Description
Parmesan baked potatoes deliver crispy golden perfection with rich cheese flavor. Mediterranean-inspired side dishes complement main courses with delightful crunch you’ll savor alongside family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 medium red potatoes, halved lengthwise
- 3 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C) and generously coat a baking dish with melted butter, ensuring complete bottom coverage for optimal flavor and preventing sticking.
- Seasoning Blend: Combine grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a mixing bowl, creating a robust flavor profile that will enhance the potatoes’ taste.
- Base Layer: Distribute the cheese mixture evenly across the buttered baking dish, establishing a flavorful foundation for the potatoes to rest upon.
- Potato Placement: Arrange potato halves cut-side down onto the cheese-butter layer, pressing gently to maximize flavor absorption and ensure even cooking.
- Seasoning: Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper over the potatoes to elevate their natural taste and add depth to the overall dish.
- Roasting: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, allowing potatoes to become tender and develop a golden-brown, crispy Parmesan crust that provides a delightful textural contrast.
- Resting and Serving: Remove from oven and let potatoes rest for 5 minutes to set the crust, then carefully transfer to a serving platter using a spatula, preserving the crispy cheese layer and showcasing the potatoes’ golden surface.
- Garnishing: Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley to add a vibrant pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note before presenting to eager diners.
Notes
- Choose Waxy Potatoes: Select medium-sized waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for the best texture and flavor absorption.
- Uniform Cutting: Slice potatoes evenly to ensure consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked.
- Maximize Cheese Crust: Press potato halves firmly into the cheese-butter mixture to create a crispy, golden-brown bottom that adds incredible flavor and texture.
- Temperature Check: Use a fork to test potato tenderness – it should slide in smoothly without resistance to guarantee perfectly baked potatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 247
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg