Description
These Loaded Baked Ranch Potatoes are a delicious and comforting side dish featuring perfectly baked russet potatoes topped with creamy ranch dressing, crispy bacon, melted cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh green onions. This recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion when you’re craving a hearty, flavorful potato dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes (scrubbed and pierced with a fork)
- Olive oil (for drizzling)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Toppings
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing (or ranch seasoning mix)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon (crumbled)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup green onions (sliced)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rub the scrubbed potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place them on the oven rack or a baking sheet for baking.
- Bake the Potatoes: Bake the potatoes for 45-60 minutes or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cook Bacon and Prepare Ranch Dressing: While the potatoes bake, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove and crumble the bacon. In a small bowl, mix ranch dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble Loaded Potatoes: Remove potatoes from the oven and let cool slightly. Cut each potato lengthwise down the center without cutting all the way through, then gently squeeze open. Drizzle ranch dressing inside each potato and generously top with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
- Melt Cheese: Return the loaded potatoes to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, top with sour cream and sliced green onions, serve warm, and enjoy your flavorful loaded baked ranch potatoes.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, omit bacon and consider adding sautéed mushrooms or extra cheese.
- Use ranch seasoning mix instead of dressing for a thicker consistency if preferred.
- Baking time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes; check tenderness with a fork.
- Leftover loaded potatoes can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best results.
- For extra crispy skin, bake potatoes directly on the oven rack rather than on a baking sheet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: loaded baked potatoes, ranch potatoes, baked potatoes recipe, stuffed potatoes, cheesy bacon potatoes, comfort food, side dish
