Baked Potatoes Stuffed with Ham and Cheese

Baked potatoes stuffed with ham and cheese are a simple yet appetizing dish, perfect for a cozy and tasty meal. Here is the recipe to prepare this delicious dish.

Ingredients

• 4 medium-sized potatoes
• 100 g of cooked ham
• 100 g of melting cheese (for example, mozzarella or fontina)
• 4 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Butter to taste
• Chopped chives (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Wash the potatoes and dry them. Make longitudinal cuts without going all the way through to facilitate cooking.
3. Wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil and place them on a baking tray.
4. Bake the potatoes for about 1 hour or until they are soft to the touch.
5. In the meantime, cut the ham and cheese into small cubes.
6. Once cooked, remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool. Increase oven temperature to 220 °C.
7. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the inside with a spoon, being careful not to break the outer skin. Place the potato flesh in a bowl.
8. Mash the potato flesh and season it with salt, pepper, grated Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
9. Add the diced ham and cheese to the potato flesh and mix everything well.
10. Distribute the filling inside the potato skins, put a small dollop of butter on top and, if you like, sprinkle with more Parmesan.
11. Put the stuffed potatoes back in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden.
12. Take the stuffed potatoes out of the oven, sprinkle with chopped chives for a fresh final touch, and serve them hot.

Trivia

Stuffed potatoes are an extremely versatile dish that can be personalized according to taste: for instance, you might add mushrooms, grilled vegetables, or replace the ham with bacon or speck to the ingredients. Moreover, the potato is originally from the Americas but was introduced to Europe in the 16th century and since then has become a fundamental ingredient in both Italian and international cuisine, especially in baked variants.