Texas Flavors: Loaded Baked Potato with Beef Bites and Parmesan Cream

Photo bySimply Homemade Recipes

There’s something undeniably satisfying about a loaded baked potato, especially when it’s packed with tender beef bites, creamy Parmesan sauce, and just the right hint of spice. Texas, known for its love of big, bold flavors, offers the perfect backdrop for this mouthwatering dish. The combination of perfectly roasted russet potatoes and seared steak pieces, draped in a rich cream sauce, is a culinary tribute to everything Texans hold dear: hearty portions, savory goodness, and a touch of southern flair.

The Ultimate Texas Comfort Dish
Imagine sitting down to a warm, golden-brown baked potato, its crispy skin sprinkled with sea salt, and cutting it open to reveal fluffy potato goodness. Then, you layer in the star of the show: juicy, seasoned beef bites seared to perfection and coated in a garlic butter glaze. As if that wasn’t enough, a smooth Parmesan cream sauce is generously poured over the top, balancing the richness of the steak with a touch of zest from fresh lemon juice and the heat of red pepper flakes.

This dish is more than just comfort food; it's a celebration of bold flavors that come together harmoniously, just like the diverse culture of Texas itself.

Recipe: Texas-Style Loaded Baked Potato with Beef Bites

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons sea salt
• 2 lbs steak (NY strip, ribeye, sirloin, or tenderloin)
• 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean and patted dry
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced (about 8-10 cloves)
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning (low sodium is ideal, adjust salt accordingly)
• 4 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
• 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:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Coat the potatoes in olive oil, and generously sprinkle with sea salt. Place them on the baking sheet and roast for about 50-60 minutes, or until they can be easily pierced with a fork.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the steak by trimming excess fat and cutting it into 2-inch pieces. Drizzle the beef with avocado oil and season liberally with Cajun seasoning.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak bites for 2 minutes until golden, then flip and cook for another minute. Lower the heat and cook for an additional minute.
5. Move the steak to one side of the pan, then add butter and garlic. Sauté the garlic until aromatic. Toss the steak bites in the garlic butter mixture, cooking for one more minute before covering with foil to rest.
6. For the Parmesan cream sauce, use the same skillet and add the remaining butter and garlic. Sauté until fragrant, then whisk in the heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a simmer, allowing it to reduce for 3-5 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and mix in parsley and lemon juice.
7. Once the potatoes are done, remove them from the oven. Drop each potato from a small height to fluff the insides. Slice them open, fluff further, and smear the insides with butter.
8. Top each baked potato with beef bites and drizzle the creamy Parmesan sauce generously over the top. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

The Finishing Touch
This Texas-style loaded baked potato with beef bites is the epitome of comfort food with a gourmet twist. The crispy, salted skin of the russet potatoes contrasts perfectly with the soft, fluffy insides, while the seared steak bites bring a rich, meaty flavor to every bite. The Parmesan cream sauce adds a velvety finish, while the Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes give it just the right amount of spice. Whether served as a hearty dinner or at your next Texas-sized gathering, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

For the Loaded Baked Potato with Beef Bites recipe, I found a few helpful sources that outline variations and essential tips to make this dish perfect. One source emphasizes the importance of baking the potatoes until their skins are crispy and the interiors are fluffy, which can be achieved by coating the potatoes in olive oil and sea salt before baking at 425°F for about 50-60 minutes​(optimal recipes)​(The Stay At Home Chef). For the beef bites, searing them in a hot skillet with Cajun seasoning and avocado oil, then tossing them in garlic butter, will give them a juicy and flavorful crust​(Family Favorites).

The Parmesan cream sauce is key to elevating this dish, and it's made by sautéing garlic in butter, whisking in heavy cream, and thickening it with Parmesan cheese before seasoning with red pepper flakes and lemon juice​(optimal recipes). You can find more details and variations on these recipes from sources like Bad Batch Baking and The Stay at Home Chef​(Family Favorites)​(Spend With Pennies).