Loaded Potato Soup: 7 Comforting Variations to Try Recipe
This loaded potato soup recipe offers a comforting and creamy meal featuring tender potatoes, savory bacon, and rich cheddar cheese. Perfect for chilly days, this soup combines simple ingredients to create a hearty dish enjoyed by the whole family.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the onion: In a large pot, heat some oil or butter over medium heat and cook the chopped onion until it becomes translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. This releases the onion’s natural sweetness and builds a flavorful base.
- Add potatoes and broth: Add the diced potatoes to the pot along with the chicken broth. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes.
- Blend the soup: Using an immersion blender directly in the pot or carefully transferring in batches to a blender, puree the soup mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Add cream and cheese: Return the blended soup to the pot if needed and stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Continue stirring over low heat until the cheese is completely melted and the soup is heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Season: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as desired.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with the crumbled cooked bacon and sliced green onions for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and omit the bacon topping.
- Use a potato variety like Russet or Yukon Gold for the best texture.
- To save time, cook bacon in advance or use store-bought bacon bits.
- Adjust the thickness by adding more broth if you prefer a thinner soup.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: loaded potato soup, creamy potato soup, potato bacon soup, comfort food soup, cheddar cheese soup
