Make Ahead Baked Potatoes Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Wash potatoes and pat dry.
• Place potatoes, not touching, on a large baking sheet.
• You may need two baking sheets.
• Spray potatoes generously with non-stick cooking spray.
• Sprinkle outside of potatoes with a little salt.
• Bake 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until potatoes "give" when gently squeezed, indicating they are done.
• In large mixing bowl, add butter, cream cheese, salt and pepper and mix well.
• With a serrated knife, cut baked potatoes in half lengthwise, being careful to leave skins unbroken.
• With large spoon, scoop out the inside of potatoes, leaving a thin layer of potato attached to the inside of the skin.
• Place potato skin shells, skin side down, on the baking sheet used to bake the potatoes.
• Put scooped out potato in mixing bowl as you remove it and mix to combine with butter mixture, adding skim milk as needed to make potatoes the consistency of slightly stiff mashed potatoes.
• You may need a little more or less milk to get the final desired consistency.
• Using the palm of your hand to support the potato shell while filling, spoon and press potato mixture into each half potato shell.
• Return filled shell to baking sheet.
• Sprinkle with shredded cheese and pat cheese to make it adhere to the potatoes.
• TO SERVE IMMEDIATELY: Return baking pan of potatoes to oven and bake about 15-25 minutes until potatoes are hot and cheese is melted.
• TO FREEZE FOR LATER USE: Cover potatoes with plastic wrap and place baking sheet in freezer, leaving several hours until potatoes are completely frozen.
• Remove potatoes from freezer and wrap each potato in a resealable plastic sandwich bag.
• Place wrapped potatoes into one or more gallon resealable freezer bags.
• Store in freezer for up to 3 months.
• TO COOK FROZEN POTATOES: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Place potatoes on baking sheet and loosely cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake about 45 minutes.
• Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or more until potatoes are hot.
• Do not over bake.
• This method keeps the potato skins firm and crisp.
• If time is short, place potatoes in microwave and cook on high about 10 minutes.
• Remove and then place in 350°F oven to finish cooking.
• IN A BIG HURRY: These potatoes can be completely heated from frozen state in the microwave, heating them just until they are hot.
• Potato skins will be softer than if cooked in the oven.
• OR, they can be defrosted in the microwave and reheated, uncovered, in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until hot.

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a Dutch oven or large kettle; cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are tender. , Drain potatoes and place in a bowl; mash. Add sour cream, cream cheese, 4 tablespoons butter, onion and salt; stir until smooth and the cream cheese and butter are melted. Spread in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. , Melt the remaining butter; drizzle over the potatoes. Sprinkle with paprika. Refrigerate or bake immediately, covered, at 350° for 40 minutes; uncover and bake 20 minutes longer. If potatoes are made ahead and refrigerated, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

Steps:

• Prick potatoes in several places. Microwave on HIGH 6 to 8 min. or until tender, turning over and rearranging after 3 min. Cool 5 min.
• Cut thin slice off top of each potato. Discard tops; scoop out centers into medium bowl, leaving 1/8-inch-thick shells. Mash potato flesh. Add cream cheese spread, milk, cheese and bacon; mix well. Spoon into potato shells; wrap individually in foil. Refrigerate up to 24 hours.
• Heat grill to medium heat. Unwrap potatoes; place on grill grate. Grill 15 min. or until heated through.

Steps:

• Lightly scrub the potatoes. Put them in a large stockpot, fill with cold water to cover by about 2 inches and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a strong simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender in the center, 50 to 55 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes in a colander in the sink. Let cool enough so that you can handle them, about 10 minutes. It is important that the potatoes do not cool too much because they will mash more easily when hot.
• Meanwhile, add the butter to the same pot that you used to cook the potatoes (no need to clean it). Melt completely over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Heat 3/4 cup of the cream in a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl until steaming and set aside.
• Holding the potatoes in a clean kitchen towel, gently peel the skins off with a paring knife. Quarter the potatoes and put them in the pot along with 2 1/2 teaspoons salt. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until smooth and fluffy (see Cook's Note).
• Add the cream and stir until combined. Season with pepper and additional salt if needed. Allow to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 3 months.
• To reheat refrigerated mashed potatoes: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spoon the mashed potatoes into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Drizzle with the remaining 1/2 cup cream. Stir until combined, making sure there are no pools of cream at bottom of the baking dish.
• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and gently stir the mashed potatoes. Cover again and continue to bake until the potatoes are hot and steamy, 20 to 25 minutes more. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• To reheat frozen mashed potatoes: Thaw the potatoes completely in the refrigerator and cook according to the same directions as refrigerated potatoes but do not add cream. The potatoes might seem watery at first but will thicken as they heat up.
• Transfer the hot mashed potatoes to a large bowl for serving.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Place potatoes in a large pot of lightly salted water. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, and mash.
• In a large bowl, mix mashed potatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, onion salt, and pepper. Transfer to a large casserole dish.
• Cover, and bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Scrub the potato, and pierce the skin several times with a knife or fork. Rub the skin with olive oil, then with salt.
• Place the potato in the preheated oven, and bake for 90 minutes, or until slightly soft and golden brown. Slice the potato down the center, and serve with butter and black pepper. Sprinkle shredded Cheddar cheese over the top, if desired.

Steps:

• Place whole potatoes in a large stockpot; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat 1/4 cup butter over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook and stir 2-4 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour until blended; gradually whisk in milk, salt, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes., Peel and cube potatoes when cool enough to handle. Press through a potato ricer or strainer into a large bowl; stir in cheddar cheese, sour cream, mushroom mixture, onion and remaining butter. Transfer potato mixture to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Preheat oven to 375°. Remove potatoes from refrigerator; uncover and let stand while oven heats. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, until heated through, 55-65 minutes.

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a saucepan; add water to cover and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 25 minutes or until pototoes are tender.
• Drain.
• Peel potatoes; place in a large mixing bowl, and mash with a potato masher.
• Add 2 tablespoons butter, cream cheese, sour cream, milk and 3/4 teaspoon salt.
• Mix until all ingredients are blended.
• Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 12X8X2-inch baking dish.
• Brush top of mixture with melted butter; sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake immediately, or cover and refrigerate.
• If refrigerated, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
• Bake at 350F, uncovered for 30 minutes or until hot.