So this week I really… ReallyYou can’t call this a recipe. Instead, I’ll call them easy dinner ideas. Baked potato bars are such a fun, delicious and easy meal.
Baked potato toppings are easy to customize to suit your family’s preferences. For example, my crew hates sour cream. So obviously the list of topping ideas doesn’t include that lol. I usually use bacon, but sometimes I mix it in to make seasoned ground meat. (beef, turkey, or venison) Use Tex-Mex toppings instead (corn, beans, cilantro, salsa, etc.). We love roasted broccoli, but then again, almost any vegetable will work here. (I recommend frying the vegetables.). The sky is the limit. It’s all inspired by the humble baked potato.
When we hosted large groups, we sometimes served baked potato bars. If each family member brings their favorite toppings, a bag of potatoes will go a long way. It’s separated by ingredient, so you can put only what you like on it, making it a simple meal that can accommodate a variety of food allergies.
This post is part of the $10 Dinner Ideas series brought to you by Brigette from our team. Every week, she shares easy, delicious, and affordable family dinner ideas that cost less than $10 to make, use everyday ingredients, and are super quick to make.
Baked potato bar menu:
- baked potato
- roasted broccoli
- Toppings: bacon, shredded cheese, butter, chopped green onions (Any other toppings you want to add!)
Baked potato bar ingredients:
- 6 large potatoes (about 5 pounds) (Aldi – $3.49 for 10 pounds) —$1.75
- 4 tablespoons olive oil (Aldi — $7.25 for 33 tablespoons) — $0.88
- 1 pound bacon (or meat of your choice) (Publishing) — $3.25
- salt
- 1/3 bag of green onions (Aldi — $0.95 per bag) — $0.32
- 6 tablespoons butter (Aldi — $0.85 per stick) — $0.68
- 1-2 cups shredded cheese(Aldi — $2.79 for 12 oz.) — $1.40
- 1 pound fresh broccoli (Harris Teeter) — 2 dollars
Dinner total: $10.28 (for 6 people)
How to make loaded potato bars:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Wash the potatoes thoroughly and pat dry. Prick with a fork.
3. Place on a cookie sheet and brush all over with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt.
4. Bake the potatoes in the oven for 55-60 minutes or until the skin is crispy and easily pierced with a fork.
5. While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon using your preferred method. (I put parchment paper on a separate rack from the potatoes and bake them in the oven.)Chop the bacon into pieces.
6. Wash, dry and cut the broccoli into small pieces. Spread the broccoli in a single layer on a new cookie sheet. (If you have parchment paper, you can line it over the pot to make cleaning easier, but there is no problem if you don’t have parchment paper.) Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
7. Roast in a 425 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown. (Do this after removing the bacon from the oven.)
8. Wash and chop the green onions.
9. Place each ingredient in separate bowls. (Shredded cheese, roasted broccoli, crumbled bacon, butter, chopped green onions). Serve baked potatoes buffet-style with a variety of toppings, and each person can top with their favorite potato.
Baked Potato Bar ($10 Family Dinner)
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material
- 6 big potatoes About 5 pounds (Aldi – $3.49 for 10 pounds) — $1.75
- 4 tablespoon olive oil Aldi — $7.25 for 33 tablespoons — $0.88
- 1 lb bacon Or your choice of meat (Publix) — $3.25
- salt
- 1/3 bag green onion Aldi — $0.95 per bag — $0.32
- 6 tablespoon butter Aldi — $0.85 per stick — $0.68
- 1-2 cup shredded cheese Aldi — $2.79 for 12 oz. — $1.40
- 1 lb fresh broccoli Harris Teeter — $2
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
-
Wash the potatoes thoroughly and pat dry. Prick with a fork.
-
Place on a cookie sheet and brush all over with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt.
-
Bake the potatoes in the oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and easily pierced with a fork.
-
While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon using your preferred method. (I put parchment paper on a separate rack from the potatoes and bake in the oven.) Cut the bacon into small pieces.
-
Wash, dry and chop the broccoli. Spread the broccoli in a single layer on a new cookie sheet. (If you have parchment paper, place it on the frying pan for easier cleanup, but there is no problem if you don’t have it.) Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
-
Roast in a 425 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown. (Do this after removing the bacon from the oven.)
-
Wash and chop the green onions.
-
Place each ingredient in separate bowls (shredded cheese, roasted broccoli, crumbled bacon, butter, and chopped green onions). Serve baked potatoes buffet-style with a variety of toppings, and each person can top with their favorite potato.
Precautions
nutrition
Frequently asked questions about Baked Potato Bar:
My family loves shredded cheese, roasted broccoli, bacon, butter, and chopped green onions. You can also add ground beef, Tex-Mex toppings, or sour cream.
My family likes crumbled bacon best, but you could also add shredded chicken, ground beef, venison, or turkey.
In addition to the toppings listed above, you can also serve it with chili, shredded Mexican chicken, shredded BBQ pork, or your favorite salad on the side.
Baked potato bars are an easy, affordable, and customizable party idea. If each family member brings their favorite toppings, a bag of potatoes will go a long way.
You can keep it warm for 1-2 hours by placing it in the oven at 200 degrees or in a slow cooker over low heat, or wrapping it in foil after cooking.
More ideas for family dinners under $10:
- whole wheat pancakes
- chicken alfredo and roasted carrots
- breakfast sandwich
- Chicken Alfredo Soup and the World’s Easiest Biscuit
- lazy lasagna casserole
- kielbasa and cabbage skillet
- Easy Chicken Noodle Soup and Easy 30 Minute Dinner Rolls
- Quiche with meat and potato crust served with flax muffins
- chicken fried rice
- Creamy tortellini soup and pumpkin crescent rolls
- homemade french bread pizza
And check out all our easy dinner recipes here!
If you make this easy family dinner, be sure to leave a review and let me know how it turned out.
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Source: Money Saving Mom® – moneysavingmom.com
