Hearty Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Cozy Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe: Hearty Comfort in a Bowl

Comfort winds its way through every creamy spoonful of this loaded baked potato soup recipe that promises pure culinary bliss.

Hearty potatoes blend seamlessly with rich, velvety textures that warm you from the inside out.

Crispy bacon bits and sharp cheddar cheese create a delectable symphony of flavors in each bite.

The soup captures the essence of home-cooked comfort with its robust ingredients and soul-satisfying profile.

Green onions sprinkled on top add a fresh, zesty dimension that elevates the entire dish.

Creamy, indulgent, and remarkably simple to prepare, this soup transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

What You’ll Need For Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking bacon and creating the soup base, with enough space to blend ingredients.
  • Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing crispy bacon without excess grease.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for dicing bacon, onions, and potatoes.
  • Chef's Knife: Sharp and reliable for precise chopping.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Whisk: Great for mixing broth and creating smooth roux.
  • Immersion Blender or Regular Blender: Helps create creamy soup texture.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Useful for stirring and scraping pot bottom.
  • Ladle: Helps serve soup neatly into individual bowls.
  • Paper Towels: Useful for draining bacon and absorbing excess grease.

How To Make Loaded Baked Potato Soup Creamy

  • Bacon Preparation

Sizzle bacon in a large pot until it transforms into crispy golden bites. Transfer the bacon pieces onto paper towels, reserving a tablespoon of the delicious drippings.

  • Flavor Foundation

Soften diced onions in the bacon drippings, creating a fragrant base. Sprinkle minced garlic and let its aroma fill your kitchen.

  • Soup Transformation

Dust flour over the onion mixture, stirring until a silky base develops. Pour in chicken broth and add chunks of potato, letting them simmer until tender and dreamy.

  • Creamy Magic

Gently blend some potato pieces to create a luxurious texture. Swirl in cream and cheese until the soup becomes velvety smooth and irresistibly rich.

  • Final Touch

Pour the steaming soup into bowls. Crown each serving with crispy bacon bits, a sprinkle of cheese, a dab of sour cream, and a shower of fresh green onions.

Tips To Customize Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • Perfect Potato Soup Pro Tips
  • Potato Power: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet for the creamiest texture and best soup consistency. They break down beautifully and create natural thickness.
  • Bacon Brilliance: Cook bacon separately to control crispiness and prevent soggy bits. Reserve extra bacon grease for deeper flavor if desired.
  • Creamy Consistency Control: For ultra-smooth soup, blend entire batch. For chunky texture, mash some potatoes with a potato masher instead of blending completely.
  • Low-Carb Transformation: Replace regular potatoes with cauliflower for a keto-friendly version. Use heavy cream and add extra cheese to maintain richness.
  • Vegetarian Makeover: Swap bacon for smoked paprika and use vegetable broth. Add mushrooms for umami depth and replace bacon with crispy roasted chickpeas for protein and crunch.

Best Ways To Dish Up Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • Cozy Comfort Meal Companion: Pair this hearty soup with a crusty sourdough bread for perfect dipping and soaking up every delicious bite.
  • Seasonal Side Kick: Serve alongside a crisp garden salad with light vinaigrette to balance the soup's rich, creamy texture and add fresh, bright flavors.
  • Game Day Gathering Style: Transform the soup into a fun appetizer by serving in small shot glasses or mini bread bowls, topped with bacon bits for a crowd-pleasing party snack.
  • Wholesome Winter Warmer: Create a complete meal by adding a grilled chicken breast on the side or crumbling rotisserie chicken directly into the soup for extra protein and heartiness.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup Storage Tips

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover soup in airtight containers and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Keep chilled for 3-4 days, maintaining best flavor and safety.
  • Freezing Wisdom: Cool soup completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 2 months, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheating Magic: Warm soup gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of milk or broth to restore creamy consistency if needed. Avoid boiling to prevent separation.
  • Garnish Freshness Tip: Keep bacon, cheese, and green onion toppings separate until serving. Refrigerate individually to maintain crispness and prevent soggy textures when storing soup.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes Into Loaded Baked Potato Soup

For Protein And Flavor Base:
  • Bacon: Renders rich, smoky depth and creates crispy topping with irresistible porky goodness.
  • Chicken Broth: Provides savory liquid foundation that enhances overall soup complexity.
For Aromatic Vegetables:
  • Onion: Builds subtle sweetness and creates robust flavor base for soup.
  • Garlic: Adds warm, pungent undertone that elevates entire dish's taste profile.
For Creamy Thickening And Richness:
  • Flour: Helps create silky smooth texture and thickens soup naturally.
  • Milk: Introduces gentle creaminess and softens soup's overall consistency.
  • Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, velvety mouthfeel with elegant richness.
  • Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully, offering sharp tangy notes and extra creaminess.
  • Sour Cream: Provides cool, tangy contrast and additional creamy dimension.
For Hearty Base And Texture:
  • Potatoes: Serve as substantial, starchy foundation creating comforting, filling soup.
For Fresh Garnish:
  • Green Onions: Sprinkle bright, mild onion flavor and add vibrant color pop.
For Seasoning:
  • Salt, Pepper: Balance and enhance all underlying flavors perfectly.
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Hearty Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Hearty Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe


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4.5 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Rich, comforting loaded baked potato soup combines classic comfort ingredients with hearty flavor. Home cooks can easily craft this creamy American classic for satisfying winter meals.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 russet potatoes (about 34 medium potatoes), peeled and diced
  • 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth
  • 6 slices bacon, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 3 green onions, sliced, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bacon Preparation: Render bacon to crispy perfection in a large pot over medium heat, transferring golden pieces to a paper towel-lined plate while reserving a tablespoon of rendered fat.
  2. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté onions in reserved bacon fat until translucent, then introduce minced garlic and cook briefly to release their fragrant essence. Dust with flour, creating a smooth roux that will provide depth and thickness to the soup.
  3. Liquid Integration: Stream chicken broth into the pot, whisking continuously to eliminate lumps. Add diced potatoes and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes become tender and easily pierced.
  4. Textural Transformation: Use an immersion blender to partially puree the mixture, breaking down some potatoes to create a luxurious, creamy consistency while maintaining delightful potato chunks.
  5. Flavor Enhancement: Stir in milk, heavy cream, and shredded cheese until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper to elevate the soup’s complex flavor profile.
  6. Presentation Finale: Ladle the steaming soup into deep bowls, crowning with crispy bacon bits, additional cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant and indulgent finish.

Notes

  • Bacon Perfection: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to achieve golden, crispy texture without burning, ensuring maximum flavor and crunch for the soup’s topping.
  • Potato Selection Matters: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for optimal creaminess and thickness, as they break down beautifully during cooking and create a rich texture.
  • Blending Technique: Use an immersion blender cautiously, partially pureeing the soup to maintain some potato chunks, which adds rustic appeal and prevents a completely smooth consistency.
  • Dairy Balance: Add milk and cream gradually, stirring constantly to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, velvety soup without curdling or becoming grainy.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 27 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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