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Cozy Loaded Baked Potato Soup with Bacon – Best Easy Recipe

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This creamy, cheesy loaded baked potato soup is the ultimate comfort food, featuring crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a velvety texture that warms you from the inside out. Perfect for cozy nights, it comes together in about 40 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 slices bacon (thick-cut preferred)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 large baking potatoes (about 2.5 pounds), baked, peeled, and chopped
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 4 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Optional toppings: extra shredded cheese, crispy bacon crumbles, sour cream, hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub potatoes, poke with a fork, and bake for 45-60 minutes until tender. Let cool, peel, and chop into bite-sized chunks.
  2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then crumble. Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon fat.
  3. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add reserved bacon fat and diced onion. Cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  4. Sprinkle flour over onion mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes to make a roux.
  5. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then milk and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  6. Stir in chopped baked potatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and potatoes to break down slightly.
  7. Optional: Use an immersion blender to blend about half the soup for a creamier texture, leaving some chunks. Alternatively, mash some potatoes with a potato masher.
  8. Remove pot from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Ladle into bowls and top with crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, and any other desired toppings. Serve immediately.

Notes

Bake potatoes instead of boiling for deeper flavor. Grate cheese from a block for smooth melting. Add dairy off heat to prevent curdling. Soup thickens as it cools; thin with milk or broth when reheating. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: loaded baked potato soup, potato soup with bacon, creamy potato soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, winter soup

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/cozy-loaded-baked-potato-soup-with-bacon-best-easy-recipe/