Potato boats with cheddar and bacon
- Gluten Free
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 15 min
- Cook time: 1 h 15 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Average
PRESENTATION
Rich cheddar melted over crispy russet skins brings every bite of these potato boats with cheddar and bacon straight to the comfort zone for families. Golden and tender on the inside, these oven-baked potato boats show off a creamy layer with bacon and lots of good sharp cheese flavor. People love how they hold their shape (sturdy enough for any gathering) with just the right amount of crunch at the edges...it’s a DELICIOUS mix of texture and taste. Color looks nice on any table, since you get that toasty top, vibrant garnish (kids love extra cheese, adults like a little green onion), and a cheese pull that’s really fun. Regular twice baked potatoes usually do the trick, but this switched up version adds a LOT of variety—working for birthday dinner nights, neighborhood potlucks, or those big football game spreads, always a family-pleasing dish that disappears fast!
Families often find these boats work for SO many things, whether as hearty family meal sides or even a main if you load them up. Busy days call for recipes everybody can agree on, and baked potato recipes like this one hit all the marks: they’re filling, reliable, and tasty while easily adjustable to suit picky eaters (bacon can switch with turkey or ham, sour cream topping always welcome!). Pile on chives for extra zing or a dollop of sour cream topping if that’s more your style—always satisfying on top of the hot soft middle. Quick tips often include making extra, since these keep well and travel for parties or backyard BBQs. Sometimes you want that great snack for after-school, sometimes it’s just a nice addition to big gatherings. Either way, the way these potato boats with cheddar and bacon turn out keeps them at the front of the delicious side-dish list...they really bring out the best in those classic potato skins, making regular dinners and special occasions feel extra homey and special.
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- INGREDIENTS
- Potatoes 8 - small
- Smoked pancetta 2.5 oz (70 g)
- Parsley 2 spoonfuls - chopped
- Cheddar cheese 4.2 oz (120 g)
- Butter 3 ½ tbsp (50 g)
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
How to prepare Potato boats with cheddar and bacon
To prepare the potato boats with cheddar and bacon, wash the potatoes well under running water 1, dry them and then pierce the skin with the tines of a fork 2 or a toothpick. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper 3 and bake in a preheated oven at 392°F for about an hour.
While the potatoes are cooking, cut the bacon and cheddar into small pieces (4-5) and melt the butter in a small saucepan 6.
When the potatoes are cooked and tender, remove them from the oven and cut them in half, being careful not to break the skin 7. With a teaspoon, scoop out the flesh from the center of the potatoes 8, leaving about a 1/4 inch border. Place the potato boats on the baking sheet and brush the inside with melted butter 9; return them to the oven for 15 minutes until they are well-browned.
Fry the bacon on a hot griddle (or non-stick pan) until it is crispy 10. When the potatoes are nicely golden, remove them from the oven, then salt and pepper them 11 and top with the cheddar pieces 12 and
the crispy bacon 13 and bake them again until the cheese is melted 14. Serve the potato boats with cheddar and bacon right after taking them out of the oven, sprinkling them with chopped parsley 15 or chopped chives as desired!