The baked potatoes cut in half, baked in the oven and then tossed with bacon, broccoli & homemade cheese sauce. A super easy family favorite on your table in 30 minutes.
Loaded Baked Potatoes are very popular in our house. I mean, who doesn’t love bacon, broccoli, and cheese stuffed with baked potatoes? It’s a gorgeous combination that we just can’t get enough of. It’s also a easy dinner option to feed the family or to feed a crowd. I would like to know if there is a person out there who hasn’t had one Baked Potato Bars at a family reunion, girls’ camp, Boy Scout camp, church function, etc. You get the point! Baked potatoes cheesy just make people happy!
What do I need to make baked potatoes?
One of the best things about baked potatoes is that they’re only 4 ingredients and they’re fail-safe! What you need for the potatoes:
- Red potatoes – wash well and cut in half
- Olive oil – rub it over the potatoes, this will help them get that nice and crispy
- Salt and Pepper – adds flavor
Ingredients for homemade cheese sauce
You won’t believe how easy it is to make cheese sauce at home. The ingredients for the base sauce are most likely things you already have at home, and what you add is entirely up to you…although broccoli and bacon make a dream pairing with this cheese sauce! Here’s what you need:
- Whole milk – it must be whole milk, do not use any other type of milk
- Butter – unsalted, adds flavor and richness
- Flour – just about anything works great
- Spicy Cheddar Cheese – Spicy cheddar adds that bold cheese flavor that shines in this sauce
- Hot Sauce – adds just a touch of spiciness and flavor you won’t want to miss
- Cayenne Pepper – Feel free to add more if you’d like the cheese to be spicier
- Broccoli – steamed and cut into very small pieces
- Bacon – cooked crispy and cut into small pieces
- Salt and Pepper – Add flavor
The measurements for each ingredient and instructions on how to prepare this recipe are all included in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Which potatoes are best for baking?
Starch potatoes like russet and sweet potatoes are best for baking or roasting. They work best for the dry heat of an oven and have a fluffy center after baking.
Higher moisture potatoes like red potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes thrive better with moist heat, which you get when you steam or boil potatoes.
What kind of cheese do you use in cheese sauce?
We use sharp cheddar in this recipe, but feel free to use any cheese you love. Gouda, Swiss, Provolone, Pepper Jack cheese all work well in cheese sauce.
How to make baked potatoes
That’s not your typical baked potato recipe. We have a post on how to make a traditional baked potato, so head there if that’s what you’re looking for. For this recipe we will cut the potatoes in half, place them face down and bake them like this. This speeds up the baking time and makes the front extra crispy. You just want to coat the halved potatoes with olive oil on all sides and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
How to make homemade cheese sauce
While the potatoes are baking, prepare the cheese sauce. Making cheese sauce at home is not difficult. It’s actually one of the easiest and quickest little recipes out there. There is no excuse to buy something out of a can or a jar. Homemade Cheese Sauce, made with real sharp cheddar cheese, milk, flour and butter is the only way. Plus, it tastes better than anything you get in the supermarket.
After the base sauce is prepared, we load it up with finely chopped broccoli and crumbled bacon.
The only thing left to do is spoon it over your baked potatoes while it’s still hot!
Other toppings for baked potatoes
If cheese sauce, broccoli, and bacon aren’t enough for you, here are a few more topping ideas:
- Diced red onions
- jalapenos
- sour cream
- spring onions
- avocado
- salsa
- chives
- ranch
What do you eat with fried potatoes?
These are hearty and filling enough to serve as a main course, but you can also serve them with grilled chicken or steak for added protein. They’re a great side dish for almost any protein, whether it’s on the grill, smoker, or slow cooker.
How long do baked potatoes keep?
The potato and cheese sauce tastes best immediately after preparation when it is nice and hot. But this cheese sauce and baked potatoes keep well sealed in the fridge for about 1 week. I would store them separately and top the potatoes with the loaded cheese sauce right before serving. Just reheat both before serving – it’s a great thing to prep before guests arrive.
Potatoes are delicious in every way (imho). If you know me at all, you know my favorite food is hot and salty french fries. There is simply nothing better! The baked potato recipe is another crazy way to eat potatoes and you won’t believe how delicious it is homemade cheese sauce Is!
More irresistible potato recipes
Loaded baked potatoes with homemade cheese sauce
Servings: 6
The baked potatoes cut in half, baked in the oven and then tossed with bacon, broccoli & homemade cheese sauce. A super easy family favorite on your table in 30 minutes.
For the potatoes:
- 6 red potatoes medium size
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper
For the loaded cheese sauce:
- 2 cups whole milk no substitutions
- 1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter
- 1/4 Cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese shredded (not pre-shredded)
- 2 tablespoon Hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/4 cups broccoli florets steamed and chopped into very small pieces and then measured
- 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- salt and pepper taste good
Preparing the potatoes:
-
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Wash and wash the potatoes and cut in half lengthways. This will help speed up the baking time.
6 red potatoes
-
Rub the potatoes with olive oil on both sides and sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides.
2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper
-
Place face down on the prepared baking sheet.
-
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Preparation of the cheese sauce:
-
In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium-high heat until bubbles form on top.
2 cups whole milk
-
Meanwhile, melt the butter in another saucepan over medium heat.
1/4 cup unsalted butter
-
Sprinkle the flour on top, stirring constantly, until a thick paste forms, 1 to 2 minutes.
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
-
Slowly pour the warm milk into the flour and butter paste in a steady stream, stirring constantly.
-
Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. It should be thick but still pourable.
-
Add the cheese, stirring constantly until melted.
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
-
Add the hot sauce and cayenne pepper.
2 tablespoons hot sauce, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
-
Stir in broccoli and bacon.
1 1/4 cups broccoli florets, 4 slices of bacon
-
Taste, then season with salt and pepper.
salt and pepper
-
Add more cayenne pepper and/or hot sauce, if desired.
-
If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little more milk until you get the consistency you want.
-
Pour hot cheese sauce over baked potatoes and serve immediately.
The potato and cheese sauce tastes best immediately after preparation when it is nice and hot. But this cheese sauce and baked potatoes will keep well covered in the fridge for about 1 week. Just warm it up before serving – it’s a great thing to prep before guests arrive.
nutritional information
Loaded baked potatoes with homemade cheese sauce
Amount Per Serving (1g)
calories 568
Calories of Fat 306
% Daily Value*
Fat 34g52%
Saturated Fat 16g100%
Trans Fatty Acids 0.3 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 11g
cholesterol 77mg26%
sodium 507mg22%
potassium 1149mg33%
carbohydrates 49g16%
fiber 4g17%
sugar 6 gr7%
protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 1017IE20%
vitamin C 33mg40%
calcium 408mg41%
iron 2mg11%
*Percent Daily Values ​​are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
