NOW (FEBRUARY 12, 2019) – The kids are currently having their tenth snow/ice/cold day of the year and I can’t think of a better meal on a snow day then a bowl of creamy, hot, delicious soup! This recipe has been one of my most popular recipes over the years. There is a good reason for that – it’s SO good!!
THEN (AUGUST 30, 2009) – It’s official…fall is here. Well, maybe not officially, but on a day when it doesn’t get above 70 and a week ahead that promises much of the same, I call it open season on soup. Honestly, I just couldn’t wait any longer.
Potato soup has always been my favorite of all the soups. It’s what I order at restaurants when it’s available. There even used to be times when I’d choose a certain restaurant just because I loved their potato soup. I’ve been making it for a few years, but it took me a long time to get it right. My versions used to always lack either the right zip or the right consistency. I can’t tell you how excited I was when I finally got it right.
So here is my Loaded Baked Potato Soup, developed after years of falling short!
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- 1 lb. bacon, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 5 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 c. chicken stock
- 3 T. butter
- 3 T. flour
- 1 1/2 c. milk
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 3/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 t. black pepper
- Sour cream for garnish, optional
1. In a large stock pot, cook bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain and set aside. Drain all but 2 T. of bacon grease from the pot. Cook the onions in the remaining bacon grease for about 5 minutes, until tender.
2. Add potatoes and chicken stock to pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer about 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender. With a slotted spoon, remove a few scoops of potatoes. Place in a bowl and mash with a fork. Set aside.
3. In a small sauce pan, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk, bring to a boil and simmer until thickened. Slowly stir in to stock pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer. Stir mashed potatoes back into pot.
4. Add 1/2 c. shredded cheese, three-fourths of the bacon and half the sliced green onions to pot. Add pepper. Stir to combine. Cook an additional 5 minutes.
5. To serve, ladle soup into individual bowls and top with some shredded cheese, bacon, green onions and optional sour cream.
- 1 lb. bacon, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 5 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 c. chicken stock
- 3 T. butter
- 3 T. flour
- 1 1/2 c. milk
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 3/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 t. black pepper
- Sour cream for garnish, optional
- In a large stock pot, cook bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain and set aside. Drain all but 2 T. of bacon grease from the pot. Cook the onions in the remaining bacon grease for about 5 minutes, until tender.
- Add potatoes and chicken stock to pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer about 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender. With a slotted spoon, remove a few scoops of potatoes. Place in a bowl and mash with a fork. Set aside.
- In a small sauce pan, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk, bring to a boil and simmer until thickened. Slowly stir in to stock pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer. Stir mashed potatoes back into pot.
- Add 1/2 c. shredded cheese, three-fourths of the bacon and half the sliced green onions to pot. Add pepper. Stir to combine. Cook an additional 5 minutes.
- To serve, ladle soup into individual bowls and top with some shredded cheese, bacon, green onions and optional sour cream.