Double-Baked-SMASHED! Potatoes — Prep Time: 60 minutes, Bake Time 20 min

These Double-Baked-Smashed!-Potatoes are probably my most favorite  BBQ/dinner side! Not only are these potatoes super yummy, they are also very simple to make…. Just follow the recipe below for detailed instructions, and enjoy! 🙂

All you’ll need is:

•  8 Potatoes
•  1 package of Cream Cheese
•  1 small Onion, chopped
•  1/8 cup of Ranch Dressing
•  1 1/2 cups of Cheddar Cheese, shredded
•  1 Tbsp. of Margarine or Butter
•  1/4 cup of Milk or Cream
•  1/4 Tsp. of crushed Garlic
•  1/2 package of diced, cooked Bacon or Bacon Bits
•  Dash of Salt & Pepper
•  Fresh Chives for garnish

Step One: Wash and slice all of the potatoes in half, the long way. Place all potato halves face down on a baking sheet. Cover the bottom of the baking sheet with 1cm of water, and bake in the oven for 45 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tip: If you are worried about the potatoes sticking, cover the baking sheet with a light coating of vegetable oil or butter.

Step Two: After potatoes have been baked and cooled to touch, use a spoon to carefully scrape out the potato skins into a large bowl.

Step Three: Add the milk and butter to the potatoes, and mash as you would in order to make “regular” mashed potatoes.

Tip: Reheat the mixture in the microwave to help with mashing.

Step Four: Set aside 1 cup of cheese and 1/2 of the bacon. Mix and mash — (or SMASH!), all of the other ingredients into the bowl, (except for the chives).

Step Five: Spoon the mashed potato mixture back into the potato skins and place them back on to the cookie sheet. Next sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon on top.

Tip: I like to pre-mix the bacon and cheese in a separate bowl before sprinkling it onto the potatoes. This helps to ensure and even-distribution to each potato!

Step Six: Place the potatoes back into the oven bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or until the cheese is melted on top.

Step Seven: Sprinkle fresh chives on top, serve with sour cream, and enjoy!