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Creamy Loaded Baked Potato Soup with Bacon

creamy loaded baked potato soup with bacon - featured image

A comforting and creamy baked potato soup infused with smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and a perfect balance of smooth and chunky textures. Ideal for cozy nights and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups (32 fl oz) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup (8 fl oz) heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Sour cream, optional for topping

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat for 6–8 minutes until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
  2. Add softened butter to the bacon fat and melt over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for 4–5 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Sprinkle flour over onions and garlic, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Add diced potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
  5. Use an immersion blender to puree about half the soup in the pot, leaving some chunks. Alternatively, blend half the soup in batches and return to pot.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add broth or cream if soup is too thick.
  7. Stir most of the crispy bacon back into the soup, reserving some for garnish. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with green onions, extra bacon, and a dollop of sour cream if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Do not boil cream vigorously to avoid curdling. Partial blending is key to achieve creamy yet chunky texture. Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use coconut cream and dairy-free cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

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