Baked potato toppings can be easily customized based on your family’s preferences. For example, my crew absolutely hates sour cream. So obviously we’re not including that in our list of topping ideas, haha. Usually we use bacon, but sometimes I mix it up and add seasoned ground beef (beef, turkey or game) and go with Tex-Mex toppings instead (corn, beans, cilantro, salsa, etc.). We love roasted broccoli, but again, almost any vegetable can work here (although I do recommend roasting the vegetables). The sky is the limit, and the frugal baked potato is the inspiration behind it all!
I’ve even served a baked potato bar when hosting large groups of people. If each family brings their favorite topping, a bag of potatoes goes a long way. It’s an easy meal that works well for various food allergies because each ingredient is kept separate and people can only carry the things they like.
This post is part of our $10 Dinner Ideas series brought to you by Brigette from our team! Each week she shares simple, delicious and affordable family-friendly dinner ideas that cost less than $10 to make, using everyday ingredients and super quick meals.
Fried Potato Bar Menu:
- Baked Potatoes
- Roasted Broccoli
- Toppings: bacon, shredded cheese, butter, chopped green onions (and whatever other toppings you want to add!)
Ingredients for Baked Potato Bar:
- 6 large potatoes (about 5 pounds) (Aldi – $3.49 for 10 pounds) — $1.75
- 4 Tablespoons of olive oil (Aldi — $7.25 for 33 tablespoons) — $0.88
- 1 pound bacon (or other meat of your choice) (Publix) –$3.25
- salty
- 1/3 bag green onions (Aldi — $0.95 for 1 bag) — $0.32
- 6 Tablespoons of butter (Aldi — $0.85 per stick) — $0.68
- 1-2 cups of grated cheese (Aldi – $2.79 for 12 ounces) – $1.40
- 1 pound fresh broccoli (Harris Teeter) — $2
Total for dinner: $10.28 (for 6 people)
How to make a loaded potato bar:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Wash the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. Prick them with a fork.
3. Place them on a baking tray and rub them all over with olive oil. Sprinkle liberally with salt.
4. Bake the potatoes in the oven for 55-60 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and you can easily pierce it with a fork.
5. While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon using your preferred method. (I cook it in the oven on a baking sheet on a different rack than the potatoes.) Break the bacon into pieces.
6. Wash and dry the broccoli and cut it into pieces. On a new baking sheet, spread the broccoli in a single layer. (If you have parchment paper, you can line the pan with it for easy cleanup, but it works fine without it.) Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
7. Roast in the oven at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and starting to brown. (I do this as soon as I take the bacon out of the oven.)
8. Wash and chop the green onions.
9. Place each ingredient in a separate bowl (Grated cheese, roasted broccoli, crumbled bacon, butter, chopped green onions). Serve the fried potatoes buffet style next to the various toppings and let everyone top their potatoes as desired!
Baked Potato Bar ($10 Family Dinner)
A baked potato bar is a fun, tasty, and simple meal that can be easily customized based on your family’s preferences.
Ingredients
- 6 large potatoes about 5 lbs (Aldi – $3.49 for 10 lbs) – $1.75
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil Aldi — $7.25 for 33 tablespoons — $0.88
- 1 pound bacon or any meat of your choice (Publix) – $3.25
- salty
- 1/3 bag green onions Aldi — $0.95 for 1 bag — $0.32
- 6 Tablespoons butter Aldi – $0.85 per stick – $0.68
- 1-2 cups grated cheese Aldi – $2.79 for 12 ounces – $1.40
- 1 pound Fresh broccoli Harris Teeter – $2
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Wash the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. Prick them with a fork.
Place them on a baking tray and rub them all over with olive oil. Sprinkle liberally with salt.
Bake the potatoes in the oven for 55-60 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and you can easily pierce it with a fork.
While the potatoes are baking, cook the bacon according to your preferred method. (I cook it in the oven on a baking sheet on a separate rack from the potatoes.) Break the bacon into pieces.
Wash and dry the broccoli and cut it into pieces. On a new baking sheet, spread the broccoli in a single layer. (If you have parchment paper, you can line the pan with it for easy cleanup, but without parchment paper it works fine.) Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Roast in the oven at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and starting to brown. (I do this as soon as I take the bacon out of the oven.)
Wash and chop the green onions.
Place each ingredient in a separate bowl (grated cheese, roasted broccoli, crumbled bacon, butter, chopped green onions). Serve the fried potatoes buffet style next to the various toppings and let everyone top their potatoes as desired!
Comments
Usually we use bacon, but sometimes I mix it up and add seasoned ground beef (beef, turkey or game) and go with Tex-Mex toppings instead (corn, beans, cilantro, salsa, etc.). We love roasted broccoli, but again, almost any vegetable can work here (although I do recommend roasting the vegetables). The sky is the limit, and the frugal baked potato is the inspiration behind it all!
Power supply
Calories: 864kcal | Carbohydrates: 71G | Egg white: 23G | Fat: 55G | Saturated fat: 21G | Polyunsaturated fat: 7G | Monounsaturated fat: 24G | Trans fat: 1G | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 755mg | Potassium: 1960mg | Fiber: 10G | Sugar: 4G | Vitamin A: 983IU | Vitamin C: 140mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 4mg
Do you love this recipe?
Make sure to share and save it to your favorite platform below!
Frequently Asked Questions about Baked Potato Bar:
My family likes 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 the most, but you can also add shredded chicken or ground beef, venison or turkey.
A baked potato bar is an easy, affordable, and adaptable party idea! If each family brings their favorite topping, a bag of potatoes goes a long way.
You can keep them warm for 1-2 hours by placing them in a 200 degree oven, over low heat in the slow cooker, or wrapping them in foil after cooking.
More family dinner ideas under $10:
And be sure to check out all of our easy dinner recipes here!
If you make this easy family dinner, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out!
FREE menu plan for one week!
Ready-made dinner recipes with simple ingredients and a shopping list!
Interactions with readers
Money Saving Mom® Comment Policy
We love reader comments, so share your thoughts below! We do our best to keep this blog upbeat and encouraging Please keep your comments friendly and kind. Learn more about our comment policy.
#Baked #Potato #Bar #Family #Dinner #Idea