenience ingredients, like cooked chicken (leftover or from the deli section of your grocery store) and store-bought curry sauce to whip up these easy loaded baked potatoes. We call for cauliflower in this recipe, but feel free to sub in whatever veggies you have on hand for a quick and easy dinner. You can also swap the sweet potatoes for russets.
Smoked Salmon Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Get the recipe: Smoked Salmon Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Sour cream + tomato + onion + smoked salmon + chives
Step aside, bacon—these loaded baked potatoes are stuffed with smoked salmon, sour cream and chives for a fresh take on this comfort-food staple, and an easy healthy dinner. This combo would also make for a fun twist on your weekend brunch.
Related: 10 Baked Potato Combinations You Haven't Tried Yet
Cheeseburger Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Get the recipe: Cheeseburger Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Mayonnaise + lettuce + tomato + onion + ground beef + Colby Jack cheese
Skip the bun and serve all of your favorite cheeseburger ingredients—beef, cheese, tomatoes, red onions and lettuce—with baked potatoes for a hearty and easy dinner recipe that kids and adults will love. Feel free to swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or tofu crumbles.
BBQ Baked Potatoes with Pork & Broccoli
Get the recipe: BBQ Baked Potatoes with Pork & Broccoli
Barbecue sauce + broccoli + shredded pork + Cheddar cheese
Use leftover cooked pork, chicken or turkey to whip together these easy BBQ baked potatoes. Add steamed broccoli and Cheddar cheese to round out this easy healthy dinner.
