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Creamy Loaded Baked Potato Soup

loaded baked potato soup - featured image

A rich, velvety soup made with russet potatoes, sharp cheddar, and smoky bacon. This recipe relies on the natural starch of the potatoes for creaminess, avoiding the need for flour or roux.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 3–4 green onions, sliced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Peel and dice the russet potatoes. Mince the garlic and chop the onion. Cook bacon until crispy, crumble it, and reserve 1 tablespoon of grease.
  2. In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter (and reserved bacon grease) over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and a pinch of salt; sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the diced potatoes and stir to coat in the butter mixture.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring potatoes are submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
  5. For a chunky texture, stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheese directly. For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to puree about half the soup, then stir in the cream and cheese.
  6. Stir in the remaining cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer on low for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
  7. Ladle into bowls and top with crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, and extra cheddar cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not over-stir the potatoes while simmering to prevent a gummy texture. Add cheese off the heat to prevent separation. If the soup is too thick, thin with extra broth; if too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce. For a vegan version, swap butter for olive oil, chicken broth for vegetable broth, heavy cream for coconut cream, and cheese for nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato soup, baked potato soup, creamy soup, comfort food, easy dinner, bacon soup, cheddar soup, gluten-free