Description
Deliciously comforting Broccoli Cheese Baked Potatoes combine creamy mashed potato filling with tender broccoli and melted cheddar cheese, all baked inside a crispy potato skin. This easy recipe is perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner, packing a flavorful punch with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large Russet potatoes
- Olive oil for rubbing
Filling
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (divided: 1 2/3 cups for filling, 1/3 cup for topping)
- 1 cup boiled broccoli, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the potatoes.
- Prepare Potatoes: Rub each Russet potato with olive oil to crisp the skin during baking. Place them on a baking sheet ready for the oven.
- Bake Potatoes: Bake the potatoes for about 1 hour or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly for handling.
- Prepare Broccoli: While potatoes bake, cut boiled broccoli into small bite-sized pieces to evenly distribute through the filling.
- Scoop Potato Flesh: Cut each baked potato in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick shell to hold the filling.
- Mash Potato Filling: Mash the scooped potato flesh together with butter, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Mix Filling: Fold the chopped broccoli and 1 2/3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese into the mashed potato mixture, combining well to evenly distribute ingredients.
- Stuff Potatoes: Spoon the filling back into the potato shells, filling them generously but without overflowing.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top of each stuffed potato half to create a melted cheese crust.
- Bake Stuffed Potatoes: Return the stuffed potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese topping is fully melted and slightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately while hot and cheesy. Enjoy this comforting meal as a satisfying main or side dish.
Notes
- To soften the broccoli quickly, steam or microwave it before chopping.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with any cheese of your preference like mozzarella or gouda.
- For extra flavor, add chopped chives or green onions to the potato filling.
- Use a fork or potato masher to mash the potato flesh for a smooth, creamy texture.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream or a side salad for a complete meal.
