Sunday Dinner: Baked potatoes four ways

Baked potatoes don’t have to be boring. Take a basic dish and turn it into something fun for Sunday dinner!

Do potatoes draw a yawn from your family? Why not mix things up a bit with a twist on ‘taters? Sunday dinner is the perfect time to try something fun with the family! Topping ideas for baked potatoes are pretty much endless, but here are a few to get you started!

Bacon and egg baked potatoes

It’s like breakfast for dinner! This bacon and egg option is a fun way to wake up your Sunday dinner.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 russet potatoes, scrubbed and dried
• 4 eggs
• 8 slices bacon
• 6 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra for garnish
• 2-3 tablespoons light sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1-3 tablespoons oil to fry eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Pierce each potato several times with a fork, then wrap in aluminum foil.
3. Bake for 60-80 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes.
4. While the potatoes are baking, cook bacon and pat off the excess oil with a paper towel (you can also use veggie-based bacon). When the bacon has cooled to the touch, crumble it into a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
5. When the potatoes are finished cooking and you can handle them, cut them in half and scoop out the warm insides of each potato and put in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside the potato skins.
6. Add the cheddar cheese to the potato, along with the sour cream and bacon crumbles, and mash and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Divide the mixture evenly and add it back to each potato skin.
8. Fry the eggs, and top each potato with one egg.
9. Sprinkle with a bit of cheddar cheese and serve.

For each of these recipes, the process is similar. Bake the potatoes as directed, but you’ll finish each a bit differently. The sky is the limit with baked potatoes, and you’re sure to find something the whole family will enjoy.

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Pepperoni “pizza” baked potatoes

Pizza and potatoes rolled into one! This is a great way to satisfy two cravings for Sunday dinner!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 russet potatoes, scrubbed and dried
• 2/3 cup (or a bit more) of your favorite pasta sauce
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, plus extra for garnish
• 4 ounces prepared pepperoni
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Pierce each potato several times with a fork, then wrap in aluminum foil.
3. Bake for 60-80 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes.
4. When the potatoes are finished cooking and you can handle them, cut them in half and scoop out the insides of each potato and place in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside the potato skins.
5. Add the pasta sauce, oregano, and salt and pepper to the potatoes and mash and mix well. Mix in the mozzarella cheese.
6. Divide the mixture evenly and add it back to each potato skin.
7. Top each potato with a few pepperoni slices and a bit of the mozzarella cheese.
8. Place the potatoes in the oven to broil, just long enough to melt the cheese (about a minute or so).

Try this recipe for avocado and turkey sandwich wraps >>

Thanksgiving-style baked potatoes

Perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers, or just when you feel like a Thanksgiving-inspired meal any time of year!

Ingredients:

• 4 russet potatoes, scrubbed and dried
• 4-6 ounces precooked turkey, shredded or diced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2-4 tablespoons milk
• 2-4 tablespoons sour cream
• 2/3 cup cranberry sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Pierce each potato several times with a fork, then wrap in aluminum foil.
3. Bake for 60-80 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes.
4. When the potatoes are finished cooking and you can handle them, cut them in half and scoop out the insides of each potato and place in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside the potato skins.
5. Add the butter, milk, sour cream and salt and pepper to the potatoes and mash and mix well.
6. Divide the mixture evenly and add it back to each potato skin.
7. Top each potato with the turkey and place in the oven on broil, just long enough to heat the turkey (about a minute).
8. Remove from the oven and top each potato with a dollop of cranberry sauce.

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Tasty tuna baked potatoes

These potatoes offer a taste of the sea. Tuna makes a great topping for this special spud!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 russet potatoes, scrubbed and dried
• 2 (5-ounce) cans tuna, drained
• 4-6 tablespoons mayonnaise, or to taste
• 1/4 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cut diced onion
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Pierce each potato several times with a fork, then wrap in aluminum foil.
3. Bake for 60-80 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes.
4. Meanwhile, combine the tuna, mayo, celery, onion, and salt and pepper and mix well.
5. When the potatoes are finished cooking and you can handle them, cut them in half.
6. Top each potato with a scoop of the tuna mixture and serve.

Spuds will no longer be duds with these great ideas for Sunday dinner!

More Sunday dinner recipes

Baked shells with winter squash
Whole-wheat pasta with grilled vegetables and sausage
Soba noodle stir-fry