Quick Cheesy Potatoes – Easy Loaded Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
Looking for a fast, cheesy potato side dish? These loaded cheesy potatoes are ready in just 20 minutes! Start by microwaving small red potatoes until tender, then smash them with a fork. Add butter, salt, pepper, and roasted garlic seasoning for flavor. Top with shredded cheese and microwave again to melt. Want more? Load them up with bacon, sour cream, and chives. This simple recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and customizable with your favorite toppings!
One of the most requested side dishes in our house is either my quick mac and cheese or these quick cheesy potatoes. The great thing about these potatoes is you can make them as simple or loaded as your family likes their baked potatoes. Plus you can easily use the grilled baby potatoes for these loaded twice baked potatoes.
Loaded Baked Potato Ingredients
These are super easy ingredients to make these loaded twice baked potatoes that are made entirely in the microwave. Here are the ingredients you will need to make this potato side dish.
- Red Potatoes
- Butter
- Salt and Pepper
- Roasted Garlic and Herb Seasoning
- Shredded Colby-Jack or Cheddar Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Chives or Green Onions
How to Make Easy Cheesy Loaded Potatoes
The key to making this recipe easy is it can all be made on one plate in the microwave. That keeps the dishes to a minimum. Start by putting small red potatoes on a large plate and poke holes in the potatoes in two places with forks. I normally make two to three pounds of the small red potatoes. They will fill a whole dinner plate. Then place in the microwave. My microwave has a potato cook setting. If yours does not have this setting, cook on high for 10 minutes.
When the potatoes are done cooking, you will be able to easily smash the potatoes with a fork. Smash each potato. It is completely fine for the potatoes to fall apart or pile up a bit. Make the potatoes all fit on the plate. We don’t want more dishes!
Once the potatoes are all smashed, mash butter into the potatoes. I use softened butter, but if you don’t have it soft, the potatoes will be hot enough to melt the butter. Expect to use at least four to five tablespoons of butter.
Then you will want to season the potatoes. I love to use my roasted garlic and herbs mix along with salt and pepper. Don’t have a garlic obsession like I have? You can just use salt and pepper on these easy cheesy potatoes.
Easy Loaded Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
Now comes the cheese. Without cheese, you can’t have a loaded baked potato? Use a full two cups of cheese. I cannot help myself when it comes to cheese. If a little is good, a lot is better!
Pop the plate in the microwave again for a minute. Then keep microwaving until all the cheese is completely melted. When the cheese is melted, you can go ahead and eat these quick cheesy loaded potatoes the way they are right now. But, if you love a loaded cheesy baked potato, keep going.
Add bacon.
Add sour cream.
Add chives or green onions.
Drooling yet? Well, you should be after seeing these easy cheesy potatoes.
Don’t know what to eat with these quick loaded cheesy potatoes? Let me suggested these crock pot cheesy garlic and brown sugar pork chops.
Be sure to put the easy cheesy potatoes on the meal plan this week.
Tips for Perfect Cheesy Potatoes:
- Versatile toppings: Customize with bacon, jalapeños, green onions, or your favorite cheese for extra flavor.
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh potatoes and cheese ensure the best flavor.
- Microwave convenience: Microwaving saves time, but you can also roast or boil the potatoes for a crispy texture.
Easy Potato Recipes
Here are more great potato recipes that are easy to make.
Main Dish Recipes:
Now that you know what your side dish recipe is, pick out the main dish!
Easy Cheesy Potatoes – Quick Loaded Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- On a large dinner plate, place the clean red potatoes on the plate. Stab the potatoes with a fork at least in two different places.
- Microwave on high for ten minutes or until the potatoes are tender to a fork insertion.
- When soft, smash the potatoes with a fork. Then spread the butter over all the smashed potatoes.
- Season with the salt and pepper. Then add the garlic, if you are using it.
- Cover in the shredded cheese. Microwave for another minute. If the cheese is not melted, microwave in 30-second increments until melted.
- Top the potatoes with any additional toppings you like on loaded potatoes including sour cream, chives, and bacon bits.
Nutrition
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