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An extreme close-up of a fluffy baked potato split open, ready to be filled with savory taco meat and delicious toppings.

Taco Loaded Baked Potatoes: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner

Combine fluffy baked potatoes with savory, perfectly seasoned taco meat and your favorite toppings for a fun, easy, and satisfying weeknight dinner. This is the ultimate guide to making the best taco loaded baked potatoes!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large Russet Potatoes
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Coarse Sea Salt to taste
  • 1 lb Ground Beef 85/15 recommended
  • 1 small Yellow Onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp Taco Seasoning store-bought or homemade
  • 1/2 cup Tomato Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Water or Beef Broth
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar or Mexican Blend Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro

Equipment

  • 1 Baking Sheet
  • 1 Large Skillet

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the potatoes clean and pat them completely dry. Pierce each potato 4-5 times with a fork. Rub them with olive oil and sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for 60-75 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the inside is easily pierced with a fork.
  2. While the potatoes are baking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and water. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  4. Once the potatoes are done, carefully remove them from the oven. Slice them open lengthwise. Fluff the inside of each potato with a fork. Spoon a generous amount of the taco meat filling into each potato. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and your other favorite toppings. Serve immediately.

Notes

Tip 1: For the crispiest skin, do not wrap the potatoes in foil. Baking them directly on the oven rack is key.
Tip 2: Feel free to customize with different proteins like ground turkey or vegetarian crumbles.
Tip 3: Store leftover components separately in the refrigerator for the best results when reheating.