Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe

This delicious and creamy Potato Soup recipe satisfies even the pickiest eaters with crisp bacon and a creamy, cheesy broth.

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword how to make a loaded potato soup, how to make loaded potato soup, loaded potato soup recipe, what goes with loaded potato soup

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 345kcal

Author Beth Pierce

In a Dutch oven or heavy stockpot over medium heat, brown the bacon. Using a slotted spoon remove the bacon from the pan reserving the grease. Add enough butter to make 2 tablespoons of fat. Melt the butter over medium heat. Add the potatoes and onions to the pan cooking for 5 minutes or until the onions are soft. Add the garlic and the cayenne pepper; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Using a slotted spoon remove the potatoes, onions, and garlic to a bowl or plate, reserving any fat in the pan.
Melt enough butter to make 4 tablespoons of fat. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in the chicken broth and milk in several intervals alternating between the two.
Add the potatoes, onions, and garlic back to the pot and simmer until the potatoes are tender.
Whisk in both shredded cheeses until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the bacon, sour cream, chives, and salt and pepper to taste.

Bacon is much easier to chop when partially frozen, so toss it in the freezer about an hour before you start preparing the soup.
The best potatoes for this soup are Russets. I always say don't use Russet Potatoes in soup because they will start to break down. Well, there is an exception to every rule, and in this particular case, you want the potatoes to break down slightly into the soup, creating an ultra-creamy texture.
Don't add the bacon and sour cream until the end, as you want the bacon to stay crispy and the sour cream not to curdle.
Store leftovers (if there are any) in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave at reduced power.
Top with chopped crispy bacon, sour cream, green onions, finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and chopped chives.