Loaded Baked Potatoes

Loaded Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:

– 4 large russet potatoes
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt to taste
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup sour cream
– 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
– 2 green onions, sliced
– 1/4 cup butter
– Optional toppings: chopped chives, black pepper, additional cheese, salsa

Instructions:

1. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. **Prepare the Potatoes:**
– Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
– Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt.
– Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for about 45-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.

3. **Cook the Bacon:**
– While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, crumble the bacon and set aside.

4. **Prepare the Toppings:**
– Slice the green onions and set aside.
– Shred the cheddar cheese and set aside.

5. **Assemble the Potatoes:**
– Once the potatoes are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.
– Make a slit in the top of each potato and gently squeeze the sides to open them up.
– Add a pat of butter to each potato, then top with a generous dollop of sour cream.
– Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the sour cream, followed by crumbled bacon and sliced green onions.

6. **Serve:**
– Serve the loaded baked potatoes hot, with additional toppings if desired.