Skip to main content

Southwestern Stuffed Potatoes

Potatoes are topped with southwest-style toppings for a simple and tasty microwave meal.
Video

Cooking for a Crowd

Cooking for a Crowd

Use these recipe sheets to prepare for larger groups:

Platter of potatoes stuffed with beans, corn, salsa and sprinkled with melted cheese.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 potato halves
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

2 medium potatoes (about 5x2½-inches each)
1 cup black beans (cooked or canned, drained and rinsed)
¾ cup salsa  (try Food Hero's Salsa Roja or Salsa Verde)
1 cup corn (canned and drained, frozen, or fresh cooked)
½ cup shredded cheese (try cheddar, pepper jack or Mexican blend)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Scrub potatoes under running water. Poke each potato with a fork 2 or 3 times. Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes, turn potatoes over, and microwave another 3 to 5 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. Set aside.
  3. In a microwave safe bowl, combine beans, salsa and corn. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
  4. Cut potatoes in half length-wise and flatten with a fork. Divide bean mixture between the four halves. Sprinkle with cheese and serve warm.
  5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Try kidney or pinto beans instead of black beans.
  • Add leftover cooked chicken, turkey or ground beef.
  • Topping ideas: chopped cilantro, hot sauce, avocado, black olives, green onion, cooked meat or tofu, plain low-fat yogurt or sour cream.

Comments

Super quick weeknight dinner!  Since not everyone in our family likes the same ingredients we let everyone top their potato with whatever they want!  Which makes it extra fun having everyone "cook their own"

I love how simple this recipe is. I made this with a green salad for dinner!

As an adult, I love all the ingredients in this recipe, but it's a little intimidating for kids...so much STUFF piled on top of the potatoes.  We just prepared this as part of a kids cooking daycamp featuring Food Hero recipes.  The kids enjoyed using the microwave for cooking.  I asked them all to take at least one bite "as is" so they could do the Kid's Tasting Survey, so they did.  Most of the kids liked them, especially with kid-friendly cheese melted on top. 

Three cheers to the kids for tasting even though it looked a little intimidating!  It might look more 'kid firendly' if the servings sizes were smaller or the potatoes were flattened a little more so they spread out more to hold the toppings.  Kids are more likely to taste foods they help make. 

The Food Hero Team

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Honey Mustard Dressing
Bottle of dressing displayed with a salad.

Honey Mustard Dressing

This homemade yogurt-based honey mustard dressing is sweet and tangy!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
12 tablespoons
Garlic Ginger Ramen with Beef
Bowl of ramen noodles and vegetables shown with a renge spoon.

Garlic Ginger Ramen with Beef

A dinner that is ready in under 30 minutes and packed with fresh ginger and garlic flavor.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 Cups
One-Pan Spaghetti
Big bowl of spaghetti topped with grated parmesan cheese.

One-Pan Spaghetti

Spaghetti ingredients simmer together in one pot for a simple and tasty meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Stir-Fry Noodles with Peanut Sauce
Plate of stir-fried noodles with chicken and vegetables.

Stir-Fry Noodles with Peanut Sauce

Make your own stir fry ramen noodles with chicken, vegetables and a creamy peanut sauce.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Farmers Market Salsa
Colorful vegetable bean salsa.

Farmers Market Salsa

Fresh homemade salsa with the perfect hint of spice and lime.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Baked Apple and Cranberries
Four cored apples filled with cranberries, butter and brown sugar are baked, broiled and displayed on a serving plate.

Baked Apple and Cranberries

Warm apples and cinnamon combined with sweet-tart cranberries make this flavorful low-sugar dessert!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
1 Apple