Joanna Gaines' cheesy baked potatoes are so easy to make that you probably have all the ingredients already

Lauren EdmondsFeb 4, 2021, 22:52 IST

Joanna Gaines' Hasselback potatoes are a surprisingly easy game-day dish.Getty Images/Lauren Edmonds

I made Joanna Gaines' Hasselback potato recipe from her series "Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines."
Being used to basic tailgate foods like chicken wings, the Hasselback potatoes seemed bougie to me.
But Gaines' recipe was simple and I'll be making it even after a Super Bowl LV champion is crowned.

The Sunshine State has a chance this Sunday to trade in its "Florida Man" reputation for an entirely different one: Super Bowl champions.

On February 7, I (along with millions of my fellow Florida natives) will be glued to the TV as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

But of course, because football reigns supreme in the American South, game days are always about the food just as much as the final score.

I normally stick to classic game-day foods like chicken wings and pizza, but I decided to up the ante this year by trying something new: Joanna Gaines' Hasselback potatoes recipe. The recipe was one of the "Weekend Game Day Snacks" featured on "Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines," along with recipes for Philly cheesesteaks, french onion dip, and Lucy's Peanut Butter Brownies.

While I wasn't sure the seemingly fancy recipe could compare to my usual finger foods, the Hasselback potatoes surpassed my expectations - and were surprisingly easy to make.

I grew up attending tailgates and game-day events in Florida.

The author wearing her University of Florida sweatshirt in middle school. Lauren Edmonds

As a self-proclaimed tailgate and game-day pro, I had reservations about Gaines' Hasselback potatoes.

The Hasselback potatoes as featured in "Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines" and "Magnolia Table, Volume 2 Cookbook: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering." Magnolia Network

Gaines' Hasselback potatoes called for everyday ingredients that could be picked up from the local grocery store in my neighborhood.

Gaines' recipe only called for eight items and I already had most of them in my home. Lauren Edmonds

Gaines' food hack was a lifesaver when slicing and fanning out each potato.

I sliced through each potato horizontally and used chopsticks to ensure the cuts didn't go to the bottom. Lauren Edmonds

I channeled my inner "Salt Bae" to combine the dry and wet ingredients in a butter mixture.

This is where I made my first mistake of the evening. Lauren Edmonds/Getty Images

Mistake No. 1: I realized I'd added two extra ingredients into the melted-butter mixture - after I'd already put it on the potatoes.

I accidentally added in the parmesan cheese and parsley before it went into the oven. Lauren Edmonds

The potatoes crisped up nicely in the oven and the smell was incredible.

I used my leftover mixture to add an extra boost of flavor to the parmesan cheese and parsley topping. Lauren Edmonds

Mistake No. 2: Always, always, have a delicious dip for game-day food.

My Hasselback Potatoes may have been crispier than predicted, but I enjoyed the crunch. Lauren Edmonds

This recipe has officially been added to my game-day snacking wheelhouse, and it's perfect for amateur cooks.

I would absolutely recommend this meal to friends and family. Lauren Edmonds

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