Prepare and Bake Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and dry the potatoes, then prick each potato a few times with a fork. Place them on a baking sheet, rub with a small amount of olive oil, and bake for about 45-50 minutes or until tender.

Cook the Filling: While the potatoes bake, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.

Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef or pork to the pan with the onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon.

Add Bell Pepper: Stir in the diced red bell pepper and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the pepper is tender. Adjust seasoning to taste, and remove the filling from the heat.

Hollow the Potatoes: Once the potatoes are cooked and slightly cooled, carefully slice them in half lengthwise. Scoop out the potato flesh, leaving a small border around the skin to create a shell. Reserve the scooped potato flesh in a bowl.

Combine Filling and Potato Flesh: Mash the reserved potato flesh and mix it with the meat filling. If using cheese, add half of it to this mixture for extra creaminess.

Stuff the Potatoes: Spoon the meat and potato filling back into each potato shell, pressing down gently to pack it in. Top with remaining shredded cheese, if desired.

Bake Again: Return the stuffed potatoes to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot. Enjoy these hearty stuffed potatoes as a main course or a side dish!