🥔 Creamy Loaded Potato Soup
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This Creamy Loaded Potato Soup is the ultimate cozy comfort meal—rich, velvety, and packed with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh toppings. It tastes just like a loaded baked potato in soup form!
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–45 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour
- Servings: 6–8
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 6 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Cheesy Loaded Additions
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 slices cooked bacon or turkey bacon, crumbled
- 3 green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Optional Additions
- ½ cup cream cheese for extra richness
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Chopped chives
Instructions
1. Cook the Potatoes
- Place diced potatoes and chicken broth in a large pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
2. Make the Creamy Base
- In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle flour over the mixture and whisk for 1 minute.
3. Add Milk and Cream
- Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream.
- Cook for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Combine
- Pour the creamy mixture into the potato pot.
- Mash some of the potatoes with a potato masher for a thicker texture while leaving some chunks whole.
- Stir in:
- Cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Seasonings
Cook gently until the cheese melts.
5. Serve
Top each bowl with:
- Crispy bacon
- Extra cheddar
- Green onions
- Fresh parsley
- A dollop of sour cream
Serving Suggestions
Pair with:
- 🥖 Garlic bread
- 🥐 Warm dinner rolls
- 🥗 Fresh garden salad
- 🥪 Grilled cheese sandwich
- 🥒 Pickle spears
Tips for the Best Potato Soup
- Use russet potatoes for the creamiest texture.
- Don’t boil too aggressively—gentle simmering keeps potatoes from breaking apart too much.
- Add cheese over low heat to prevent it from becoming grainy.
- For a restaurant-style finish, drizzle with extra cream before serving.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months (cream-based soups may slightly change texture).
- Reheat: Warm slowly on the stove, adding a splash of milk if needed.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fat: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
Delicious Variations
🥓 Fully Loaded: Add bacon, cheddar, sour cream, and chives like a baked potato bar.
🌶️ Spicy Version: Add jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and hot sauce.
🍗 Chicken Loaded Potato Soup: Add shredded chicken for extra protein.
🥦 Broccoli Cheddar Potato Soup: Stir in broccoli florets for a classic combination.
This Creamy Loaded Potato Soup is thick, cheesy, and comforting—like a warm bowl of a fully loaded baked potato with all the best toppings. 🥔🧀✨