If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort dinner with a steakhouse twist, the Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites will absolutely hit the spot! Imagine perfectly fluffy baked potatoes, nestled with juicy Cajun steak bites and drenched in a golden parmesan cream sauce—it’s hearty, satisfying, and a total crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Steakhouse Vibes at Home: This dish delivers everything you love about a steak dinner in a cozy, portable package—no reservations required!
- Flavor Bomb: Fluffy, salt-crusted baked potatoes, garlicky Cajun steak, and a creamy, cheesy sauce deliver layers of rich flavor in every bite.
- Hands-On Customization: Everyone can build their Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites just the way they like—get creative with toppings, sauces, or spice levels.
- Perfect for Sharing: This recipe makes four generously stuffed potatoes—great for impressing family and friends or treating yourself to the ultimate comfort meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of real, fresh ingredients to make this show-stopping Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites. Each one serves a crucial purpose—giving you that wow-worthy flavor, velvety texture, and steakhouse-worthy finish from your own kitchen.
- Russet potatoes: Their sturdy skins and fluffy interiors make them the perfect vessel for holding all that delicious steak and sauce.
- Olive oil & sea salt: When rubbed over the potatoes, they form a perfect crisp shell and add flavor right from the start.
- Steak (NY strip, ribeye, sirloin, or tenderloin): Choose your favorite cut and budget; the steak is the star, so pick something you love!
- Cajun seasoning: This infuses the steak bites with that craveable savory, smoky kick.
- Garlic & butter: The backbone of luscious, aromatic flavor for your steak and the Parmesan cream sauce.
- Avocado oil: Its higher smoke point helps sear the steak bites beautifully!
- Heavy cream & parmesan: The duo that creates a rich, creamy, flavor-packed sauce to drizzle all over each potato.
- Fresh parsley & lemon juice: Bright finishes that cut through the richness and bring balance to the dish.
- Red pepper flakes & cracked black pepper: Offer just the right touch of spice and heat.
- Kosher salt: For perfectly seasoned steak bites and that final flavor pop.
Variations
If you love to make a recipe your own, you’ll be thrilled by all the playful ways to riff on this Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites. Feel free to swap out ingredients, adjust the spice, or make it fit your family’s tastes perfectly.
- Swap the Protein: Not feeling steak tonight? Try chicken bites, roasted shrimp, or even crispy tofu for a different twist.
- Dairy-Free Dream: Easily make it dairy-free by using plant-based butter and coconut cream with vegan parmesan for the sauce.
- Up the Veg: Toss in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted peppers for even more flavor and a veggie boost.
- Cheese Lovers Unite: Mix in sharp cheddar or crumbled blue cheese for a bold, decadent finish.
How to Make Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites
Step 1: Bake the Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F and lining a baking tray with parchment paper. Give your potatoes a quick scrub and dry, then rub each with olive oil and roll them in sea salt. Place them on the tray and bake for 50–60 minutes—you want the outside crisp and salty, while the inside turns pillowy and soft. No need to poke the skins—keeping them whole helps lock in the steam!
Step 2: Cook the Steak Bites
As your potatoes bake, turn your attention to the star protein. Trim any excess fat or silver skin off your steak, then cut it into bite-sized 2-inch cubes. Toss them with avocado oil and a hearty sprinkle of Cajun seasoning. Sear in a hot skillet with more avocado oil, letting them get a gorgeous crust before flipping. Once nearly cooked, scoot the steak to one side, melt in butter and garlic, then toss everything together for that irresistible garlic butter gloss.
Step 3: Make the Parmesan Cream Sauce
Don’t wipe out your skillet—those steak juices are gold! Instead, add more butter and garlic, give it a quick sauté, then whisk in the heavy cream. Let it bubble and reduce for a few minutes, infusing all those roasty flavors. Whisk in parmesan, red pepper flakes, and crank the heat just enough to thicken the sauce. Then, finish with parsley and a squeeze of lemon for the perfect creamy tang.
Step 4: Assemble Your Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites
Now for the magic moment! Drop each hot potato onto the pan from about a foot up—this little “whack” loosens up the insides. Slice them down the middle, fluff up the steamy potato with a fork, and spread a little butter inside. Pile in the steak bites and spoon the luscious parmesan cream sauce generously over the top. Hit each with extra parsley or finishing salt if you’re feeling fancy!
Pro Tips for Making Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites
- The Potato Drop: Giving your potatoes a gentle smack after baking fluffs up their interiors perfectly—don’t skip this little trick for ultimate pillowy results!
- High-Heat Sear: Using avocado oil and letting your skillet get truly hot guarantees those steak bites get a gorgeous golden crust without overcooking.
- Sauce Consistency: Let the cream reduce and the parmesan fully melt before taking the sauce off heat for the silkiest drape over your potatoes.
- Serving Fresh: For the very best experience, serve your Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites right after assembly while everything is piping hot and creamy!
How to Serve Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites
Garnishes
Add an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor, or try a dusting of smoked paprika for depth. A final shaving of parmesan or a little lemon zest on top can make each Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites feel totally restaurant-worthy!
Side Dishes
This dish is pretty much a meal on its own, but you can round it out with a crisp green salad, roasted broccoli, or grilled asparagus for a touch of brightness. For an ultra-indulgent experience, serve with garlic bread to soak up every last bit of that luscious cream sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving family-style on a big platter dotted with steak bites and potatoes—let everyone build their own. Or turn this into a fun steakhouse “bar” for game nights: set out toppings like crumbled bacon, caramelized onions, chopped scallions, and different sauces so guests can design their dream Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (lucky you!), store the potatoes, steak bites, and cream sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days, making lunch or round-two dinner an absolute treat.
Freezing
You can freeze the steak bites and potatoes separately, but cream sauces tend to separate and lose their smoothness after thawing. For the best results, freeze just the potato and steak, then make the sauce fresh when you’re ready to serve again.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the potatoes and steak bites in a 350°F oven covered with foil until heated through. Gently reheat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of cream if it needs loosening. Then assemble your Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites as usual and enjoy!
FAQs
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Can I make Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the potatoes and prepare the steak bites a day in advance. Store everything separately. Warm them up, make the parmesan sauce fresh, and assemble just before serving for the best results.
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What’s the best potato for this recipe?
Russet potatoes are ideal because they have thick skins for crispiness and a fluffy interior that soaks up all that delicious sauce and steak juice. Yukon Golds will work too, though they’ll be slightly creamier and less fluffy in texture.
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How spicy is the parmesan cream sauce?
The red pepper flakes boost the flavor with just a subtle warmth. If you’re sensitive to spice, use the lower end of the recommended amount, or leave it out entirely—it will still be fabulous!
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Can I customize toppings for the Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites?
Definitely! You can load your potatoes with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, jalapeños, extra shredded cheese, sour cream, or even a sprinkle of chives—let your cravings lead the way.
Final Thoughts
I hope you get a chance to try this Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites soon—it’s guaranteed to turn any weeknight into something special! There’s just nothing more satisfying than a perfect, fork-tender potato loaded to the max with bold, buttery steak and creamy sauce. Grab your favorite toppings and dig in—you deserve it!
Print
Loaded Baked Potato with Steak Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 steak-stuffed potatoes 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Indulge in a decadent meal with these loaded baked potatoes stuffed with savory steak bites and topped with a rich Parmesan cream sauce.
Ingredients
Potatoes:
- 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean and patted dry
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons sea salt for baked potato skins
Steak:
- 2 lbs steak (NY strip, ribeye, sirloin, or tenderloin)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasonings (low sodium)
- 4 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
Parmesan Cream Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2/3 cup parmesan, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
- 2 wedges lemon, juice of
- 1/2–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare potatoes: Rub potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and bake for 50-60 minutes until tender.
- Cook the steak: Cut steak into pieces, season with cajun spices, and cook in a skillet with garlic and butter.
- Make Parmesan Cream Sauce: Saute garlic in butter, add cream, parmesan, lemon juice, and parsley.
- Finish & Assemble: Fluff baked potatoes, stuff with steak, and drizzle with Parmesan cream sauce.
Notes
- For a smokier flavor, consider grilling the steak instead of pan-searing.
- Adjust the cajun seasoning to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Feel free to customize the toppings with additional herbs or cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed potato
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1250mg
- Fat: 52g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
