These Easy Chili Cheese Loaded Potatoes are such a crowd-pleaser and perfect for a cozy night in or as a party appetizer. This recipe is super fast and easy to make, with simple ingredients and minimal prep time, I promise you that this recipe will satisfy your cravings while leaving you with plenty of time to enjoy dinners with your loved ones!
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I'm 100% sure that this ultimate comfort food is sure to hit the spot. It can be an appetizer, main dish, and so much more. It's versatile! The best part? They are super affordable and perfect for meal prep!
If you want more easy and cheesy recipes, try my Marry me Chicken Pasta, Creamier Carbonara & Shrimp Linguine!
Jump to:
- What you'll need to make these Easy Chili Cheese Loaded Potatoes
- Instructions for Easy Chili Cheese Loaded Potatoes!
- Prep the Potatoes
- Make The Meat Sauce!
- Let's Melt some Cheese!
- Assemble Everything Together
- Substitutions
- Equipment
- Storage
- 3 Top Tips for Success
- FAQ's
- Related
- Dessert Pairing
- Chili Cheese Loaded Potatoes
- Food safety
What you'll need to make these Easy Chili Cheese Loaded Potatoes
- Baby Potatoes
- Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Chili flakes
- Paprika Powder
- Onion
- Red bell pepper
- Ground beef
- Tomato Paste
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Tomato sauce
- Sugar
- Butter
- Heavy cream
- Cheddar cheese
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for Easy Chili Cheese Loaded Potatoes!
Prep the Potatoes & pop 'em in the oven!
Make the meat sauce.
Make the Cheese Sauce.
Assemble everything together & Serve!
Prep the Potatoes
- 1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 2. Wash and dry the baby potatoes, then cut them into halves or quarters depending on their size. Place them in a bowl.
- 3. Add oil and all the listed seasonings to the baby potatoes. Mix well to ensure all the potatoes are coated evenly with the seasoning mixture.
- 4. Spread the seasoned baby potatoes evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- 5. Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
Make The Meat Sauce!
- 6. While the potatoes are baking, prepare the meat sauce. Heat a pan over medium to high heat and add a little oil.
- 7. Sauté the diced onion and pepper in the pan for a couple of minutes until they start to soften.
- 8. Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until it is browned and fully cooked through.
- 9. Stir in the tomato paste and mix well with the beef and vegetables. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- 10. Add all the spices listed for the meat sauce and mix once again. Allow it to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- 11. Pour in the tomato sauce and add the sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Mix everything well and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
Let's Melt some Cheese!
- 12. While the meat sauce is simmering, prepare the cheese sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over low to medium heat.
- 13. Pour in the heavy cream and add the cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Assemble Everything Together
- 14. Once the potatoes are done baking, remove them from the oven.
- 15. To assemble, layer the roasted potatoes on a serving platter or baking dish.
- 16. Spoon the meat sauce evenly over the potatoes, covering them completely.
- 17. Finally, pour the cheese sauce over the meat sauce and potatoes, ensuring everything is well covered.
- 18. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your loaded baby potato nachos!
Substitutions
- Potatoes: Substitute with russet potatoes or red potatoes
- Oil: Use olive oil or bacon fat for roasting potatoes, ensuring crispy skin and rich flavor.
- Onion: Substitute with green onions for a mild onion flavor.
- Red Bell Pepper: Replace with brussels sprouts for added crunch and earthy flavor.
- Ground Beef: Use ground chicken or pork as alternative.
- Tomato Paste: Substitute with tomato sauce for a smoother texture and balanced flavor.
- Butter: Use melted butter or olive oil for richness and moisture.
- Cheddar Cheese: Substitute with other cheese available at the grocery store for a gooey and cheesy topping.
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Baking Sheet Pan
- Saucier
- Large Skillet
Storage
- A great way to store loaded potatoes, is to place them in a sealed container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, use microwave or preheat oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic and transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet pan. Add extra cheese with 15-20 minutes baking time or until heated through. Enjoy them as a delicious leftover meal!
3 Top Tips for Success
- Start with Perfect Baked Potatoes: Prick them with a fork and place them on parchment paper on even layer. This ensures they cook evenly and have a fluffy texture, setting the stage for a great side dish.
- Use a Sharp Knife for Precision: When slicing the potatoes open, use a sharp knife to make clean cuts with a steady cutting board. This ensures they stay intact and provides a perfect canvas for loading with your favorite toppings.
- Get Creative with Toppings: The best thing about loaded potatoes is the variety of toppings! Experiment with classic options like cheese, bacon, and sour cream, or get creative with your favorite best toppings to the next level. Enjoy the versatility of this dish as a delicious side or even a main course. Guaranteed crowd pleaser!
FAQ's
What goes well with loaded potatoes?
Loaded potatoes pair perfectly with BBQ chicken or steak, making for a hearty main dish. They're also a delicious side for weeknight dinners or as part of a BBQ spread.
What is the difference between loaded potatoes and baked potatoes?
Unlike traditional baked potatoes, loaded ones are topped with a variety of ingredients like cheese, bacon, little butter and sour cream, adding flavor and richness.
What does loaded potato mean?
"Loaded potato" refers to a baked potato that's filled or "loaded" with toppings, transforming it into a hearty and indulgent dish.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Dessert Pairing
These are my favorite desserts to serve with this Easy Chili Cheese Loaded Potatoes Recipe:
Chili Cheese Loaded Potatoes
These Easy Chili Cheese Loaded Potatoes are such a crowd-pleaser and perfect for a cozy night in or as a party appetizer. This recipe is super fast and easy to make!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep The Potatoes
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wash and dry the baby potatoes, then cut them into halves or quarters depending on their size. Place them in a bowl.
- Add oil and all the listed seasonings to the baby potatoes. Mix well to ensure all the potatoes are coated evenly with the seasoning mixture.
- Spread the seasoned baby potatoes evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
Make the Meat Sauce
- While the potatoes are baking, prepare the meat sauce. Heat a pan over medium to high heat and add a little oil.
- Sauté the diced onion and pepper in the pan for a couple of minutes until they start to soften.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until it is browned and fully cooked through.
- Stir in the tomato paste and mix well with the beef and vegetables. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add all the spices listed for the meat sauce and mix once again. Allow it to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and add the sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Mix everything well and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
Let's Melt Some Cheese
- While the meat sauce is simmering, prepare the cheese sauce. In a separate saucepan, heat the milk over low to medium heat.
- Pour in the grated cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add in the hot sauce & let it thicken for 5 minutes on low heat!
Assemble Everything Together!
- Once the potatoes are done baking, remove them from the oven.
- To assemble, layer the roasted potatoes on a serving platter or baking dish.
- Spoon the meat sauce evenly over the potatoes, covering them completely.
- Finally, pour the cheese sauce over the meat sauce and potatoes, ensuring everything is well covered.
- Garnish with sour cream & chives if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your loaded baby potato nachos! Or meal prep for the week!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Amanda Danzilo says
This is excellent!!! Made this for dinner last night and even my picky kid was raving about how good it was and how he could eat it daily!