Last weekend, we hosted a little game night with a couple of neighbors—cards, laughter, and way too much soda on the table. I wanted to make something hearty enough to keep everyone fueled but still fun and easy to grab between rounds. Burgers came to mind first, but then I spotted the bag of russet potatoes sitting on my counter. That’s when it clicked: why not turn loaded baked potatoes into a barbecue cheeseburger mash-up?
The timing couldn’t have been better. While the guys were locked in an intense Uno battle, I popped the potatoes in the oven. By the time the first round was over, the kitchen smelled like cozy comfort food—smoky bacon, tangy barbecue sauce, and sharp cheddar all mingling together. It had everyone peeking in, asking, “When’s dinner ready?”
These potatoes don’t require fancy ingredients, and they stretch a pound of beef into a filling dish that easily feeds a crowd. Plus, they’re a little unexpected, which always makes me smile when I see the surprise on people’s faces. These BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Potatoes hit all the notes: cheesy, smoky, tangy, and just plain satisfying.
Short Description
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Potatoes are hearty baked russets stuffed with seasoned beef, barbecue sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese, finished with fresh toppings for a fun, family-approved meal.
Key Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup sliced jalapeños (optional)
- 1 cup chopped green onions
Tools Needed
- Baking sheet
- Fork or potato piercer
- Skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Sharp knife
- Mixing bowl
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Bake the potatoes
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub and poke the russet potatoes with a fork. Place them directly on the oven rack or a baking sheet and bake for 45–60 minutes until tender when pierced with a knife.
Step 2: Cook the beef
While the potatoes bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until beef is browned and crumbly, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed. Stir in barbecue sauce and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes. Set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the potatoes
Remove baked potatoes from the oven and let them cool slightly. Slice each potato in half lengthwise and scoop out a small portion of the flesh to create a pocket for the filling.
Step 4: Fill the potatoes
Spoon the beef mixture into each potato half. Top generously with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
Step 5: Melt the cheese
Return the filled potatoes to the oven for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Garnish and serve
Sprinkle chopped green onions and sliced jalapeños (if using) over the hot potatoes. Serve warm and enjoy.
Troubleshooting Tip: If your potatoes take too long to bake, try microwaving them for 8–10 minutes first, then finish in the oven for crispy skins.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Bold flavors: Smoky bacon, tangy BBQ, and creamy cheddar create the ultimate comfort bite.
Crowd-pleasing: Perfect for game night, potlucks, or a casual family dinner.
Easy prep: Uses everyday pantry staples and simple steps.
Customizable: Add your favorite burger toppings to make it your own.
Filling and budget-friendly: A little beef goes a long way with baked potatoes as the base.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Undercooked potatoes: If they’re still firm after baking, put them back in for 10–15 minutes or microwave briefly to soften.
Greasy filling: Drain the beef thoroughly before adding barbecue sauce to keep the mixture from becoming oily.
Soggy skins: Bake potatoes directly on the oven rack for crisper skins instead of wrapping them in foil.
Cheese not melting: Cover the pan loosely with foil during the final bake to trap heat and melt cheese evenly.
Overstuffing: Scoop out enough potato flesh to make room, or the filling will spill out during baking.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve as a main course with a side salad or roasted veggies.
Pair with iced tea, lemonade, or a light beer for casual meals.
For a game-day spread, set them out buffet-style with toppings like sour cream, pickles, or jalapeños for guests to customize.
Turn smaller potatoes into appetizer portions for parties.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat in oven: Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until warmed through.
Microwave: Heat in 1-minute intervals, but note the skin won’t be as crisp.
Freeze: Wrap stuffed potatoes in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
FAQs
1. Can I use sweet potatoes instead of russets?
Yes! They add a natural sweetness that pairs nicely with barbecue flavors.
2. What’s the best barbecue sauce for this recipe?
Any brand works, but I like a smoky or hickory-style sauce for extra depth.
3. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the stuffed potatoes up to a day ahead, then bake to melt the cheese before serving.
4. Do I have to use bacon?
No, but it adds great texture and flavor. Try turkey bacon or even crispy fried onions instead.
5. How do I make it spicier?
Add diced jalapeños to the beef mixture or use a spicy barbecue sauce.
Tips & Tricks
Rub potatoes with olive oil and salt before baking for extra-crispy skins.
Mix a little of the scooped-out potato flesh back into the beef for a thicker filling.
Use a mix of cheddar and pepper jack for a cheesier, spicier flavor.
Make it kid-friendly by leaving out jalapeños and letting little ones sprinkle on their own toppings.
Recipe Variations
Tex-Mex Style: Swap barbecue sauce for salsa, add taco seasoning, and top with sour cream and guacamole.
Breakfast Potatoes: Replace beef with scrambled eggs and sausage, then top with cheese and bacon.
Vegetarian Option: Use black beans and corn in place of beef, with barbecue sauce for flavor.
Loaded Buffalo Potatoes: Replace BBQ sauce with buffalo sauce, then top with ranch and blue cheese crumbles.
Final Thoughts
Making these BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Potatoes for game night stirred me up how food can set the tone for the whole evening. Everyone relaxed, grabbed a plate, and suddenly the table felt like the best spot in the house. I love meals that bring people together without me hovering in the kitchen all night. These potatoes do just that—simple to prepare, yet packed with flavor that makes them memorable.
They’re hearty enough to stand on their own, but playful enough that you can dress them up any way you like. I’ll definitely keep these in my back pocket for future gatherings, especially when I want something comforting but not fussy. If you try them, I hope they bring the same smiles to your table as they did to mine.
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices cooked bacon crumbled
- 1 cup sliced jalapeños optional
- 1 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub and poke russet potatoes with a fork. Bake 45–60 minutes, until tender.
- Meanwhile, cook ground beef in a skillet with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease, stir in barbecue sauce, and simmer 1–2 minutes.
- Let baked potatoes cool slightly, then slice in half and scoop out a bit of the center. Fill with beef mixture, top with cheddar and crumbled bacon.
- Return to oven for 10–15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with green onions and jalapeños if using. Serve warm.
