Broccoli, Cheese, And 10 Other Things To Stuff In A Baked Potato

"For me, a plain baked potato is the most delicious one... It is soothing and enough," said the famous food writer M.F.K. Fisher. The Baked Potato — wholesome, nutritious, nearly impossible to screw up — is one of our favorite simple dinners, but to Ms. Fisher's assertion that a plain baked potato is enough, we must differ in opinion.

Use our guide to make the perfect baked potato — crisped skin with a fluffy center — or try our short cut to achieve the same great texture in less time. Then, dream up your favorite flavor combination.

We aren't reinventing the wheel here, but we are upping the ante on what a simple baked potato can do for your lunch and dinner routine. Check out our complete list of delicious fillings to stuff inside your baked potato.

Crisp bacon adds texture and plenty of salty, smoky flavors to your bake potato. Bake your potatoes according to your favorite recipe's directions, and then slice each potato open to fill. Combine the bacon with fresh tomatoes and shredded lettuce for a baked potato BLT.

Bake your potatoes according to your favorite recipe, and then slice them open and scoop out the tender potato center, and set aside in a bowl. Combine your potato flesh, broccoli florets, garlic, sour cream, and a splash or two of milk; season with salt and pepper; and then stuff your potato skins with the filling. Bake for another 30 minutes at 350 degrees F to cook the broccoli filling.

For this baked potato twist, try our favorite fresh Bruschetta recipe. Then, bake your potatoes and top with a heaping spoonful of the tomato, onion, and herb mixture. Finish your potato with a drizzle of good quality balsamic vinegar and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. 

This stuffed potato is inspired by the flavors of French onion soup. Sauté your onions in butter low and slow for a deep caramelized color and flavor without burning. Then, remove the center of your baked potato, and combine with the caramelized onions and shredded fontina or Gruyère cheese. Season with black pepper and then stuff the filling back into your potato skins. Bake the stuffed potatoes at 350 degrees F for another 15 or 20 minutes to melt the cheese.

You can never have too much cheese is your new motto when putting together this supremely cheesy stuffed potato. Gather a variety of your favorite cheeses — anything from mozzarella to blue cheese crumbles will do. Then, scoop out the center of your baked potato. Combine the fluffy center with as much cheese as you like (we recommend a two-to-one ratio of potato to cheese), and then add a dollop of sour cream. Season the filling, and then stuff inside the reserved potato skins. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes until the cheese filling is melted and hot.

For this potato recipe, try our favorite creamed spinach recipe. Then, combine with the fluffy center of your baked potato. Stuff inside your potato skin, and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes.

Just add an egg. The addition of a fried egg to burgers, rice, and greens makes every one of these foods better, so why not potatoes, too? Simply bake your potato, fry your egg, and then pierce the runny yolk center over top, letting the rich, creamy yolk work its magic.

Not much different in concept to biscuits and gravy, and the smooth, rich gravy will make your simple baked potato an irresistible treat. Try our recipe for simple brown gravy that you can pour right over your soft, fluffy potato.

If you find yourself with sweet and salty honey baked ham, simply dice it into bite-sized pieces, and then combine with the scooped out center of your baked potato. Add sour cream for tang, and cheese (if you are into that sort of thing). Then, return the filling to your potato skins and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the potato is hot.

We prefer to sauté fresh, sliced mushrooms in butter with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme; however, if you find yourself in a pinch, you could also use cream of mushroom soup. Simply bake your potato and then pour your mushrooms over top. You can return to the oven at 350 degrees F to quickly rewarm.

Pepperoni pizza potato? Yes, please. Scoop out the center of your baked potato and combine that fluffy potato goodness with peperoni, shredded mozzarella, and a spoonful of jarred tomato sauce. Then, return the filling to your potato skins and bake at 350 degrees F for a pizza potato you won't regret.

This one is sure to be a hit with the kids. Use your favorite recipe for sloppy joe filling — we like this High-Octane Sloppy Joes recipe that is just a little spicy — and top your perfectly baked potatoes with hearty filling.