Creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor — the ultimate bowl of cozy!
There’s nothing quite like a hearty bowl of loaded potato soup to warm you from the inside out. Creamy, cheesy, and filled with all your favorite toppings, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser for chilly days or any time you crave something cozy and satisfying.
Here is what you’ll need:
- Meat – most commonly used is bacon for this recipe, you can substitute for cubed ham if desired.
- Potatoes – you can use Russet, Idaho, or Yukon gold potatoes.
- Veggies – Most prefer to just add onion and garlic, but you can spice it up by adding cubed carrots and celery to the soup as well.
- Cream – You can always use heavy whipping cream of course. But you can also make a roux to thicken the soup instead with butter, flour, broth, and milk to give it a more homemade taste.
- Cheese – Mild cheddar or sharp cheddar are always great options.
How to Make It
-
Cook the Potatoes:
Place potatoes in a pot, cover with water, season with salt, and cook until tender. Drain and set aside. -
Cook the Bacon:
In a large Dutch oven, sauté bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, reserving about 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease. -
Sauté the Veggies:
Add onions and a little butter to the pot. Sauté until soft, then add garlic and cook until fragrant. -
Build the Base:
Whisk in flour, milk, and broth until smooth and slightly thickened. -
Combine and Simmer:
Add the drained potatoes back in, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a soft boil. -
Finish with Flavor:
Stir in sour cream, shredded cheese, and bacon. Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat.
Serve the creamy potato soup with your favorite toppings!
Dress it up with your favorite toppings to make it a truly loaded soup! Here are some options:
- Bacon bits
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Diced Avocado
- Green onion or chives