Loaded Potato Soup

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Loaded potato soup is a creamy, comforting meal that’s perfect for chilly days. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, packed with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and melty cheese. You can make this hearty soup in just 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

Want to try your hand at this delicious dish? You’ll need potatoes, bacon, cheese, and a few other simple ingredients. The best part? You can customize it with your favorite toppings, like green onions or sour cream. Get ready to dig into a bowl of pure comfort!

Exact Ingredients (Plus Possible Substitutes)

Here’s what you’ll need to make loaded potato soup:

• 4-5 large Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Don’t have some of these ingredients? No worries! Try these swaps:

• Use red skin potatoes instead of Russet
• Swap turkey bacon for regular bacon
• Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or milk

For toppings, grab these:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped green onions
• Sour cream

You can mix it up with different cheeses or add a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

Remember, the key to great loaded potato soup is using starchy potatoes and adding lots of yummy toppings. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!

Instructions

Start by peeling and chopping potatoes into small cubes. Place them in a pot and cover with water. Add a pinch of salt and boil until tender.

While the potatoes cook, fry bacon in a large pot until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving some grease in the pot.

Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.

Sprinkle flour over the onions and garlic, stirring to create a roux. Slowly pour in milk or cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.

Add the cooked potatoes to the pot. Use a potato masher to break them up slightly, leaving some chunks for texture.

Simmer the soup on low heat until it thickens. Stir in shredded cheese until melted.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with crispy bacon, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.

Enjoy your homemade loaded potato soup while it’s hot!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Want to make the best loaded potato soup? Here are some handy tips:

Use starchy potatoes like Russets. They break down easily and make the soup creamy.

Cook the bacon until it’s extra crispy. This adds a nice crunch to your soup.

Save some potato chunks when mashing. This gives your soup more texture.

Don’t forget to season! Salt and pepper are key for tasty potato soup.

Try these tricks to take your soup to the next level:

• Add a splash of hot sauce for a kick
• Sprinkle in some chopped herbs like chives or parsley
• Use different cheeses like Gruyere or Gouda

Storing your soup is easy. Let it cool, then put it in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

You can freeze potato soup too! Just leave out the dairy. Add milk or cream when you reheat it.

To reheat, warm it slowly on the stove. Stir often to keep it smooth. You might need to add a little milk if it’s too thick.