Twice Baked Potatoes

We LOVE Twice Baked Potatoes.  I have some shortcuts to make them easier to make for an everyday meal.  First of all I always make 7-10 potatoes at a time, which makes 14-20 servings.  They freeze really well, and then they just need to be pulled out of the freezer and re-baked to make them as yummy as the first time!

You need:

7-10 large russet potatoes
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup milk
1 cup ranch dressing OR sour cream
9-12 pieces bacon, cooked and chopped into pieces
3 cups shredded chees
6-9 green onions sliced

Heat oven to 350.  Clean potatoes well.  Pierce the skin of each potato two to three times.  Bake the potatoes for about 90 minutes in the oven.  They are done when a fork slides easily into the middle of the potato without "stabbing" it.  Cook the bacon while the potatoes are baking.  Cut each potato in half lengthwise.  BE CAREFUL; THEY'RE HOT!!!!

Holding a half of the potato in a hot pad, use a spoon to scrape out the potato, leaving only the skin for a shell.  Scrape the potato into a large mixing bowl.

Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.  Put each shell on the cookie sheet as you scrape out the remaining potatoes.

Now, put the butter, milk, and sour cream or ranch into the potatoes and mix until blended.  Add the green onions and bacon.

Blend until just mixed.  Add in the cheese.  Blend well.

Using a large spoon, scoop the potato mixture into the potato shells.  They should be just overstuffed.  Sprinkle on some paprika for color, if desired. 

Bake at 350 until warmed through.  Serve nice and hot.

Helpful Hints:

1. You can cook the potatoes in the microwave, if you need a speedier version.  However, the potato skins won't be very crunchy.  You need to be very careful when scraping out the potato because the skin will tear easily.
2. To save time on bacon, I cook 2-3 pounds at a time.  Then I freeze it in a ziplock bag.  When I need some for a recipe, it's already there, cooked, and ready to use!
3. To freeze the potatoes, wrap each cooled potato in plastic wrap.  Put in a ziplock bag in a single layer.  Don't squish them.  Freeze.  To re-heat, remove from bag and plastic wrap.  Bake at 350 until warmed through.  Do not thaw first.  It takes about 45-60 min. to get them nice and hot.