Double cheese jacket potato

This double cheese jacket potato is the ultimate in comfort food.

The potatoes are baked until crisp, then piled high with mozzarella and cheddar, spring onions, mustard, mayo and soy sauce before being baked again.

The result is a super flavourful, stretchy, gooey cheese atop and earthy, warm, perfectly fluffy potato. The combination is heavenly.

Whether served with a simple salad or as part of sumptuous lunch, this is baked potato and cheese on a whole new level.

Here's how to make a deliciously decadent, stretchy cheese topped baked potato you'll be sure to adore.

Instructions

To make the potatoes

Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan).

Push a skewer through each potato a few times to help steam escape and ensure even cooking. Place the potatoes on a baking tray.

Rub all over with the olive oil, then place in the oven and bake for 1 hour.

To make the cheese filling

Put the cheddar and mozzarella in a large bowl.

Add the spring onions, mayonnaise, mustard and soy sauce in a bowl.

Mix well.

When the potatoes are cooked, cut a cross into each of your potatoes and squeeze so that they open slightly. Pile the cheese mixture on top of each potato, pressing down slightly.

Return to the oven for 5-10 minutes until melted.

Serve to plates.

Add your favourite salad and enjoy!

More tips for the perfect cheese and onion jacket potato

Are cheese and onion jacket potatoes easy to make?

Yes! These double cheese jacket potatoes are super easy to make. The prep is quick, the ingredients are simple and they are pretty forgiving when it comes to cooking times, so this really is the perfect 'set and forget' meal.

Will I need any special equipment for this recipe?

No, you don't need any special kit to make cheese and onion jacket potatoes - you should be able to find all equipment you need in the average kitchen.

If you don't have skewers to hand you can use a fork or even a knife to pierce the potato. Whatever you use, please be very careful and always pierce by pushing away from yourself while keeping your potatoes firmly on a chopping board so that you don't injure yourself.

Where can I buy mozzarella?

Mozzarella cheese should be available in the chilled section of all major supermarkets, alongside the other cheeses.

Balls of mozzarella usually come in a bag with some water to keep it fresh, so you should snip the bag open and drain it over the sink.

Grated mozzarella should be in the same section or may be in a slightly different section with the other grated cheeses. It is sometimes lightly coated in starch to stop the shreds sticking together. This shouldn't negatively affect the results in this recipe.

Where can I buy dark soy sauce?

Soy sauce can usually be found either with the other condiments and sauces such as vinegar and ketchup, or in world foods aisle alongside the East Asian products.

If you can't find dark soy sauce then light soy sauce is fine to use in this recipe.

I haven’t got soy sauce can I use Worcestershire sauce?

You could use Worcestershire sauce in place of soy sauce

Do remember that Worcestershire sauce isn't suitable for vegetarians, so doublecheck that none of your diners are vegetarian before making tis switch.

A simple pinch of salt will also work.

How can I tell if a potato has gone off?

An easy way to tell if your potatoes have gone off is to look at the skin. If it's wrinkly or the potato feels mushy then throw them away.

If your potatoes have started sprouting or have just a little bit of green in patches then just cut these bits off, the rest of the potato is OK to eat.

If your potatoes are very green, they should be discarded as the flesh can cause stomach upsets.

Potatoes are best kept in in a cool dark place away from apples and onions. To extend their life even further, keep your potatoes in a canvas bag so air can flow around them.

Stored correctly, potatoes can last for a long time, but do keep an eye on the use by date.

Are jacket potatoes good for you?

Potatoes have a slightly unfair reputation - in the UK, at least - for being unhealthy. While it's certainly true that they are high in carbohydrates they are packed with a variety of nutrients, so they do have their place in a healthy, balanced diet.

My cheese and onion jacket potato recipe also contains a fair amount of cheesy deliciousness, which makes it relatively high in fat.

I don't believe that fats or carbohydrates should be wholly avoided, though. Even high-calorie foods can be part of a healthy diet if enjoyed in moderation alongside plenty of nutritious vegetables and proteins.

Are jacket potatoes good for diabetics?

As potatoes contain a high degree of carbohydrates, they are usually a food that diabetics will only enjoy in sensible moderation, if at all.

Small amounts of potato can potentially be able to be integrated into a diabetic diet, but this site does not offer medical advice and everyone is different, so please talk to your doctor or medical professional first before making any changes to your diet.

What cheese should I use for jacket potato?

The combination of cheddar and mozzarella in this recipe gives the perfect balance of melty, stretchy, mild and flavourful, but you can use whichever cheeses you prefer - or whatever you have in the refrigerator.

Of course, here in the UK, a classic cheddar is likely to appear in everyone's kitchen, but elsewhere in the world, cream cheese, smoked cheese or parmesan may be more likely to feature.

A mix of cheeses is always a treat, but do remember that an even quantity of both isn't always best. For instance, I would only use a smidgen of blue cheese, balanced with something like Edam, so as to not overpower the dish

Another thing to be aware of is that different types of cheeses will melt differently, from gooey and stretchy (mozzarella, provolone) to very runny (brie, Camembert), right through to remaining firm (halloumi, feta). Have fun experimenting!

Are cheese and onion jacket potatoes suitable for vegetarians?

This super cheesy jacket potato recipe is suitable for vegetarians, but do doublecheck the labels on your cheese, as some cheeses will contain animal rennet.

Is this cheese and onion jacket potato recipe suitable for vegans?

This recipe is not suitable for vegans as it contains plenty of dairy. However, you could easily switch out the dairy cheese for a vegan white sauce or your favourite meltable vegan cheese alternative.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe isn't gluten-free as it contains soy sauce, which often contains wheat. Mustard also usually contains some level of gluten.

If you want to make this recipe gluten-free, you could swap soy sauce for tamari sauce, which is usually gluten-free, and a gluten-free mustard.

Whatever you use, it is always best to check the labels on all the ingredients.

Are cheese and onion jacket potatoes keto-friendly?

One of the main elements of this dish is potato, which is very high in carbs, so it's not keto-friendly.

If you were to replace each potato with a quarter of a cauliflower per person, you would end up with something similar but with a substantially lower amount of carbohydrates.

Are cheese and onion jacket potatoes safe to eat while pregnant?

There is nothing in this double cheese jacket potato recipe that should present a risk to pregnant people, as long as the ingredients are in good condition and have been stored correctly and the recipe is cooked hygienically and safely.

Do be aware are of what cheese you're using though. Mould ripened cheeses that have not been cooked until steaming hot, along with cheese made from unpasteurised milk (such as soft goat's cheese), can pose a risk.

However, this is not medical advice and you should always check with your health professional. The NHS also has an excellent resource on foods to avoid in pregnancy.

What goes well with cheese and onion jacket potatoes?

Double cheese jacket potato goes well with a peppery salad like rocket and juicy tomatoes. You could also add some crispy bacon or chilli flakes if you like a little heat.

Can I make this recipe without mozzarella?

You can make this double cheese jacket potato without mozzarella but your cheesy mix won't be quite as satisfyingly stringy.

You could try Double Gloucester or even a soft cheese for a creamier filling. Let me know in the comments if you come up with a particularly tasty combination.

Can I add extra cheese to this recipe?

With this cheese and onion jacket potato recipe there is already a generous amount of cheese, so I'd say it's best to stick to the quantities listed as otherwise you might find it simply slides off the potato, but each to their own!

Can I leave leftover cheese and onion jacket potato out on the counter?

As this recipe contains dairy, it should not be left on the countertop as dangerous levels of bacteria and other nasties can appear in as little as two hours.

How should I store a leftover cheese and onion jacket potato? How long will it keep in the fridge?

Any leftover cheesy potatoes can indeed be refrigerated.

To do so, cool and place in an airtight container and into the fridge within two hours of making. Your cheesy potatoes should keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Can I make cheese and onion jacket potato ahead?

I find jacket potatoes are always best fresh out of the oven, but you can cook the potatoes in advance, if you like.

Uncut jacket potatoes can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container. Make sure you get the potatoes down to room temperature and into the fridge within 2 hours of coming out of the oven.

Make the cheese mix on the day of serving, or make the day before, if you like, and place in a sealed container in the fridge ready to add to the potatoes before you re-heat them.

Should I keep leftover cheese and onion jacket potatoes in the refrigerator?

Yes, any leftovers should be transferred to an airtight container within 2 hours of making and kept in the refrigerator, where they'll keep for 2-3 days.

Can I freeze cheese and onion jacket potatoes?

Yes, this recipe should be OK to freeze, but I haven't tried it myself.

Make sure you get the potatoes down to room temperature, placed in an airtight, freezer-safe container and into the freezer within 2 hours of coming out of the oven.

The potatoes should be ok in the freezer for up to a month.

What is the best way to reheat cheese and onion jacket potatoes?

Chilled or frozen cheesy jacket potatoes can be reheated in the microwave.

Place them in a microwave-safe container with the lid slightly open in one corner. Heat in blasts of 60 seconds until piping hot all the way through.

Alternatively, you can reheat your potatoes in the oven on a nonstick oven tray covered with tin foil. Make sure the food is piping hot right through to the centre before serving.

Can I make this recipe in a different quantity?

Yes you can easily change the quantity of double cheese jacket potatoes the recipe gives.

Simply scroll down to the recipe card towards the bottom of this post and hover your mouse (or tap your finger) over the portion number.

You will then be shown a slider, which you can move up and down to change the number of portions the recipe will make. As you do so, all of the ingredient quantities will automatically change accordingly.

If you have any questions about changing the quantities, just ask!

Can I make this recipe in smaller portions?

This recipe is meant to be served as one baking potato per person, but you could serve half a potato per person if you are using this recipe as a side dish, or scale the topping quantities down by half and use smaller potatoes.

Why didn't my jacket potato cook all the way through? Why is my jacket potato still hard?

If your baked potato is undercooked, it's almost always because it simply wasn't baked for long enough.

The bigger the jacket potato the longer the cooking time and particularly big potatoes can take significantly longer to cook than smaller ones.

Thankfully, if you find your potato is hard when you cut it open, you can simply pop it back in the oven to cook all the way through.

How can I add/change the flavours in this dish?

The really great thing about jacket potatoes is that they work a huge variety of toppings - not just cheese!

• Baked beans with most of the tomato sauce drained off and mixed in with the cheese is very tasty.
• Tinned tuna and sweetcorn is, of course, a classic that makes an amazing addition to the cheesy topping.
• Ham, cooked bacon or a veggie sliced-meat alternative sprinkled over the top of the cheese is great.
• A sprinkling of chilli flakes is a wonderful garnish.
• Go crazy and use up anything you might have in the fridge: coleslaw, hummus, pesto, guacamole, sour cream, gravy...all very tempting additions!

What variety of potatoes should I use?

The ideal baking potato is large and, when baked, becomes crispy on the outside and wonderfully light and fluffy on the inside.

In the UK, you can simply buy "baking potatoes" that are the perfect size for this recipe.

More specifically, a Russet or King Edward potato will be great choices.

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A version of this recipe was originally provided by McCain.

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