Part of the “Make it a Meal” series that provides ideas for making a convenient food item into a meal. Baked potatoes are perfect for this as there are many, many ways to transform a simple baked potato into a hearty main dish meal.
Baked potatoes or sweet potatoes make a perfect base for many toppings that can turn them into a satisfying meal. They’re perfect for using leftovers in a new way or for adding other convenience items to make a quick, homemade meal with little effort.
An air fryer is a perfect, easy way to make baked potatoes that are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. See my post here with tips for making baked potatoes in the air fryer.
Just warm up the toppings in the microwave or on the stovetop and add to your potato. A quick no-chop salad on the side makes a super easy, filling meal.
Chili Potatoes
- Leftover or canned chili (I like Amy’s Organic Chili)
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Green onions
Baked Bean Potatoes
- Canned baked beans (try Heinz Baked beans for a British version of this)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Sloppy Joe Potatoes
- Leftover sloppy joe
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
BBQ Potatoes
- Leftover pulled pork, chicken, or brisket
- BBQ sauce
- Shredded cheese
Broccoli Cheddar Potatoes
- Frozen broccoli with cheese sauce OR broccoli cheddar soup (will be runnier)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Broccoli Cheddar and Ham Potatoes
- Frozen broccoli with cheese sauce
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Add diced leftover or deli ham
Taco Potatoes
- Leftover taco meat and/or canned black beans
- Shredded cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Salsa, sour cream, taco sauce, guacamole
Nacho Potatoes
- Leftover taco meat or rotisserie chicken
- Nacho cheese sauce
- Jalapenos, chopped tomatoes
- Guacamole, salsa, sour cream
Fajita Potatoes
- Leftover fajitas
- Shredded cheese
- Jalapenos, chopped tomatoes
- Guacamole, salsa, sour cream
Carnitas Potatoes
- Leftover carnitas
- Salsa verde
- Cojita cheese
Breakfast Burrito Potatoes
- Sausage, bacon, ham OR soyrizo for vegetarian and a couple scrambled eggs
- Shredded cheese
- Salsa
Chicken, Broccoli, and Alfredo Potatoes
- Leftover or rotisserie chicken
- Frozen or fresh broccoli
- Jarred Alfredo sauce
Pizza Potatoes
- Pepperoni or italian sausage
- Marinara sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated parmesan cheese
Italian Beef Potatoes
- Leftover shredded beef
- Pesto sauce
- Shredded parmesan cheese
- Giardiniera
Italian Meatball Potatoes
- Frozen meatballs
- Marinara sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
Swedish-like Meatball Potatoes
- Frozen meatballs
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Parsley
Indian Chickpea or Lentil Potatoes
- Canned chickpeas or canned lentils (drained and rinsed)
- Indian simmer sauce such as Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala
Indian Pouch Potatoes
- Heat and eat Indian pouch such as Tadka Dal or Tikka Vegetables
Gyro Potatoes
- Frozen or deli gyro meat
- Tzatziki sauce
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Onion
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
Chicken Shawarma Potatoes
- Leftover or frozen chicken shawarma
- Tzatziki sauce
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Onion
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
Asian Stir Fry Potatoes
- Frozen stir fry vegetables
- Jarred sauce such as teriyaki, General Tao’s, stir fry sauce
Creamed Spinach Potatoes
- Frozen creamed spinach
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Spinach Artichoke Potatoes
- Frozen spinach and artichoke dip (Trader Joe’s is good!)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
Buffalo Chicken Potatoes
- Leftover chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken
- Jarred Buffalo Wing sauce
- Ranch Dressing
Peri Peri Chicken Potatoes
- Leftover chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken
- Jarred Peri Peri sauce
Thanksgiving Leftover Potatoes
- Leftover turkey
- Leftover gravy
- Leftover stuffing
- Leftover cranberry sauce
Tuna Mayo and Cheese Potatoes
- Tuna mixed with mayonnaise
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Smoked Salmon Potatoes
- Smoked salmon
- Sour cream, greek yogurt, or cream cheese
- Fresh or dried dill