Pin A hearty, comforting dish featuring fluffy baked potatoes topped with savory chili, creamy beans, and melted cheese. Perfect for a quick meal or customizable family dinner.
I first made loaded baked potatoes when I needed a simple, filling dinner that could please everyone around the table. Since that evening, it's become our family go-to for busy weeknights when we want to serve comforting food fast.
Ingredients
- Potatoes: 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Sea salt: 1 tsp
- Prepared chili: 2 cups (meat or vegetarian)
- Black beans: 1 cup canned, drained and rinsed
- Cheddar cheese: 1 cup shredded
- Sour cream: 1/2 cup
- Green onions: 1/4 cup chopped
- Tomatoes: 1/4 cup diced
- Jalapeño: 1, sliced (optional)
- Salt and pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
- Set oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare potatoes:
- Prick potatoes several times with a fork. Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake potatoes:
- Place potatoes on oven rack and bake for 50–60 minutes until skins are crisp and insides are tender.
- Heat chili & beans:
- Warm chili and black beans together in a saucepan on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Slice and fluff potatoes:
- Remove baked potatoes, cool slightly, slice lengthwise, and gently fluff insides with a fork.
- Add chili and beans:
- Spoon hot chili-bean mixture evenly over each potato.
- Top and season:
- Add shredded cheese, then sour cream, green onions, tomatoes, jalapeño. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve:
- Enjoy hot, with more toppings if desired.
Pin 
My kids love helping with the toppings, choosing their favorites and making each potato unique. It always brings laughter and color to our dinner table.
Required Tools
Oven, baking sheet (optional), saucepan, knife, fork
Allergen Information
Contains dairy from cheese and sour cream. Gluten-free if all chili and toppings are certified gluten-free; always check labels for cross-contamination.
Nutritional Information
Each serving: 480 calories, 17 g total fat, 62 g carbohydrates, 18 g protein
Pin This loaded baked potato recipe is sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation. Enjoy every bite and don't forget to share your favorite topping combos with family and friends!
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of potatoes works best?
Russet potatoes are ideal due to their fluffy texture when baked, which holds toppings well.
- → Can I prepare the chili and beans ahead of time?
Yes, pre-cooking and chilling the chili and beans helps flavors meld and speeds up assembly.
- → How do I get crispy potato skins?
Rubbing potatoes with olive oil and sea salt before baking at 425°F ensures crisp, flavorful skins.
- → What toppings complement the baked potatoes?
Fresh diced tomatoes, green onions, sour cream, jalapeño slices, and shredded cheese add layers of flavor and texture.
- → Is there a vegan option for toppings?
Substitute dairy cheese and sour cream with vegan alternatives to keep the dish plant-based.