Mexican Baked Potato: The Ultimate Twice-Baked Comfort Food

There’s something irresistibly satisfying about biting into a perfectly crispy-skinned baked potato that gives way to a creamy, flavorful interior. But when you infuse that classic comfort food with vibrant Mexican flavors? You’ve just created the ultimate weeknight dinner winner.

Enter the Mexican Baked Potato (also known as stuffed Mexican baked potato or twice-baked potato) – a delicious fusion that combines the hearty goodness of russet potatoes with the bold, zesty flavors you’d typically find in your favorite tacos. If your family’s Taco Tuesday needs a refresh, this creative spin offers all those beloved flavors in an exciting new format.

What Makes These Twice-mexican Baked Potatoes Special

The magic of these Mexican-inspired potatoes lies in their twice-baked preparation. First, we bake the potatoes until perfectly tender. Then, after mixing the fluffy potato flesh with savory taco meat, cheese, and spices, we stuff everything back into the potato skins and bake again. The result? A crispy exterior that gives way to a flavorful, creamy center packed with Mexican-inspired goodness.

What I love most about this recipe is its versatility. You can customize the fillings based on your preferences or whatever you have in your refrigerator. Plus, it’s a brilliant way to repurpose leftover taco meat from earlier in the week!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Mexican Baked Potato

For the Potatoes:

6 large Russet potatoes (they’re ideal for twice-baked potatoes due to their starchy quality)
Olive oil for coating

For the Filling:

1 cup cooked browned ground beef (leftover taco meat works perfectly!)
½ cup diced red onions
½ cup diced green peppers
1½ tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
¼ cup salsa
¼ cup water
1 cup shredded cheddar jack cheese
¼ cup sour cream

Optional Toppings (Mix and Match):

Additional sour cream
Diced tomatoes
Sliced green onions or chives
Fresh cilantro
Jalapeños
Sweet corn
Extra salsa
Crumbled bacon
Mexican crema or enchilada sauce
Guacamole
Black beans

Making Your Mexican Baked Potatoes: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare and Bake the Potatoes

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Thoroughly wash your potatoes and pat them dry. Using a fork, pierce each potato several times – this prevents them from exploding in the oven by allowing steam to escape.

Brush each potato generously with olive oil, ensuring they’re completely coated. This helps create that perfectly crispy skin we’re looking for.

Place the potatoes directly on the middle rack of your preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a fork easily slides into the center. If they’re still firm, continue baking in 15-minute intervals until properly tender.

2. Allow Potatoes to Cool

Once baked, remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool for about 15 minutes. This cooling period makes them easier to handle while you prepare the filling.

3. Prepare the Flavorful Filling

While the potatoes are cooling, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef (if using uncooked meat), diced red onions, and green peppers.

Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the mixture, then add the salsa and water. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables have softened and the flavors have melded together. If the mixture becomes too dry during cooking, add a splash more water.

4. Scoop Out the Potatoes

Once the potatoes have cooled enough to handle, carefully cut a rectangle on the top of each potato. Gently scoop out the flesh, transferring it to a large mixing bowl. Important tip: leave about ¼-inch of potato flesh attached to the skin to maintain structural integrity.

5. Create the Creamy Filling Mixture

In your mixing bowl, combine the scooped potato flesh with the shredded cheese and sour cream. Mash everything together until well blended but still maintaining some texture. Fold in your prepared meat and vegetable mixture until evenly distributed.

6. Stuff and Rebake

Generously fill each potato skin with your prepared mixture, slightly mounding the filling. For extra crispiness, brush the outside of the potatoes with a bit more olive oil and optionally sprinkle with a pinch of salt.

Return the stuffed potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the tops are golden and the filling is heated through.

7. Add Final Toppings and Serve

Remove your twice-baked potatoes from the oven and let them cool just briefly. Top with your choice of garnishes – a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, or any of your favorite taco toppings.

Perfect Pairings for Your Mexican Baked Potato

Make it a complete meal by serving your Mexican baked potatoes alongside:

Mexican street corn (elote)
A simple cilantro-lime rice
Protein-packed Mexican steak with avocado salsa
Taco soup for a truly comforting meal

For dessert, consider a traditional tres leches cake or for something simpler, raspberry cream cheese dip with sweet crackers.

Storage and Reheating Tips

These twice-baked potatoes are excellent for meal prep! You can prepare them ahead of time and refrigerate for a quick weeknight dinner.

To freeze: Wrap the prepared (but not topped) potatoes tightly in aluminum foil and place in a freezer container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to 6 weeks. Thaw before reheating.

Reheating options:

Oven: Reheat at 365°F (185°C) for 15-20 minutes until hot throughout
Microwave: 2 minutes on high power (though this may sacrifice some crispiness)
Air fryer: 360°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes for perfectly crispy results

Recipe Variations

Vegetarian version: Substitute the ground beef with Boca or Morning Star meat crumbles, or simply add extra black beans and corn
Spice it up: Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar jack and add extra jalapeños
Make it unique: Try using picadillo with sofrito for the meat filling for a different flavor profile

One potato makes a satisfying main dish portion, with approximately 331 calories per serving. Remember that nutritional information can vary based on specific ingredients and toppings used.

Whether you’re looking to reimagine Taco Tuesday or simply want a comforting meal that combines the best of two culinary worlds, these Mexican Baked Potato deliver big on flavor while remaining budget-friendly and satisfying. Give them a try this week – your family will thank you!