Loaded Baked Potatoes with Homemade Cheese Sauce
Description
The baked potatoes get sliced in half, baked in the oven and then loaded with bacon, broccoli and homemade cheese sauce. A super, easy family favorite dish on your table in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Potatoes:
- 6 Russet Potatoes, medium size
- 2 Tablespoons 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 Tablespoons 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, to taste
Instructions
To make the potatoes:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Rinse and scrub potatoes and cut in half length wise. This helps speed up baking time.6 Russet Potatoes
- Rub the potatoes on both sides with olive oil 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 fork tender.
To make the cheese sauce:
- In a small sauce pan, heat the milk over medium heat until you see bubbles forming at the top.2 Cups Whole Milk
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in another saucepan over medium heat.1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter
- Sprinkle the flour over the top, stirring constantly until a thick paste forms, 1 to 2 minutes.1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- Slowly add the warm milk to the flour and butter paste in a steady stream, whisking constantly.
- Continue cooking, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. It should be thick but still pourable.
- Add the cheese, whisking constantly until it is melted.2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Add the hot sauce and cayenne.2 Tablespoons Hot Sauce, 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- Stir in the broccoli and bacon.1 1/4 Cups Broccoli Florets, 4 Slices Bacon
- Taste, then add salt and pepper to taste.Salt and Pepper
- Add more cayenne and/or hot sauce if preferred.
- If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little bit more milk until desired consistency.
- Spoon hot cheese sauce over baked potatoes and serve immediately.
Notes
The potatoes and cheese sauce are best when served immediately after preparing, when it's nice and hot. But this cheese sauce and baked potatoes keeps well covered tightly in the refrigerator for about 1 week. Just heat it up before serving – it’s a great item to make ahead before the guests arrive.
Nutrition
Calories: 568kcal