Goat Cheese, Herb, and Lemon Stuffed Potato

Put away the crackers. We've got a better way to eat goat cheese for dinner, and it's one that will prove far more satisfying — all you have to do is add a baked potato. The crumbled goat cheese succumbs to the warmth of the potato, softening into the nooks and crannies. Chopped parsley, lemon zest, and a drizzle of olive oil keep this quick-to-the-table meal feeling fresh and light.

First, Bake Your Potato: 3 Ways

Before you can stuff your potato with this glorious filling, you've got to cook it. There are options aplenty, so choose what works best for you.

How To Bake a Potato in the Microwave: If you're in a hurry, take to the microwave. This gets the job done in about 10 minutes.

How To Bake a Potato in the Oven: The classic method produces ultra-crispy skin and a fluffy texture. You need close to an hour for this preparation, but the texture of the potato is superior. Bake a big batch on the weekend to have on hand throughout the week.

How To Bake a Potato in the Slow Cooker: Want to make sure you can have baked potatoes for dinner and don't want to wait the hour for them to cook when you get home? Choose the slow cooker. You'll need eight to 10 hours on low, so this is actually something that works with our workday — including the commute!

How to Make This Goat Cheese-Loaded Potato

Cut the cooked potato lengthwise and gently pull it open without splitting in half, then use a fork to fluff the inside of the potato. Nestle about 2 ounces of goat cheese into the potato while it's still warm. Top with a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley, lemon zest from about 1/4 lemon, and a drizzle of olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

All it takes is an inspired topping to turn a plain potato into a tiny miracle on a busy weeknight. This series will open your eyes to all the ways the humble potato can be loaded up with the help of no more than four common pantry ingredients

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