Description
This comforting Baked Potato Soup recipe combines creamy potatoes, melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and a flavorful onion-garlic base to create a rich and hearty soup perfect for cozy meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes, baked and scooped
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 green onions or chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the base: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing them until the onion becomes translucent and the mixture is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Make the roux: Stir in the all-purpose flour, cooking it for 1 to 2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth to ensure a smooth mixture without lumps.
- Add liquids: Pour in the whole milk or half-and-half and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the soup thickens slightly.
- Incorporate potatoes: Add the scooped baked potatoes into the pot. Mash them slightly with a spoon to create texture. Stir in the sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese is fully melted and the soup is creamy.
- Season: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper according to your preference.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish each serving with crumbled cooked bacon, chopped green onions or chives, and additional shredded cheddar cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half with whole milk or a combination of milk and cream for a richer taste.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and omit the bacon garnish.
- To save time, bake potatoes in advance or use microwave-baked potatoes.
- Feel free to add extra toppings such as sour cream dollops, extra cheese, or crispy onions.
- Adjusted salt carefully, as both bacon and cheese add saltiness to the soup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
