Description
This loaded baked potato soup is thick, creamy, and packed with everything you love about a classic baked potato—from crispy bacon and sharp cheddar to a swirl of sour cream and bright green onions. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a meal that feels like a warm hug. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for guests. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable—make it chunky or smooth, spicy or mild, and load it up just the way you like it.
Ingredients
- 5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 3 green onions or chives, sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika
Instructions
- Peel and dice the potatoes. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Cook the bacon until crispy and set aside.
- In a large soup pot, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté the onions for 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth. Add diced potatoes and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Stir in milk, heavy cream, sour cream, and half the cheddar. Simmer gently for 5 more minutes.
- Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Stir in half the crumbled bacon. Season with salt, pepper, and optional spices.
- Serve hot topped with remaining cheese, bacon, and green onions.
Notes
- For extra flavor, stir in a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
- To make it vegetarian, use veggie broth and omit the bacon.
- The soup thickens as it sits—add broth or milk to adjust consistency when reheating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American