Twice-Baked Pesto Mashed Potatoes

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Go green (basil pesto) or red (sun-dried tomato pesto) to make this next-level twice-baked mashed potatoes recipe. Pesto mashed potatoes are stuffed inside a baked potato shell for a starchy side dish you'll crave again and again.

Twice-Baked Pesto Mashed Potatoes
Photo: Andy Lyons
Prep Time:
25 mins
Bake Time:
1 hrs 30 mins
Stand Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 5 mins
Servings:
8

Ingredients

  • 4 12-ounce russet potatoes

  • ½ cup basil or dried tomato pesto

  • ½ cup shredded Pecorino-Romano cheese (2 ounces)

  • ¼ cup whole milk

  • Salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • ¼ cup pine nuts

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Scrub potatoes thoroughly with a brush; pat dry. Prick potatoes with a fork. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until tender. Remove from oven; let stand for 10 minutes. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out potato pulp, leaving 1/4-inch shells; place pulp in a medium bowl. Reduce oven temperature to 350° F.

  2. Mash potato pulp with a potato masher or an electric mixer on low speed. Add pesto, 1/4 cup of the cheese, and the milk; beat until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon the mashed potato mixture into the potato shells. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

  3. Place filled potato shells in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Bake about 10 minutes more or until nuts are toasted.

Variations:

Want extra protein? Mash a cup of cannellini beans (white kidney beans) with the potatoes. No Pecorino-Romano? Try Parmesan.

To Make Ahead

Prepare as directed through Step 2. Transfer potatoes to an airtight container; cover. Chill for up to 24 hours. Preheat oven to 350°F. Continue as directed, except bake potatoes for 30 minutes before adding pine nuts.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

271 Calories
12g Fat
33g Carbs
8g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 271
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12g 15%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 13mg 4%
Sodium 377mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 10.6mg 53%
Calcium 141.4mg 11%
Iron 2.2mg 12%
Potassium 752mg 16%
Folate, total 28.2mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.1mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.6mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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