Loaded Potato Soup with Bacon (Printable Version)

Rich and creamy potato soup loaded with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and fresh green onions for ultimate comfort in a bowl.

# 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 & 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

→ Proteins

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

# How to Prepare:

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 15-20 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 constantly, until cheese melts and soup becomes creamy, approximately 5 minutes.
06 - Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and paprika as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with crumbled bacon, extra cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and optional toppings.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like a baked potato in soup form, rich and satisfying without being heavy.
  • You can adjust the texture from silky smooth to rustic and chunky based on your mood.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day once all the flavors meld together.
  • It uses simple pantry staples and comes together in under an hour.
02 -
  • Blend carefully if using a countertop blender; hot liquid expands and can blow the lid off if you fill it too full.
  • Add the cheese off high heat or it will seize up and turn grainy instead of melting smoothly.
  • If the soup gets too thick after sitting, thin it with a splash of broth or milk when reheating.
03 -
  • Cook your bacon in the oven on a foil-lined sheet at 400 degrees for 15 minutes; it comes out perfectly crispy with no stovetop splatter.
  • Grate your own cheese from a block instead of buying pre-shredded; it melts smoother because it doesn't have anti-caking agents.
  • If you like smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika along with the regular paprika for an extra layer of depth.
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