Loaded Potato Soup (Printer-Friendly)

Tender potatoes in a rich, creamy broth topped with melted cheddar, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions.

# What You'll 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 and Dairy

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

→ Meats

09 - 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

→ Oils and Seasonings

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

# Directions:

01 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent browning.
03 - Add diced potatoes to the pot and pour in 4 cups 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 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until cheese melts and soup becomes creamy, approximately 5 minutes.
06 - Taste the soup and adjust salt, pepper, and other seasonings as needed to achieve desired flavor profile.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and serve hot, garnished with crumbled bacon, extra cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and optional toppings.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like a fully loaded baked potato but in cozy, spoonable form.
  • You can make it as smooth or as chunky as your mood dictates.
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day after all the flavors meld together.
  • It comes together in under an hour with ingredients you probably already have.
02 -
  • Don't skip peeling the russet potatoes, the skins can turn the soup gritty and gray instead of creamy and inviting.
  • Add the cheese off the heat or on very low heat to prevent it from breaking and becoming grainy.
  • If you're reheating leftovers, do it gently over low heat and add a splash of milk or broth to bring back the creamy consistency.
03 -
  • Cook your bacon in the oven on a sheet pan at 400 degrees for perfectly crispy, hands-off results every time.
  • If your soup gets too thick, thin it out with warm broth or milk instead of cold liquid to keep the temperature consistent.
  • For an extra layer of flavor, roast the diced potatoes in the oven for 20 minutes before adding them to the soup.
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