Helping our son in college with meal prep ideas and his food budget. THIS one was an absolute banger! Super affordable, easy to make and was 100 out of 10 on taste!! @Harry Weil what do you think?! Plus, you end up with the most savory pasta sauce left over after you assemble the baked potatoes and if you toss a box of pasta in that you’ve got another couple meals to go! 2 MEALS, 1 SAUCE ~55g protein per loaded potato LOADED BAKED POTATOES + PASTA POTATOES 4 large russet potatoes Olive oil Kosher salt Shredded mozzarella or cheddar MEAT SAUCE 4 lb ripe tomatoes (beefsteak, Roma/plum or whatever looks best) 1 large yellow onion, diced Olive oil 1 lb ground beef 1 lb mild Italian sausage 4 oz tomato paste 3–4 tsp kosher salt, or to taste 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp garlic powder MEAL 2 1 box pasta BAKE THE POTATOES Heat oven to 400°F. Scrub and dry potatoes and prick a few times with a fork. Lightly rub with olive oil + salt and bake about 1 hour, or until completely fork-tender. MAKE THE SAUCE Generously coat the bottom of a large, deep skillet with olive oil. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each tomato and place cut-side down in the pan. Add the diced onion around and between the tomatoes. Cover and cook over medium to medium-high heat for about 20–30 minutes, stirring the onions occasionally, until the tomatoes are very soft and the skins split and easily peel away. If needed, add a splash of water to help them steam. Remove and discard the tomato skins. Mash the tomatoes directly into the caramelized onions. Add ground beef, sausage, tomato paste, salt, pepper + garlic powder. Break up the meat and cook until completely cooked through (160°F) and the sauce has reduced slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning. MEAL 1: LOADED POTATOES Cut each potato lengthwise and gently press the ends toward the center to open it up. Fluff the inside with a fork and create a large well. Add about 2 Tbsp shredded cheese. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the meat from the sauce and divide evenly among the 4 potatoes—about ¼ lb ground beef + ¼ lb Italian sausage per potato. Top generously with more cheese and broil for 2–3 minutes, watching closely, until melted, bubbly + golden. ~55g protein per loaded potato MEAL 2: PASTA Don’t toss that sauce! Save all the rich tomato-onion sauce left in the pan. Cook 1 box of pasta and toss with the reheated sauce for another easy meal. 2 MEALS. 1 SAUCE. MEAL PREP DONE. #mealprep #bakedpotato #EasyRecipe #bolognese #highproteinmeals - @seattlehanddoc