Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Stuffed baked potatoes are a delicious and quite simple dish to prepare. They can be filled in various ways, but I’ll give you a basic recipe that can be customized according to your tastes or needs. Here are the ingredients and instructions to prepare stuffed baked potatoes Italian-style:

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes
• 200 g of diced cooked ham (optional, for a vegetarian version you can omit it)
• 150 g of grated cheese (such as mozzarella or emmental)
• 100 ml of cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Chopped parsley (for garnish)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Thoroughly wash the potatoes and dry them. Prick the skin of the potatoes with a fork, then rub them with a little oil and salt lightly.
3. Place the potatoes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for approximately 45-60 minutes, or until they are soft in the center when pricked with a fork.
4. Once cooked, remove the potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly. Cut a lid on the top part and with a spoon gently hollow out the inside, being careful not to break the outer skin.
5. In a bowl, mash the removed pulp and mix it with the diced ham, cream, grated cheese, salt, and pepper.
6. Stuff the potato skins with the mixture obtained and sprinkle with more cheese if you want a crust.
7. Put the stuffed potatoes back in the oven for another 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned.
8. Take the potatoes out of the oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve hot.

Remember, you can add to the stuffing any ingredients you prefer: artichokes, olives, bacon, vegetables, or make the dish lighter by using yogurt instead of cream and low-fat cheeses.

Stuffed baked potatoes are versatile and comforting, ideal for a family meal or to impress guests with a special dinner. Enjoy your meal!