The Coziest Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe for Chilly Days

A hearty loaded baked potato soup that warms your soul on chilly evenings.

Creamy textures and rich flavors dance together in this comforting recipe.

Memories of cozy kitchen moments emerge with each spoonful of this delightful dish.

Salt, pepper, and crispy bacon bits add depth to every creamy bite.

Tender potato chunks mingle with smooth cream, creating a symphony of tastes.

Home cooks adore this simple yet impressive soup that feels like a culinary hug.

Each ingredient tells a story of comfort and satisfaction.

You’ll want to savor every delicious spoonful of this amazing soup.

Reasons To Love Loaded Baked Potato Soup

• Indulge in Comfort: This loaded baked potato soup wraps you in warm, creamy goodness that feels like a comforting hug on a chilly day.
• Master Easy Gourmet Cooking: The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish with minimal technical skills, making home chefs feel like culinary pros.
• Customize Your Bowl: Versatile toppings like crispy bacon, cheese, sour cream, and green onions let everyone personalize their soup experience, creating a fun and interactive meal.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: From start to finish, this hearty soup comes together in under 45 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

What Goes In Loaded Baked Potato Soup

• Bacon: Provides a smoky, rich flavor and crispy texture for topping.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a savory liquid base for the soup's foundation.

• Milk, Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creamy smoothness to the soup.
• Shredded Cheese: Brings melty, tangy flavor and additional creaminess.
• Sour Cream: Offers a cool, tangy garnish with smooth texture.

• Potatoes: Hearty base ingredient that provides thickness and substance.
• Onion: Adds depth of flavor and classic aromatic base.
• Garlic: Enhances overall savory profile with intense, warm notes.

• Flour: Creates roux and helps thicken the soup's consistency.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing flavors.

• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor for final topping and brightness.

Simple Guide To Make Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Step 1: Sizzle the Bacon

Place a large pot on the stove and transform those bacon strips into crispy, golden perfection. Once they’re delightfully crunchy, rescue them with a slotted spoon and let them rest on paper towels. Keep a whisper of bacon magic in the pot by leaving a touch of the rendered fat.

Step 2: Awaken the Aromatics

Toss diced onions into the pot, letting them dance and soften into a translucent wonderland. Invite minced garlic to the party, stirring until its fragrant aroma fills the kitchen.

Step 3: Create a Flavor Foundation

Sprinkle flour over the sautéed vegetables like a delicate snow, whisking continuously to create a smooth, golden base that will give the soup its luxurious body.

Step 4: Build the Soup’s Backbone

• Chicken broth
• Diced potatoes

Pour the broth into the pot, whisking away any lumps. Introduce the potato cubes and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and let everything simmer until the potatoes become tender and dreamy.

Step 5: Texture Transformation

For those craving ultimate creaminess, grab an immersion blender and partially puree the soup. If you’re feeling adventurous, carefully transfer half the soup to a blender. The goal is a perfect balance between silky smoothness and hearty chunks.

Step 6: Bring on the Creamy Decadence

• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Shredded cheese
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir in the milk, cream, and a generous handful of cheese until they meld into a velvety embrace. Season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting until it’s pure comfort in a bowl.

Step 7: The Grand Finale

Ladle the soup into waiting bowls. Crown each serving with a shower of crispy bacon bits, an extra sprinkle of cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a confetti of green onions. Prepare for a moment of pure culinary bliss!

Handy Tricks For Loaded Baked Potato Soup

• Bacon Crispiness Secret: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to achieve perfect crunchiness without burning, ensuring maximum flavor development.
• Potato Preparation Hack: Dice potatoes uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Roux Mastery Technique: Constantly stir flour mixture to prevent burning and create a smooth, silky base that thickens the soup perfectly.
• Texture Customization Tip: Blend only half the soup for a creamy yet chunky consistency that maintains potato pieces and provides delightful mouthfeel.
• Dietary Modification Trick: Swap regular milk with plant-based alternatives and use turkey bacon for lighter, vegetarian-friendly version without sacrificing rich flavor profile.

How To Store And Reheat Loaded Baked Potato Soup

• Refrigerate: Transfer soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep toppings separate to maintain their crispness.
• Freeze: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid adding dairy before freezing to prevent separation.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk or broth to restore creamy consistency if needed. Heat until steaming but not boiling.
• Microwave Tip: Reheat in short intervals, stirring between each to ensure even heating. Top with fresh bacon, cheese, and green onions after warming for best flavor and texture.

What To Serve With Loaded Baked Potato Soup

• Perfectly Pair Crisp White Wine: Opt for a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc with subtle oak notes that complement the soup's creamy texture and rich bacon flavors.
• Match with Hearty Rustic Bread: Serve a crusty sourdough or garlic bread alongside the soup to soak up the creamy broth and add delightful textural contrast.
• Complement with Fresh Salad: Prepare a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the soup's richness and provide a refreshing palate cleanser.
• Balance with Crisp Apple Cider: Select a cold, slightly sweet hard apple cider that echoes the potato's earthiness and provides a bright, refreshing counterpoint to the heavy soup.

Ways To Change Up Loaded Baked Potato Soup

• Smoky Southwest Potato Soup: Replace bacon with chorizo and add diced green chilies. Sprinkle in cumin and chili powder for a spicy southwestern kick. Top with fresh cilantro and pepper jack cheese.
• Vegetarian Loaded Potato Soup: Swap bacon for smoked paprika roasted mushrooms. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add nutritional yeast for extra cheesy flavor and depth.
• Harvest Potato Soup: Incorporate roasted butternut squash and diced apples into the base. Use sage and thyme for an autumn-inspired profile. Garnish with crispy sage leaves and toasted pumpkin seeds.
• Lean Protein Potato Soup: Mix in shredded rotisserie chicken or diced ham. Reduce cream and use Greek yogurt for a lighter version. Add extra vegetables like diced carrots and celery for nutritional boost.

Helpful Questions About Loaded Baked Potato Soup

• Why is bacon cooked first in this soup recipe?

Cooking bacon first allows its fat to render out, creating a flavorful base for the soup and providing crispy bacon bits as a delicious topping.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, you can substitute bacon with vegetarian bacon alternatives or simply omit it. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for a fully vegetarian version.

• How do I prevent my soup from becoming lumpy when adding flour?

Whisk the flour constantly and gradually into the onion mixture, ensuring it’s fully incorporated before adding liquid. This helps create a smooth, lump-free base for your soup.

• What type of potatoes work best for this recipe?

Russet potatoes are ideal because they’re starchy and break down well, creating a creamy texture while still maintaining some potato chunks in the soup.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Loaded Baked Potato Soup brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Rich potato goodness blends with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and green onion garnish, promising ultimate satisfaction for hungry souls who crave classic comfort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 russet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3–4 medium potatoes)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream

Protein and Aromatics:

• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Toppings:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• ½ cup sour cream
• 3 green onions, sliced, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Transform crisp bacon into golden, crunchy morsels by cooking in a large pot over medium heat. Transfer pieces to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving a tablespoon of rendered fat in the cooking vessel.
2. Sauté diced onions in the reserved bacon fat until translucent and softened. Introduce minced garlic and allow aromatics to release their fragrant essence for a brief moment.
3. Dust the aromatic mixture with flour, stirring vigorously to create a smooth, pale roux that will thicken the upcoming soup.
4. Stream chicken broth into the pot, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Carefully add diced potatoes and allow the liquid to reach a gentle boil. Reduce heat and let the potatoes simmer until they yield easily when pierced with a fork.
5. Enhance the soup’s texture by partially pureeing the mixture. Use an immersion blender to break down some potatoes, creating a luxurious, creamy consistency while maintaining delightful potato chunks.
6. Incorporate milk, heavy cream, and a generous handful of shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese melts completely, creating a velvety base. Season with salt and pepper to elevate the soup’s flavor profile.
7. Serve the steaming soup in deep bowls, garnishing with reserved crispy bacon bits, additional cheese, a dollop of tangy sour cream, and a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Bacon Selection Matters: Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispy texture that will elevate the soup’s overall taste profile.
• Potato Perfection: Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest and most authentic loaded baked potato soup experience.
• Texture Customization: Decide between a completely smooth or chunky soup by adjusting how much you blend – partial blending creates a perfect middle ground with some potato pieces intact.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap bacon for turkey bacon or coconut bacon for lighter versions, use gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly option, and replace dairy with plant-based alternatives for a vegan-friendly twist.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg