Cheddar Ranch Twice-Baked Potatoes are a delightful combination of flavors and textures, the creamy and fluffy filling is perfectly complemented by the crispy and cheesy top layer. The ranch dressing adds a tangy and zesty flavor, while the sour cream provides a rich and creamy texture to this easy potato side dish.
![twice baked potatoes with Ranch dressing and cheddar cheese](https://butterwithasideofbread.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Cheddar-Ranch-Twice-Baked-Potatoes-with-Bacon-2.jpg)
The best twice baked potatoes make a great appetizer or side dish that can be enjoyed for any occasion. This dish is easy to prepare and can be customized to suit individual preferences. The combination of flavors and textures is well-balanced, cheesy baked potatoes are sure to become a favorite in your family!
Potatoes with Twice the Love!
When it comes to making delicious side dishes, potatoes are a staple ingredient that can be prepared in many ways. Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes is a dish that is sure to please everyone at the dinner table. With a few simple ingredients and some love, you can make these potatoes the star of your meal.
We love these Ranch twice baked potatoes, but did you know that they are actually a variation on our popular Alfredo Twice Baked Potatoes? It’s true! We took a recipe we had on the site and changed it up a bit, the results speak for themselves. We are sure you will love these potatoes just as much as we have, and we can’t wait to hear about it!
Why you’ll love these Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes
- Minimal ingredients. You don’t need much to pull this recipe together, but you will be happy to know that the ingredients needed are all very simple and basic. Just grab some potatoes, ranch dressing, and cheese, and you have got most of what is needed.
- Simple recipe steps. This recipe is very easy to follow, and most of the time spent on this recipe is simply waiting for the potatoes to cook! After that, it is just a little slice, scoop, mix, and baking.
- Perfect for any occasion. Serve these twice baked potatoes as a simple dinner side dish alongside your favorite main dishes, or serve them up as an appetizer. They also make a great recipe to serve up at tailgate parties, so prep them in advance and enjoy them during the game.
Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes Ingredients
Potatoes: You will need 4 medium-sized Russet potatoes. This will make 8 halves of potatoes, which should be plenty for a few appetizers or a simple side dish.
Ranch: Use ⅓ cup of ranch dressing for delicious flavor and a nice consistency too.
Garlic powder: Adding 1 teaspoon of garlic powder gives the dish a wonderful earthy taste.
Sour cream: For a rich flavor and creamy texture, use ¼ cup of sour cream.
Cheddar cheese: You need 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, divided, for more amazing taste.
How to Make Cheddar Ranch Twice Baked Potatoes
Prep
Get started by preheating the oven to 375 degrees F.
Next scrub and dry the skin of the potatoes, then pierce the skin at least 3 or 4 times with a knife or fork. Put them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake
Now place the potatoes in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour. The internal temperature of the potatoes should reach 200 degrees F.
After they are baked, remove the potatoes from the oven and slice each one in half horizontally.
Keep the oven on, they do require baking again. After all, they are TWICE baked potatoes!
Make Filling
Next scoop the centers out of the potato skins using a spoon and place the meat of the potato into a medium-sized bowl. Be sure to leave a small edge of potato around the skins so it is sturdy enough to create the bowl you will be filling.
In the bowl with the potato chunks, add the ranch dressing, garlic powder, sour cream, and half of the cheddar cheese. Mash the potatoes and mix all the ingredients together until fully combined.
Assemble
Proceed to scoop the potato mixture and fill up the potato skins. Fill them all up, equally dividing the filling between the 8 halves. After that, sprinkle the tops with the remaining cheese.
Bake (again)
Place the potatoes back on the baking sheet and put them back into the oven for another 5-6 minutes or until the cheese on top has melted completely.
If desired, top with bacon bits and chives, serve immediately, and enjoy!
![twice baked potatoes with Ranch dressing and cheddar cheese](https://butterwithasideofbread.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Cheddar-Ranch-Twice-Baked-Potatoes-with-Bacon-2.jpg)
Variations of this Potato Recipe
There are many ways to customize this recipe to suit your taste buds or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:
- Bacon and Green Onion: For a savory twist, add 4 slices of cooked and crumbled bacon and 2 chopped green onions to the potato mixture before baking. The smoky bacon and fresh green onion add a burst of flavor to the dish.
- Jalapeño and Pepper Jack: If you like a bit of heat, try adding 2 diced jalapeños and 1 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese to the potato mixture. The spicy jalapeños and tangy cheese create a perfect balance of flavors.
- Mushroom and Swiss: For a vegetarian option, add 1 cup of sautéed mushrooms and 1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese to the potato mixture. The earthy mushrooms and nutty Swiss cheese make the dish hearty and satisfying.
CHEDDAR RANCH TWICE BAKED POTATOES
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes
- ⅓ cup Ranch dressing
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Scrub and dry the skin of the potatoes, then pierce the skin at least 3 or 4 times with a knife or fork. Put them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Bake your potatoes in the oven for about 1 hour. The internal temperature of the potatoes should reach 200 degrees F. Remove the potatoes from the oven and slice each one in half horizontally. Keep the oven on, they do require baking again. After all, they are TWICE baked potatoes.
- Make filling: Scoop the centers out of the potato skins and place the meat of the potato into a medium-sized bowl. Be sure to leave a small edge of potato around the skins to it is sturdy enough to create the bowl you will be filling. In the bowl with the potato chunks, add the ranch dressing, garlic powder, sour cream, and half of the cheddar cheese to your potatoes. Mash the potatoes and mix all the ingredients together until fully combined.
- Assemble: Scoop the potato mixture and fill up the potato skins. Fill them all up, equally dividing the filling between the 8 halves. Then sprinkle the tops with the remaining cheese.
- Bake (again): Place the potatoes back into the oven for another 5-6 minutes or until the cheese on top has melted completely. If desired, top with bacon bits and chives, serve immediately, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Tips for Perfecting the Potato Skins
To ensure that the potato skin is perfect, make sure to scrub the potatoes thoroughly before baking them. This will remove any dirt or debris that may be on the skin. Additionally, you can rub the potatoes with olive oil before baking them to make the skin crispy and delicious. Once the potatoes are baked, let them cool for a few minutes before slicing them in half. This will prevent the skin from tearing or breaking.
How long are twice baked potatoes good for?
These potatoes are best enjoyed straight out of the oven, but you can keep the leftovers on hand in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, them simply place them back into the oven at 400 degrees F or microwave them until warmed.
You can freeze these potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3 months; just thaw overnight in the fridge or for a few hours on the counter before baking and eating.
Can Cheddar Ranch Twice Baked Potatoes be Made in Advance?
You can prepare these baked potatoes up to a day in advance and then simply assemble and bake the following day, if desired. This is great for planning before a party, meal planning, and just reducing the dinner prep for the next day.
What potato is best for twice baked?
We recommend only using russet baking potatoes for this recipe because it is the only one meant to hold up to everything we’re going to put it through. While you won’t need to peel the skin off of the potatoes, you will want to make sure that the skin has been well washed and scrubbed.
How can I simplify the process for making twice baked potatoes?
To simplify the process of making twice baked potatoes, you can bake the potatoes in advance and refrigerate them until you’re ready to use them. This way, you can save time and make the dish quickly. Additionally, you could use a food processor to mix the filling ingredients together, which will save you time and effort.
Serving Suggestions for Cheesy Ranch Potatoes
Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or a side dish. Here are a few serving suggestions to make the most out of this delicious dish:
- Appetizer: Cut each potato half into smaller pieces and serve them as bite-sized appetizers. Top each piece with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chives for an elegant touch.
- Side dish: Serve the potato halves alongside grilled meats or roasted vegetables for a hearty and satisfying meal. The creamy and cheesy filling pairs well with a variety of flavors.
- Game day snack: These potatoes are perfect for game day snacking. Serve them with a side of buffalo sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
- Brunch item: Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes can be a great addition to a brunch menu. Serve them alongside scrambled eggs and bacon for a delicious and filling meal.
No matter how you choose to serve them, Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The combination of creamy filling and crispy potato skins makes for a delicious and satisfying dish.
Check out these other delicious side dishes!
- COPYCAT CHICK-FIL-A MAC AND CHEESE
- MEXICAN STREET CORN SALAD
- CREAMY LEMON JELLO
- BUTTERY SOUTHERN CORN CASSEROLE
- STRAWBERRY FLUFF SALAD
- CRISPY ROASTED ROSEMARY POTATOES
- CREAMY SALSA VERDE
- SAUSAGE BAKED BEANS
- EASY STUFFED ZUCCHINI
- BAKED BEANS WITH BACON
- BLT PASTA SALAD
- MEXICAN COLESLAW
- ORANGE GLAZED CARROTS
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- FRIED CINNAMON APPLES
- CAST IRON SKILLET POTATOES
- SCALLOPED CORN CASSEROLE
- ZUCCHINI RISOTTO
- BLUEBERRY JELLO SALAD
Cheddar Ranch Twice-Baked Potatoes are loaded with incredible flavors in every crispy potato skin. Switch up your favorite dinner side dish with this easy twist on this easy potato side dish.
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