10 Canned Foods That Make Baked Potatoes Hearty Comfort Meals

A convenient and hearty choice at any time of the day, baked potatoes serve as an incredibly versatile base ideal for all your favorite toppings. Perhaps your go-to is a swipe of butter and scattering of shredded cheese, or a generous dollop of sour cream and some crispy bacon bits, but something that's often overlooked when crafting the perfect spud is the world of canned foods. With a freshly baked potato and a simple pantry staple or two, you can create a wonderfully satisfying, flavorful, and budget-friendly meal with minimal effort. And, it's super easy to mix and match different options if desired.

No matter your taste preferences or dietary requirements, there's likely already something in your pantry that deserves a spot atop a fluffy-crisp potato. From protein-packed canned fish and robust meats to fiber-rich legumes and creamy soups, there's no shortage of delicious options to explore. Plus, using ready-to-eat, shelf-stable ingredients will significantly reduce your prep time, so there's no excuse not to enjoy a fulfilling dinner on even the busiest of weeknights. So, next time you're in need of a cozy, no-fuss meal, consider elevating a humble spud with one of these tasty toppings.

The light, savory flavor of canned tuna pairs beautifully with baked potatoes. It's also a fantastic option for boosting the protein content of your meal with no extra cooking required. After a quick drain, it's ready to eat right out of the can, and there's plenty of opportunity to customize those tender flakes with some extra add-ins if desired. Oil-packed and water-packed tuna varieties will both work great here, and stirring in some mayonnaise is great for adding a little richness. Feel free to throw in some seasonings of your choice, such as cracked black pepper, paprika, or Old Bay seasoning. Fresh chopped herbs like parsley, dill, and chives will fit right in here, too.

Another option is to transform your canned tuna into a vibrant salad by mixing it with some crunchy diced veggies like cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper. And, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice is a great way to boost brightness. However you're prepping the canned fish, consider pairing it with some additional toppings for the ultimate well-rounded meal. A sprinkle of grated cheddar or crumbled feta would go down a treat, and chopped green onions are great for adding some extra freshness. Or, to turn up the heat, drizzle your favorite hot sauce or finish things off with a pinch of chili flakes.

Got a can of chili sitting in your pantry and fancy switching things up? Try piling it onto a piping hot baked potato. Loaded with spicy warmth and savory depth, canned chili is a dinnertime favorite and a fitting match for the comforting starchy base. The saucy consistency of the chili soaks right into the tender potato flesh, making every bite feel wonderfully indulgent while keeping things wholesome.

Whether you're opting for a classic beef chili, a hearty turkey chili, or a vegetarian-friendly version, all you'll need to do is heat up the contents of the can in the microwave or on the stovetop. Then, simply slice the baked potato in half and spoon the chili over. You can totally go all out with all the classic Tex-Mex-inspired toppings as well. Think sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, or fresh cilantro. Sliced jalapeños are the perfect tool for injecting some extra heat, and a drizzle of creamy queso can really amp up the comfort factor. To balance your chili-topped potato with something fresh, try pairing it with a side of crunchy slaw, some steamed greens, or a leafy salad tossed in a zesty vinaigrette.

Canned diced tomatoes might seem like a fairly mundane choice for serving with potatoes, but this popular pantry staple can in fact be the secret weapon for transforming a plain old spud into something saucy and satisfying. Added alone, diced tomatoes probably won't yield anything particularly groundbreaking, but they're a surprisingly effective starting point, ideal for enhancing with other add-ins. Grab a few simple seasonings, and you can easily craft a vibrant, healthy meal that's bursting with tangy-sweet flavor.

One fantastic approach is to warm the canned tomatoes in a saucepan with some salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of dried herbs, such as basil or oregano. A glug of extra virgin olive oil is also great for boosting the richness. Then, after spooning this mixture over the potato, you could top things off with some shredded cheddar or mozzarella, to create a pizza-style lunch or dinner. Warming spices will also pair brilliantly with the tomato base. Try stirring in some cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder, for a simplified take on your typical meaty chili. Or, mix the tomatoes with some drained canned beans for an extra boost of fiber and nutrients. Creamy toppings are also perfect for balancing acidity. A dollop of sour cream, ricotta, or cream cheese will all mellow the tanginess beautifully.

With its luscious, soupy texture and sweet, buttery taste, canned cream corn is a must-try baked potato topping. It's flavorful enough to serve as is, but it's also incredibly versatile, blending seamlessly with a whole host of savory extras. Best served warm, it's the perfect solution if you're after something meat-free that'll leave you feeling nourished.

If you're short on time, just give the creamed corn a quick heat through and spoon it over. Or, go ahead and get creative with some mix-ins. Melting in some shredded cheese such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella will make things even richer, creamier, and more flavorful, and a quick sprinkling of paprika or cayenne pepper is an amazing way to contrast the natural sweetness of sunny kernels. To incorporate more color and bite into the mixture, try adding some extra veggies. This could be in the form of leftover roasted vegetables, or other canned varieties such as peas, carrots, or green beans. The hearty texture of canned beans like chickpeas, kidney beans, or black beans will also make a nice complement.

Once you've loaded up the potato, there's always the option to garnish everything with something crunchy. Croutons, crushed crackers, or crispy bacon bits would all finish things off nicely, creating an irresistible contrast against the soft, creamy base.

A true British classic, baked potato and baked beans are a match made in heaven. We're talking the famous Heinz baked beans here, which come packed in a deliciously sweet and tangy tomato sauce. These provide the perfect level of heartiness, with the sauce soaking into the fluffy interior, and the tender beans contrasting the crunch of the potato skin.

Before you spoon over warm beans, consider adding a few pats of butter to the halved potato and fluffing up the flesh, so it's easier to tie it all together. Then, you can throw on any extras that take your fancy. As always, cheese is a no-brainer for elevating things. You could go for shredded sharp cheddar, spicy pepper Jack, or even nutty Gruyere to inject a touch of sophistication. Crunchy toppers also work well here, such as bacon bits, toasted seeds, or crispy fried onions that you can easily make with fresh onions using a microwave.

American-style canned beans are an equally delicious option for topping potatoes. These generally have a richer, smokier taste than the Heinz version, with the thick sauce often featuring add-ins like bacon and maple syrup. If you're going with this approach, a final dollop of something creamy and cooling, like crème fraiche or cream cheese, will taste incredible.

There's not always time for cooking chicken from scratch, and that's when a canned alternative can come in handy. After a quick spruce up, canned chicken can be just as delicious as its fresh counterpart, and it'll save you heaps of time. This topping keeps things light and wholesome, all while providing an impressive dose of lean protein.

Step one is draining the meat, and then you can easily elevate canned chicken with complementary ingredients. Chicken works well as a hot or cold topping. If you'd prefer to warm it through, try sauteing it in a skillet with a medley of spices (garlic powder and smoked paprika would taste great). The meat can also be mixed with other canned ingredients such as black beans, salsa, tomato sauce, and veggies like corn or peas. Or, turn it into a delicious sticky barbecue chicken by stirring in a generous squeeze of your favorite store-bought sauce.

To create a creamier chilled topping, mix drained chicken with some mayo, sour cream, or cream cheese, perhaps with a sprinkling of fresh parsley, chives, or green onions. The moreish savory richness of this mixture will complement the mild, earthy taste of the potato brilliantly. And, you can easily prep it in a big batch, to enjoy atop fluffy baked spuds throughout the week.

A seemingly unlikely, but totally game-changing way to upgrade a basic baked potato is with a humble can of broccoli cheese soup. That's right — this comforting favorite isn't just made for dunking crusty bread. Poured over steaming potato flesh, it instantly infuses everything with cheesy, savory depth. It's the ultimate cozy duo that provides plenty of room for customization if you're feeling creative.

Heat up the contents of the can as you usually would and pour as much of the soup as your heart desires over the split-open potato. If extra cheese is a must (good choice), there are countless options to consider, whether you're in a mood for a tangy blue cheese, a sprinkle of nutty Parmesan, or some melty mozzarella. Since the soup boasts an irresistible silky texture, you might also want to introduce some crunch. Toasted breadcrumbs or panko would be ideal for scattering over the top of the luscious soup layer, as would crushed cheese crisps or crackers. You could even finish with some refreshing diced veggies, such as bell peppers, radish, or shredded lettuce.

If broccoli and cheese isn't your jam, other varieties of canned soup will also work great here. Anything creamy is sure to make the fluffy potato shine, with mushroom, chicken, or leek and potato all being notable picks.

Sloppy Joe sauce is a top-tier comfort food, and pairing the rich tomato sauce with meat inside a fluffy bun certainly isn't the only way to enjoy it. This flavor-packed sauce can also make a baked potato infinitely more enjoyable, offering the same savory appeal, with an even more satisfying base. What's more, opting for a canned version means no extra time spent standing at the stovetop.

After baking your potato until the skin is crisp and golden, and the flesh is light and fluffy, split it open and fluff the middle with a fork. Heat up the canned sloppy Joe sauce in the microwave or on the stovetop, then spoon it generously over the potato, letting it soak into the flesh. The premade sauce typically features a balanced medley of sweet, spicy, and umami-rich flavor-boosters, such as Worcestershire sauce, tamarind, garlic, and diced bell peppers, so there's no need to add much else to make the dish feel complete. But, if you'd rather stay true to the traditional version, combine the sauce with the usual sauteed ground beef. Once you've dressed your spud, a top tip is to finish with something creamy — maybe sour cream — to balance the tangy profile of the tomato-based sauce.

If you're craving something nourishing, canned lentils can help you build a delightfully nutritious meal. With a straight-from-the-oven potato as the base, lentils add hearty texture, plant-based protein, and a good dose of fiber, yielding a filling, well-balanced meal. Green, brown, and black varieties are all great options, offering a mild, earthy flavor and holding their shape well during cooking.

Adding some punchy seasonings to the lentils is highly recommended. Just rinse and drain the legumes, then toss them into a skillet with your add-ins of choice. Spices like cumin, paprika, and red pepper flakes will liven things up nicely, and these will taste even more delicious alongside some fresh aromatics like diced onion and minced garlic. For a fresher approach, try building a Mediterranean-style spud by heating the lentils with lemon juice, fresh parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil. Then, after spooning this bright medley over the potato, crumble some creamy feta cheese on top. Lentils also taste great alongside diced tomatoes, if you prefer a topping with a saucier consistency.

Another gloriously rustic and pleasingly fuss-free way to adorn a baked potato is with canned meatballs. Coming in their handy precooked and saucy format, these meaty bites are packed with robust flavor, and make for a filling, crowd-pleasing topping. The combination of succulent meat, smooth sauce, and tender-crisp potato is a real winner, and it absolutely deserves a spot on your meal rotation.

You'll find various versions of canned meatballs at most large grocery stores. These include beef, pork, and chicken varieties, as well as those made with plant-based ingredients. Many come in a tangy tomato sauce, while others are packed in a rich gravy. If you're in the mood for a carb-heavy feast, some even come with spaghetti or other pasta shapes. Heat the meatballs and sauce in a pan, and they're good to go. Of course, extras are welcomed, whether you want to spice things up with some fresh chili or a glug of hot sauce, or build aromatic depth with garlic and fresh herbs. Toppings-wise, the classics like melting cheese, sour cream, and green onions are the perfect tools for creating a decadent, fully loaded spud.