Loaded Vegetarian Baked Potato

Why You'll Love this Recipe

A potato is a great source of healthy complex carbohydrates. Loading it with heaps of vegetables makes this meal a combination made in healthy indulgence heaven.

Get creative with the vegetarian baked potato toppings. Pick and choose your favorite vegetables, herbs, and spices for this dish.

It's cheesy! Need I say more?

Ingredients

Potatoes - I use baking potatoes for this recipe, but sweet potatoes would be a good alternative

Vegetables - I like trying a different combination of vegetables each time I make this recipe. A few of my favorites to use in this Loaded Baked Potato are: broccoli, red onion, bell peppers, and mushrooms.

Spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, red pepper flakes

Rotel tomatoes - I use original flavored Rotel, but you can use 'fire-roasted' or 'hot' to add more spice to the cheese sauce.

Velveeta Cheese - You can substitute vegan cheese or use no cheese for a vegan baked potato.

Fresh vegetables on a white table. Ingredients needed to make this recipe are potatoes, bell peppers, onion, tomatoes, and broccoli.

How to Cook a Baked Potato

Baking potatoes can take a while to cook – about an hour in the oven depending on the size. When you make this vegetarian stuffed potatoes recipe, start by prepping the potatoes and get them in the oven first.

Heat the oven to 450°F. First, clean the potato by scrubbing it with water. Poke 5-10 holes all around the potato using a sharp knife. Poking the potato will help release steam while it cooks.

Next, brush the potato with olive oil then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the potato on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes then flip and bake for another 20 minutes.

Gently squeeze the potato to make sure it is soft and cooked through. You can also poke the potato with a fork to see if it enters easily. If it is not cooked through, continue cooking in 5 minute increments.

How to Make this Recipe

By making the vegetarian baked potato recipe with the processes below in mind, everything should be ready at the same time to assemble and eat.

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes and get them in the oven.

Step 2: While the potatoes are cooking, chop and season the vegetables. Then put the vegetables on a sheet pan in the oven to start roasting.

Step 3: Shortly after you get the veggies in the oven, it is time to make my favorite part of this meal – the cheesy queso! In a medium bowl, heat Velveeta and Rotel in the microwave for 30 second increments until melted.

Step 4: Assemble potatoes by cutting open the potato and filling it with the roasted vegetables and cheese.

Chopped and seasoned vegetables on a sheet pan: onions, broccoli, tomato, and bell peppers.

FAQs

How do you cut a baked potato?

Using a small paring knife, cut the potato lengthwise and give it a gentle squeeze to open.

Are potatoes healthy?

Yes! A potato is a great source of healthy complex carbohydrates which are one of the best forms of energy from food. Complex carbs are a slow burning fuel to give you energy to power through your day or a workout and help maintain the muscle you have built. And remember, as with anything in life, balance and moderation are key to a healthy lifestyle.

What other vegetables can you add to this loaded potato recipe?

The possibilities are endless! You can add: cauliflower, mushrooms, jalapeño peppers, asparagus, etc.