Get ready to transform the classic baked potato into a mouthwatering pizza-inspired masterpiece that will make your taste buds dance! Imagine the crispy potato skins loaded with gooey mozzarella, zesty pizza sauce, and all the delicious toppings of your favorite pizza, but in a totally unexpected form. These Pizza Twice Baked Potatoes are about to become your new obsession - a perfect blend of comfort food and pizza night that will have everyone at the table begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 60 mins
Total Time: 75 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup cooked Italian sausage, crumbled
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Thoroughly wash the russet potatoes and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Pierce each potato multiple times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking. Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Place potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until they are completely tender when pierced with a fork. The skin should be crisp and golden.
- Remove potatoes from the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes until they are safe to handle. Slice each potato lengthwise and carefully scoop out the interior, leaving a thin layer of potato attached to the skin to maintain the potato shell's structure.
- In a mixing bowl, mash the potato flesh and mix with half the mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper. Ensure the mixture is well combined and creamy.
- In a separate pan, brown the Italian sausage if not already cooked. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- Fill each potato skin with the mashed potato mixture. Top with pizza sauce, crumbled sausage, diced bell peppers, and black olives.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the filled potato skins.
- Return the potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped green onions. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve hot and enjoy your Pizza Twice Baked Potatoes as a hearty main dish or appetizer.
Tips
- Choose large, uniform russet potatoes for the best results and most consistent baking.
- Make sure to thoroughly pierce the potatoes before baking to prevent them from potentially exploding in the oven.
- Let the potatoes cool slightly before scooping out the flesh to make handling easier and prevent burns.
- For extra crispy potato skins, brush with a little olive oil before the final bake.
- Don't overmix the potato filling - keep it slightly chunky for the best texture.
- Feel free to customize your toppings! Try pepperoni, different cheeses, or even swap the sausage for vegetarian alternatives.
- If you want to prep ahead, you can complete steps 1-7 in advance and refrigerate until ready to do the final bake.
- Use a hot oven (425°F) to ensure the cheese melts perfectly and the edges get crispy.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 55mg
