Loaded Potato Soup (Printable)

Velvety soup with russet potatoes, cheddar, bacon, and green onions for a comforting meal.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Base & Dairy

05 - 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
06 - 1 cup whole or 2% milk
07 - 1/2 cup sour cream
08 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

→ Meats

09 - 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

→ Oils & Seasonings

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently.
03 - Stir in diced potatoes and pour in broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
04 - Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or blend half the soup and leave the remainder chunky for desired texture.
05 - Stir in milk, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Cook over low heat, stirring, until the cheese melts and the soup becomes creamy, approximately 5 minutes.
06 - Taste the soup and adjust salt, pepper, and paprika as needed.
07 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with crumbled bacon, extra cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and optional toppings.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like a loaded baked potato in soup form, with all the richness and none of the fuss.
  • You can make it as chunky or silky as you like, depending on how much you blend.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day once all the flavors have had time to cozy up together.
  • It's easy enough for a weeknight but feels special enough to serve to company.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of cooking the garlic separately; adding it too early makes it burn and turn bitter.
  • If you blend the soup while it's still boiling hot, it can splatter and make a mess, so let it cool for a minute or two first.
  • Stir the cheese in over low heat or it can seize up and turn grainy instead of melting smoothly.
03 -
  • Cook your bacon in the oven on a sheet pan for perfectly crispy, evenly cooked strips every time.
  • If you want a thicker soup, mash some of the potatoes with a fork before blending, or add an extra potato.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and use vegetable broth, then top with crispy fried onions or roasted chickpeas for crunch.
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