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Loaded Potato Soup

Loaded Potato Soup

Loaded Potato Soup is a creamy, comforting, and hearty soup combining tender russet potatoes, melted sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions. Perfect for cozy nights, this easy-to-make soup offers a rich, velvety texture and homemade goodness that can be customized to suit your taste and dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 45 Russet Potatoes, peeled and diced into bite-sized cubes
  • 6 slices Crispy Bacon, chopped
  • 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded (freshly shredded preferred)
  • 4 Green Onions, chopped
  • 4 cups Chicken Broth (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 1 medium Onion, diced
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and dice the russet potatoes into bite-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and a perfect creamy texture once softened.
  2. Sauté Onions and Bacon: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat, then add diced onions and cook until translucent; add the bacon pieces and fry until crisp and fragrant.
  3. Cook the Potatoes in Broth: Add the diced potatoes to the pot along with the chicken broth; bring to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
  4. Blend and Add Cream: Use a potato masher or immersion blender to gently mash some of the potatoes, creating a creamy base while still leaving chunks for texture, then stir in the heavy cream for richness.
  5. Stir in Cheese and Season: Remove from heat and gradually add shredded sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until fully melted and smooth; season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serve with Toppings: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish generously with green onions, extra bacon bits, and more cheese if desired for that true loaded experience.

Notes

  • Use Russet Potatoes: Their high starch content helps thicken the soup naturally.
  • Don’t Overblend: Keep some potato chunks to maintain a hearty texture.
  • Bacon Timing: Cook bacon separately or in the pot with onions for maximum flavor.
  • Cheese Quality: Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded to avoid clumps.
  • Adjust Creaminess: Vary cream or broth amounts to reach your preferred soup thickness.
  • Season Gradually: Taste as you go to prevent over-salting, especially if the broth is salty.

Nutrition

Keywords: loaded potato soup, creamy potato soup, comfort food, cheesy potato soup, bacon potato soup, easy potato soup, hearty soup