Hey there, soup lover! Let’s talk about Loaded Potato Soup—the velvety, cheesy, bacon-studded hug-in-a-bowl that’ll make you forget all about your terrible day. Imagine this: Russet potatoes simmered to tender perfection in a rich, creamy broth, loaded with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a sprinkle of green onions. It’s like a baked potato decided to take a luxurious bubble bath. 🛁 I’ve been perfecting this Loaded Potato Soup recipe for years—through kitchen disasters, toddler tantrums (“Why are there green things in my soup?!”), and that one time I tripped over the dog and sent an entire pot flying. (RIP, soup. The dog still side-eyes me.) Today, I’m sharing all my secrets so you can nail this cozy masterpiece. Let’s get simmering!
Why You’ll Adore This Loaded Potato Soup 🥔🍲
Let’s be real: Canned soup is sad. Your homemade Loaded Potato Soup? It’s creamy, customizable, and tastes like a warm blanket for your soul. Here’s why you’ll crave it all winter:
- One-pot wonder. Less dishes = more time for Netflix.
- Kid-approved. Hide veggies in it—they’ll never know. Evil laugh.
- Meal prep hero. Tastes even better the next day (if it lasts that long).
- Cheap AF. Potatoes cost less than a latte.
- Comfort food royalty. Perfect for rainy days, breakups, or celebrating Taco Tuesday’s distant cousin, Soup Sunday.
Plus, I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. (Pro tip: Don’t substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream unless you want lumpy soup that looks like cottage cheese. Trust me.)
Ingredients for Loaded Potato Soup 🥔🍲
Grab these pantry staples (swaps in parentheses!):
- 4 large russet potatoes (peeled and diced—or leave the skins on for rustic vibes!)
- 6 slices bacon (or turkey bacon for the “I’m adulting” crowd)
- 1 onion (chopped—yellow, white, or cry-proof sunglasses)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced—or 1 tsp garlic powder if you’re lazy like me)
- 4 cups chicken broth (vegetable broth for the plant-based pals!)
- 1 cup heavy cream (half-and-half or whole milk for lighter soup!)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar (pepper Jack for spice lovers!)
- ½ cup sour cream (Greek yogurt works, but see warning above 👆)
- 3 tbsp butter (or olive oil for dairy-free!)
- Salt + pepper (to taste—channel your inner salt bae)
- Toppings:
- Green onions (aka “fancy grass”)
- Extra bacon (because bacon)
- Hot sauce (for the “I like to live dangerously” folks)
How to Make Loaded Potato Soup 🥔🍲 (Step-by-Step!)
Step 1: Bacon First. Always Bacon First. 🥓
- Cook bacon in a large pot until crispy. Remove and crumble—resist eating all of it.
- Leave 2 tbsp bacon grease in the pot (or ditch it and use butter for less guilt).
Pro tip: Bake bacon in the oven for less mess. Unless you enjoy grease splatter art.
My disaster story: I once tried cooking bacon naked. 0/10 do not recommend.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
- Melt butter in the pot. Add onions and sauté until translucent (5 mins).
- Add garlic and stir 1 minute—your kitchen now smells like heaven.
Hot tip: Burned garlic tastes like regret. Keep the heat medium-low!
Step 3: Potato Party 🥔🎉
- Toss diced potatoes into the pot. Stir to coat in buttery goodness.
- Pour in broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15-20 mins until potatoes are fork-tender.
Fun trick: Mash a few potatoes against the pot for extra creaminess!
Step 4: Creamy Magic
- Stir in heavy cream and simmer 5 mins (don’t boil—creamy soups are drama queens!).
- Remove from heat. Mix in sour cream + cheddar until melted.
My near-disaster: I once added cheese too fast. It clumped like a science experiment. Slow and steady wins the soup.
Step 5: Blend (Optional, But Fancy!)
- Use an immersion blender to puree half the soup (or mash with a potato masher!).
- Leave some chunks for texture—nobody wants baby food.
Step 6: Top It Like a Pro
- Ladle into bowls. Add crumbled bacon, green onions, extra cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.
- Drizzle with hot sauce if you’re feeling spicy. 🌶️
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My Top Tips for Perfect Loaded Potato Soup 🥔🍲
- Russet potatoes rule. They’re starchier = creamier soup.
- Broth too bland? Add a splash of beer or white wine (for the soup, not you… unless?).
- Gluten-free? Use cornstarch (1 tbsp mixed with water) to thicken.
- Too thick? Add more broth. Too thin? Simmer longer or add mashed potato flakes!
- Freeze leftovers in portioned bags—reheat with a splash of milk.
10 Ways to Make It Your Loaded Potato Soup 🥔🍲
- Buffalo chicken: Shred rotisserie chicken + swirl in buffalo sauce.
- Broccoli cheddar: Add steamed broccoli florets.
- Vegetarian vibe: Skip bacon, use smoked paprika for “fakin’ bacon” flavor.
- Loaded baked potato: Top with a dollop of mashed potatoes (potception!).
- Spicy chorizo: Swap bacon for crispy chorizo.
- Cauliflower mash: Replace half the potatoes with cauliflower.
- French onion twist: Top with caramelized onions + Swiss cheese.
- Thanksgiving remix: Add leftover turkey + stuffing croutons.
- Breakfast soup: Top with a fried egg + hot sauce.
- Vegan magic: Use coconut cream + nutritional yeast.
What to Serve with Loaded Potato Soup 🥔🍲
- Crusty bread: For dipping. Bonus points for garlic butter.
- Side salad: Caesar or kale-apple for ~balance~.
- Grilled cheese: Dunk it like a boss.
- Pickles: The tang cuts through the richness.
- A stiff drink: Because adulthood is hard.
True story: My husband once ate three bowls in one sitting. He now refers to it as “the soup that broke the scale.”
FAQs (Your Questions, Answered!)
Q: Can I use sweet potatoes?
A: Yes! But the soup will be sweeter—add smoked paprika to balance it.
Q: How long does it last?
A: 4 days in the fridge. Reheat gently (microwave = lava soup).
Q: Can I make it in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! Cook bacon separately, then add everything to the crockpot on low for 6 hours.
Q: Why is my soup grainy?
A: You boiled the dairy. Never let it boil! Low and slow, friend.
Q: Can I skip the bacon?
A: Sure, but the soup police might revoke your comfort food license.
Why This Loaded Potato Soup 🥔🍲 Beats Canned Soup Every Time
Canned soup tastes like saltwater with commitment issues. Your Loaded Potato Soup is creamy, hearty, and made with love (and bacon). Plus, you can eat it in sweatpants. Priorities.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—my foolproof Loaded Potato Soup 🥔🍲 that’ll make you the MVP of cozy nights and chaotic days. Remember, cooking’s about joy, not perfection. So if your soup’s too thick, too thin, or you accidentally used salt instead of sugar (ahem), laugh it off and call it “rustic.” (I’ve done it. Own it.)
Now grab that pot, crank up Nat King Cole’s “Let It Snow,” and let’s get simmering! And when your family asks, “What’s for dinner?!” just wink and say, “Liquid happiness.”
Loaded Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 6 large russet potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the Potatoes
- In a large pot, add the diced potatoes and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook the potatoes for 10-12 minutes, or until they’re fork-tender. Drain and set the potatoes aside.
- Step 2: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
- In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the Broth and Cream
- Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and milk, stirring to combine. Add the salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Mash the Potatoes
- Add the cooked potatoes back into the pot. Using a potato masher or the back of a spoon, mash some of the potatoes in the soup to thicken the texture while leaving some chunks for a hearty feel. Stir everything together.
- Step 5: Add the Cheese and Sour Cream
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream, allowing the cheese to melt into the soup and create a creamy base.
- Step 6: Add the Toppings
- Top the soup with crumbled bacon and fresh chopped green onions. You can also sprinkle some extra shredded cheddar cheese on top if you like!
- Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
- Ladle the soup into bowls, serve it hot, and enjoy this comforting and satisfying dish!
