Indulge in Ultimate Comfort: Crispy Loaded Smashed Potatoes with Sargento Cheese
MASTERING THE ART OF LOADED SMASHED POTATOES
I’ve recently become an enthusiastic fan of smashed potatoes, and if you haven’t yet experienced their magic, you’re in for a treat! The allure of smashed potatoes lies in their incredible texture: beautifully crispy on the outside, yet wonderfully soft and fluffy on the inside. This makes them incredibly versatile, serving as the perfect meal, a satisfying appetizer, or even a delightful snack. With the big football game just around the corner, these would be an absolute hit, ensuring your guests have a delicious and easy-to-eat finger food option.
What makes these particular Loaded Smashed Potatoes stand out is the use of smaller potatoes. This choice is deliberate, as it naturally creates ideal individual portions that are easy to pick up and enjoy. Each bite delivers a burst of flavor and texture, making them irresistibly snackable. The preparation is straightforward, making them a fantastic addition to your culinary repertoire, whether for a busy weeknight dinner or a special gathering. It’s all about achieving that delightful crunch followed by a tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
These savory Smashed Potatoes are first baked to golden perfection, ensuring that coveted crispy skin and tender interior. But the real transformation happens when they are generously topped with two distinct and delightful Sargento® cheeses: Sargento® Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Sargento® Shredded 4 Cheese Mexican. These premium shredded cheeses are celebrated for their rich flavor and exceptional melting qualities, guaranteeing a truly gooey and irresistible layer.
Once adorned with the cheese, the potatoes are returned to the oven just long enough for the cheese to melt into a bubbling, golden blanket of deliciousness. After they emerge, hot and fragrant, the creative part begins! You can then customize them with your favorite fresh toppings. For this recipe, I’ve chosen a vibrant mix of fresh diced tomatoes, cool and creamy sour cream, fragrant cilantro, and crisp green onions. The combination of warm, cheesy potatoes with these fresh, zesty toppings creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is simply divine.
Endless Possibilities: Customizing Your Loaded Smashed Potatoes
The beauty of Loaded Smashed Potatoes lies in the endless possibilities for customization. Beyond the classic toppings, you can truly make these your own. For a heartier meal, consider adding black beans or shredded chicken for an extra boost of protein, along with a dollop of your favorite salsa to amplify the flavor profile. Other fantastic additions include crispy bacon bits, a sprinkle of fresh chives, a dollop of guacamole, or even some spicy jalapeños for those who enjoy a kick. You could even turn them into a breakfast delight by topping them with a fried egg and a dash of hot sauce!
However, for a dedicated cheese enthusiast like myself, the highlight of these potatoes is undeniably the cheese! I firmly believe that you can never have too much cheese, and these potatoes are the perfect canvas for a generous layering. And with Sargento® Shredded Cheeses – specifically the Sharp Cheddar and 4 Cheese Mexican varieties – you never have to worry about leftovers. These two bags are a staple in my kitchen, versatile enough to inspire a multitude of delicious, cheesy creations that I’m excited to share with you.
The Sargento Difference: Real Cheese for Real People
Today’s show-stopping Loaded Smashed Potatoes proudly feature Sargento® Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Sargento® Shredded 4 Cheese Mexican. Sargento® holds a special place as my preferred cheese brand, not just for its exceptional taste and quality, but also for personal reasons. My husband hails from Wisconsin, a state renowned for its cheese production, so supporting a brand that embodies that rich heritage resonates deeply with us. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate his roots and our shared love for excellent cheese.
Beyond personal ties, I particularly appreciate that Sargento® Shredded Cheese is consistently shredded from authentic blocks of real, natural cheese. This commitment to quality is paramount, as it means I’m serving my family pure, wholesome ingredients without unnecessary additives. This transparency and dedication to natural cheese make me feel good about every meal I prepare. Sargento’s initiative to cultivate a community of “Real Cheese People™” – individuals who proudly express their preferences, passion, and profound love for genuine cheese – is something I wholeheartedly support. Truly great-tasting meals always begin with the superior flavor and quality of cheese sliced fresh from the block.
Beyond Smashed Potatoes: More Cheesy Creations with Sargento
As a true cheese lover, I’m thrilled to share some of my other favorite ways to incorporate Sargento® Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Sargento® Shredded 4 Cheese Mexican into family-friendly meals. These ideas highlight the versatility of Sargento cheeses, proving they are essential for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a quick snack. Keep these recipes in mind the next time you stock up on these fantastic shredded varieties!
First up is the incredibly popular Chicken Feta Cheddar Pita Pitza. This creative spin on traditional pizza is an absolute favorite with my kids. It’s refreshingly simple, requiring just four key ingredients: fluffy pita bread as the base, savory shredded chicken, tangy feta cheese, and of course, Sargento® Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Once assembled, these mini-pizzas are toasted to perfection, allowing the cheeses to melt beautifully, and then finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. These pita pitzas are not only a fun and easy dinner option but also make for a delightful and quick lunch!
For those colder days, or any time you crave a comforting meal, I love preparing this Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili. This hearty and flavorful soup is packed with nutritious beans and vegetables, creating a rich base that’s just begging to be loaded up. A generous topping of Sargento® Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese and your other favorite chili garnishes elevates this dish to new heights. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make, often ready in 30 minutes or less of active prep time. Simply combine your ingredients, let it simmer in a pot (or slow cooker for even less fuss), and you’ll have a delicious meal. It’s perfect for tailgating events, a crisp autumn evening, and the leftovers freeze exceptionally well for future enjoyment.
Another beloved meal I frequently make for my family are these Slow Cooker 4 Ingredient Shredded Beef Tacos. You know how much I adore my slow cooker, and these tacos truly showcase its magic. The beef turns out incredibly tender, juicy, and makes for fantastic leftovers. These tacos are the epitome of a simple weeknight meal, requiring minimal effort but delivering maximum flavor. You can easily set it up in the slow cooker before you start your day, and return home to a delicious dinner already waiting for you.
This recipe relies on just four straightforward ingredients to create a remarkably flavorful taco filling: a chuck roast, zesty salsa verde, fresh onion, and aromatic garlic. Once the tender beef is ready to be shredded, it’s time to assemble your tacos. Load them up generously with Sargento® Shredded 4 Cheese Mexican (or Sharp Cheddar for a different kick!), a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and finely diced red onion for that perfect crunch and zing. These tacos are a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with quality cheese, can create an extraordinary meal.
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below! Subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on
Facebook,
Instagram, or
Pinterest for the latest.
Loaded Smashed Potatoes
Pin
Ingredients
- 1 lb. red potatoes, medium sized
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup Mexican cheese, shredded (Sargento®)
- 1/2 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded (Sargento®)
- 1/2 cup tomatoes, freshly chopped
- 2 Tablespoons sour cream
- 4 green onions, green parts chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, loosely packed, chopped
Instructions
-
Put the potatoes in a large saucepan (preferably in one layer) and cover with at least an inch of water. Add 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt to the water.
-
Bring the water to a boil over medium high heat, reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender. It took me about 25-30 minutes to cook.
-
Remove the potatoes from the water and set them on a clean dishtowel and use another clean towel to dry them. Let the potatoes sit for 2 minutes.
-
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
-
On a nonstick baking sheet place the potatoes. Using a potato masher or the back of a fork mash each potato until almost flat.
-
In a small mixing bowl combine the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Using a brush, brush each potato with the olive oil mixture on both sides of the potato.
-
Roast the potatoes until they are crispy and browning on the edges, about 25-30 minutes.
-
Remove the potatoes from the oven and sprinkle each potato with the two cheeses. Return the pan to the oven for 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
-
Remove from the oven and top with tomatoes, sour cream, green onion and cilantro {or whatever your favorite toppings are}.
Notes
- You can use whatever medium sized potato you like.
- I have always enjoyed red or the yellow potatoes when doing smashed potatoes.
- Try adding things like black beans, shredded chicken, corn and salsa. Get creative!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.