Ham and Cheese Stuffed Potatoes

Here’s a recipe for making delicious ham and cheese stuffed potatoes, with a truly Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, perfectly washed
• 100 g of cooked ham (or raw ham for a more flavorful variant)
• 100 g of melting cheese (such as mozzarella or provola)
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Aromatic herbs (rosemary or thyme, according to preference) chopped, optional
• Butter, for greasing the potatoes, optional

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Lightly grease the potatoes with extra virgin olive oil (or melted butter), then bake them directly on the oven rack for about 1 hour or until they are soft to the touch. You can also wrap them in aluminum foil, if you prefer.
3. Once cooked, cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and gently scoop out with a spoon to remove some of the flesh, leaving a layer near the skin to maintain their shape.
4. Mash the removed potato flesh with a fork and mix with diced ham, cubed melting cheese, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and chopped aromatic herbs (if using).
5. Fill the potato skins with the mixture of flesh, ham, and cheese, then sprinkle with more Parmesan if desired.
6. Put the stuffed potatoes back in the oven and cook for another 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted well and the surface looks golden.
7. Serve the stuffed potatoes hot, possibly with a sprinkling of fresh Parmesan or a garnish of aromatic herbs.

Curiosity

Stuffed potatoes are a versatile dish that welcomes a variety of fillings, from the simplest to the most sophisticated. With ham and cheese, this version is a classic of Italian comfort food: perfect for a casual yet hearty dinner, it encapsulates the flavor of Italian home tradition.

I recommend a slightly fruity white wine to accompany this dish, perhaps a Pinot Grigio or a Verdicchio, which with their acidity will balance the richness of the cheese and ham.