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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Dust the aromatic mixture with flour, stirring vigorously to create a smooth, pale roux that will thicken the upcoming soup.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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