These cheesy ranch twice baked potatoes are truly awesome. Filled with bacon, cheese, onions, garlic, and creamy Ranch dressing, you have to give these a try.
I love to make these potatoes as a side dish or even a meal on their own. They're so hearty and filling, they're perfect either way.
Cheesy Ranch Twice Baked Potatoes
This was inspired by my other twice baked potato recipe on this site, and it pairs well with this air fryer ribeye steak.
Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make these delicious cheesy ranch twice baked potato boats. Every single thing on the ingredient list is a kitchen staple, so you shouldn't have to make a special trip to get what you need to make these fantastic potatoes.
- Large russet potatoes
- Butter
- Shredded cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Ranch dressing
- Milk or cream
- Onion, finely chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Egg whites or olive oil
See the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities.
Making the Potatoes
Making these cheesy ranch twice baked potato boats is as easy as the ingredient list. It doesn't take much work at all to pull them together, and once you're finished, you'll have baked potatoes that are literally and figuratively overflowing with flavor.
Step 1: Bake the Potatoes
Pierce potatoes, brush with olive oil or egg whites, and roll in a combination of kosher salt, ground black pepper, rosemary, and thyme. Then, bake the potatoes.
Step 2: Sautee the Onions
While the potatoes cool, sautee the onions until translucent.
Step 3: Hollow out the Potatoes
Cut around the top of the potatoes to make a sort of bowl. Then, remove the top of the potatoes and scoop out the insides of each one, leaving a thin edge for support.
Step 4: Make the Filling
Mix the scooped potatoes, butter, milk or cream, garlic, parmesan, ranch dressing, onions, bacon, salt, and pepper. Then, add shredded cheese to taste.
Step 5: Fill and Bake the Potatoes
Arrange the hollowed out potatoes in a large baking dish and place mashed potatoes in a Ziploc bag or piping bag. Next, cut the corner of the Ziploc bag or use a piping bag to pipe the mashed potatoes into the potato bowls. Sprinkle with cheese and bake. Then, finish the potatoes by broiling.
Hint: Be sure not to scoop out too much of the potato. You don't want it to collapse.
Substitutions
Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change these ranch twice baked potatoes.
- Sausage - If you don't have or like bacon, a little crumbled sausage works well, in this recipe.
- Margarin - Use margarin instead of butter if you don't have any on hand.
- Cheese - Use any of your favorite shredded cheeses in this recipe.
Variations
Want to personalize this ranch twice baked potatoes recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.
- Spicy - Add some cayenne pepper for a kick of heat.
- Hot Sauce - Hot sauce makes a great final touch for these potatoes.
If you love recipes like this, yu may also enjoy these buffalo chicken stuffed potatoes.
Equipment
It only takes a few items to make these tasty twice baked potatoes.
- Meauring cups and spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Spoon
- Baking sheet
Storage
You can store these potatoes in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, yu an freeze them for up to 6 months.
Tips
Twice baked potatoes are fairly easy to make, but like any recipe, this one has a few little things you can do to really make it amazing.
- When choosing your potatoes, you want big, fat potatoes that you can absolutely stuff with all that twice baked goodness.
- Be sure not to scoop too much of your potato out. Take out everything except for a thin layer about ⅓ of an inch thick.
- With a piping bag, you can quickly, easily, and neatly get your potatoes exactly where you want them to be.
More Ranch Recipes
Do you like ranch? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
FAQ
Do you have questions about ranch twice baked potatoes? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about twice baked ranch potatoes.
How long will these last?
These potatoes will keep for about 4 days in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.
How do you freeze twice baked potatoes?
Wrap each potato individually in cling wrap and then again in foil. Then, place them in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze.
How do you reheat twice baked potatoes?
You can reheat defrosted potatoes in the oven at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or from frozen for 35 to 45 minutes.
What to serve with twice baked potatoes?
These potatoes pair well with steak, pork chops, or chicken.
Ranch Twice Baked Potatoes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Cheesy Ranch Twice Baked Potato Boats
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes or Idaho potatoes unpeeled or 6 medium
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cups shredded cheese divided
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
- ¾ cup bacon or 12 slices, divided, cooked and crumbled
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- ¼ cup milk or cream ⅓ cup
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 tblsp garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 tblsp fresh chives sliced for garnish
Outside of Potato (Optional)
- 5-6 tblsp olive oil or 2 large egg whites
- 1 tblsp kosher or sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper optional
- 2 tblsp dried rosemary optional
- 2 tblsp dried thyme leaves optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Wash and dry the potatoes, then pierce each several times with a fork.
- If desired, combine the salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme in a small bowl. Brush the potatoes with olive oil and roll them in the seasoning mixture until evenly coated. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until fork-tender. Let cool until safe to handle, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
- While the potatoes bake, cook the bacon until crisp and crumble it, reserving ¼ cup for topping. Sauté the chopped onion in 1 to 2 tablespoons of bacon grease until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
- Slice a round piece from the top of each potato. Using a spoon, carefully scoop the flesh into a large mixing bowl, leaving about ¼ to ½ inch of potato inside each skin so they stay sturdy.
- Add the butter, milk or cream, ranch dressing, Parmesan cheese, 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, cooked bacon (except the reserved topping), sautéed onion, garlic, salt, and pepper to the potato. Beat with a hand mixer or mash until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Arrange the hollowed potato skins in a baking dish. Spoon or pipe the mashed potato mixture back into the potato shells, mounding it slightly. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese and the reserved bacon.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is hot and the cheese has melted. Broil for 2-5 minutes, if desired, until the tops are golden and bubbly. Garnish with fresh chives, let cool for a few minutes, and serve warm.
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