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Beefy-Cheesy Spud Bowls




Source of Recipe


Mpls. Star Tribune


Recipe Introduction


Note: Several companies make salsa-cheese sauce, and it is often shelved near the tortilla chips. For testing purposes, we used Tostitos Salsa Con Queso.


List of Ingredients




1 lb. 93 percent lean ground beef, fresh or frozen
1 tsp. olive oil
1 large onion (for about 1 c. chopped)
2 tsp. bottled minced garlic
1 large ripe tomato or 3 Roma tomatoes (for about 1 c. chopped)
3/4 c. prepared Mexican-style salsa-cheese sauce (see Note)
4 already baked potatoes, about 1 lb. each (see below)
Avocado chunks, optional topping


Recipe



If the beef is frozen, run it under warm water to remove any packaging. Place the beef on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave, uncovered on high, for 2 minutes to begin defrosting.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet on medium heat. Peel and coarsely chop the onion, adding it to the skillet as you chop. Add the fresh or partially defrosted beef and the garlic. Cook until the beef is crumbed and browned, about 5 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently.

While the beef cooks, core the tomato and cut it into bite-size pieces. Set aside. Microwave the cheese sauce in its jar, uncovered on high, for 30 seconds so that it will be easier to pour. If the baked potatoes are cold, microwave them two at a time, uncovered on high, until they are heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes.

When the beef is cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat. Add the salsa-cheese sauce and stir well. Place each potato on a plate, cut it almost in half and use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze the potato toward its center, forming a bowl. Divide the beef mixture evenly into each potato bowl. Sprinkle the chopped tomato on top, along with the avocado chunks, if desired. Serve at once.

To bake potatoes: Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Scrub potato skins and prick each potato twice with a fork. Bake, uncovered, directly on the middle oven rack until potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, about 50 minutes to 1 hour.

Serves 4