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Creamy Cheesy Loaded Potato Soup with Bacon

creamy cheesy loaded potato soup with bacon - featured image
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A comforting and creamy potato soup loaded with sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, perfect for cozy winter nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 6 to 8 bacon strips, cut into small pieces
  • 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half or dairy-free alternative)
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 green onions, sliced thin
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: extra shredded cheddar, chives, sour cream

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
  2. Add butter to the bacon fat and melt over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste until the mixture looks paste-like and bubbles gently.
  4. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Add diced potatoes and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
  5. Mash some of the potatoes in the pot with a potato masher to thicken the soup naturally. For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to blend about half the soup, leaving some chunks.
  6. Lower the heat and stir in milk, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Stir gently until cheese melts and soup is creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Add more milk or broth if soup is too thick.
  7. Reserve a small handful of bacon and green onions for garnish. Stir the rest into the soup and warm for 2-3 minutes without boiling.
  8. Ladle hot soup into bowls and top with reserved bacon, green onions, extra shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Notes

Use russet potatoes for best thickening. Cook bacon separately for crispy texture and flavor. Keep heat low when adding cheese and dairy to prevent curdling. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend or cornstarch slurry. For vegetarian, omit bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke and vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato soup, loaded potato soup, cheesy potato soup, bacon soup, creamy soup, winter soup, comfort food

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/creamy-cheesy-loaded-potato-soup-with-bacon-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-winter/