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Creamy Loaded Potato Soup with Bacon and Cheddar

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A comforting and creamy potato soup loaded with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for cozy gatherings and quick weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 6–8 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Scallions or chives, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the chopped bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.
  2. Add butter to the pot with the bacon fat. Once melted, stir in the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
  5. Use an immersion blender to puree about half of the soup in the pot, leaving some potato chunks for texture. If using a regular blender, carefully blend half the soup and return it to the pot.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese melts completely. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Stir in most of the crispy bacon bits, reserving some for garnish. Heat through for a couple more minutes.
  8. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with scallions or chives and remaining bacon bits.

Notes

If the soup thickens too much after resting, stir in a splash of broth or cream to loosen it. Blend only half the soup to keep a creamy yet chunky texture. Use sharp cheddar for best flavor. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream and use nutritional yeast instead of cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato soup, creamy potato soup, loaded potato soup, bacon soup, cheddar cheese soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe

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