Best Cheeses To Top A Baked Potato

Baked potatoes are a versatile dish that can be loaded with various toppings to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. One of the most popular choices for a baked potato topping is cheese, which adds a creamy, decadent element to the dish. When paired with the fluffy texture of a baked potato, cheese creates a comforting and indulgent meal. While cheddar cheese is a classic option, other varieties such as mozzarella, blue cheese, and goat cheese can also be used to create unique flavour profiles. In this article, we will explore the different types of cheese that can be used to elevate the simple baked potato into a delicious and satisfying meal.

Cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and blue cheese

Baked potatoes are a versatile dish that can be loaded with various toppings, including different types of cheese. Here are some tips and suggestions for using Cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and blue cheese on your baked potatoes:

Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for baked potatoes and pairs well with other classic toppings. When using Cheddar, it is best to grate or shred the cheese to allow it to melt evenly and create a creamy texture. You can mix the Cheddar cheese with butter, sour cream, salt, and pepper to create a delicious and flavourful filling. If you want to add some crunch, include crispy bacon bits or fresh chives.

Mozzarella

Mozzarella cheese adds a creamy and stretchy element to your baked potato. It melts beautifully and can be used as a topping or incorporated into the filling. When using mozzarella, consider pairing it with ingredients like garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper to enhance its flavour. Mozzarella-loaded baked potatoes can be a tasty side dish or a satisfying snack on their own.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese offers a unique flavour and aroma to your baked potato. Its strong and pungent taste can be a delightful addition, especially when combined with other ingredients. You can mix blue cheese with potatoes, butter, sour cream, and chives for a creamy and flavourful filling. Blue cheese also goes well with steamed chopped broccoli, creating a tasty and nutritious option.

Combining Cheeses

You can also experiment with combining these cheeses or adding other ingredients to create unique flavour profiles. For example, try mixing Cheddar and mozzarella with bacon and scallions or green onions for a loaded baked potato. Additionally, consider incorporating ingredients like garlic powder, chicken bouillon, milk, or sour cream to enhance the creaminess and flavour of your cheesy baked potatoes.

Goats cheese and onion jam

A creative take on a loaded baked potato, goat's cheese and onion jam is a delicious combination of flavours and textures. The tanginess of the goat's cheese pairs beautifully with the sweetness of caramelised onion jam, creating a unique and indulgent topping for a baked potato. Here is a suggested method for creating this flavourful dish:

Ingredients:

• Baking potatoes (russet potatoes are a good variety)
• Goat's cheese (a log or firm variety works well)
• Onion jam (caramelised onions)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fresh thyme or other herbs

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Wash and scrub the potatoes, then prick them with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
• Rub the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake the potatoes for about an hour, or until they are fork-tender and have a crispy skin.
• While the potatoes are baking, prepare your onion jam. Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat and add sliced onions. Cook until the onions are caramelised, stirring frequently. This should take around 10 minutes.
• Once the potatoes are baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly so they are easier to handle.
• Cut a slit in each potato and carefully scoop out some of the flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch layer of potato flesh and skin intact.
• Fill the potatoes with a generous amount of goat's cheese, then top with the caramelised onion jam.
• If desired, sprinkle with fresh thyme or other herbs of your choice.
• Place the potatoes back in the oven and bake for an additional 8-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the toppings are heated through.
• Serve immediately and enjoy the combination of warm, fluffy potatoes, creamy goat's cheese, and sweet onion jam!

This recipe is a delightful way to elevate a simple baked potato, and the combination of goat's cheese and onion jam is sure to impress.

Cheese and bacon

Ingredients

• 4 large Russet potatoes
• 4 slices of bacon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground white pepper
• 2 tbsp finely chopped chives
• Salt to taste

Method

First, preheat your oven to 400°F. While the oven heats up, wash and scrub the potatoes, then prick them all over with a fork. Rub the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the seasoned potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for about an hour, or until fork-tender.

Next, fry or oven-bake your bacon until crispy, and set aside to cool. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut a slit down the length of each potato and carefully scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl, leaving about a 1/4-inch layer of potato flesh and skin. Place the potato skins back on the baking rack or sheet.

Mash the potato flesh with butter, sour cream, 1 cup of the cheese, bacon bits, half of the chives, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well, then spoon the mixture back into the potato shells.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese and chives over the potatoes and bake for a further 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

Serving Suggestions

This loaded baked potato is a hearty meal in itself, but if you want to balance it out, try serving it with a green salad and a zesty vinaigrette to cut through the richness.

Tips

• If you know you'll be short on time, you can bake the potatoes in advance, then wrap them in parchment paper and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day.
• If you want to freeze your potatoes, flash-freeze them on a baking tray for about 30 minutes, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months.
• To ensure your potatoes don't explode in the oven, be sure to prick holes in them with a fork or cut small slits with a knife before baking. This allows the steam to escape.

Cheese and sour cream

When it comes to choosing a cheese to pair with sour cream, a sharp cheddar is a popular option. The sharpness of the cheddar adds a nice kick to the creamy sour cream, and the two ingredients melt together beautifully to create a rich and decadent topping for your baked potato.

To take your baked potato to the next level, you can also add other ingredients to the cheese and sour cream mixture. For example, chives, bacon, butter, and garlic powder can all be mixed in to create a more complex and flavourful topping. If you're looking for a bit of spice, you could also add some chilli flakes or pepper to the mixture.

When preparing your baked potato, it's important to make sure that the potato is cooked through and fluffy. Pricking holes in the potato before baking it will allow steam to escape and prevent it from exploding in the oven. You'll also want to rub the potato with olive oil, salt, and pepper before baking to create a crispy skin.

Once your potato is cooked, simply cut it open, add your butter, sour cream, cheese, and any other desired toppings, and mix everything together. You can then add more cheese on top and bake the potato for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve it immediately and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!

Cheesy scalloped potatoes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 3 pounds Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups heavy/whipping cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F and move the rack to the middle position.
• Grate the cheeses and prepare the potatoes by peeling them and using a mandoline slicer to cut them into 1/8" (3 mm) slices.
• Add the butter to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
• Add in the cream, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Let it warm through, stirring occasionally, and remove from the heat once it reaches a boil.
• Arrange half of the potatoes on the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish. It's okay if they overlap slightly and don't need to be arranged perfectly.
• Pour half of the cream mixture over the potatoes, then add half of each cheese.
• Repeat the process for the second layer, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
• Bake, covered with foil, for 40 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick slides into the potatoes without resistance. Ovens may vary, so check for doneness earlier if your oven runs hot.
• Let the potatoes sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• Use a mandoline slicer to cut the potatoes into uniform slices quickly and easily.
• Place the baking dish on a baking sheet to catch any spills or splatters.
• For a crisp topping, change the oven setting to broil after baking and broil until golden brown.
• You can make this dish ahead of time by assembling it up to the step before baking, covering it tightly with foil, and refrigerating for up to a day.

Frequently asked questions