The Ultimate Comfort: Baked Potato Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Baked potato soup crafts ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that beckons comfort and warmth.

Creamy textures dance with robust flavors, promising a symphony of satisfaction in each carefully crafted spoonful.

Hearty potatoes serve as the foundation for this soul-soothing creation, inviting hungry diners to indulge in pure, rustic comfort.

Layers of rich ingredients intertwine, creating a harmonious blend that speaks to traditional home cooking with a modern twist.

Complex yet approachable, this soup represents more than just a meal—it’s a nostalgic journey through familiar, delectable sensations.

Seasonal and versatile, the soup adapts beautifully to different garnishes and personal preferences, making it a true crowd-pleaser.

Your taste buds will be captivated by its depth and complexity.

Why This Soup Feels Like a Warm Blanket in a Bowl

• Indulge in Comfort: This soup wraps you in warm, creamy goodness that feels like a hug in a bowl, perfect for chilly days or when you need culinary comfort.
• Bacon Bliss Technique: Clever use of bacon drippings infuses deep, rich flavor throughout the soup, creating a smoky base that elevates every single spoonful with incredible depth.
• Customize Your Creaminess: Flexible blending options allow you to control the soup's texture – from chunky potato pieces to silky smooth – making it adaptable to personal preferences and ensuring everyone's satisfaction.
• Quick Weekend Winner: Despite seeming complex, this recipe comes together in under an hour, delivering restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort, making it ideal for lazy weekend cooking or impressing dinner guests without spending all day in the kitchen.

The Building Blocks of Creamy Comfort

• Bacon: Provides crispy, savory topping and rich, smoky flavor. Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum crispiness and depth of taste.

• Potatoes, Onion, Garlic: Foundational ingredients creating hearty soup base. Select starchy potatoes like Russet for best texture and creamy consistency.

• Half-and-Half, Sour Cream, Butter, Cheddar Cheese: Contribute creamy richness and smooth texture. Opt for full-fat dairy for maximum flavor and silky mouthfeel.
• Flour: Crucial thickening agent that helps create soups luxurious consistency.

• Chicken Broth: Provides essential liquid base and depth of flavor. Low-sodium broth allows better control of salt levels.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Simple seasonings enhancing overall taste profile. Freshly ground black pepper offers more robust flavor.

Stir, Simmer, Smile—Soup’s On!

Step 1: Crisp Up The Bacon

Cook bacon pieces in a large pot over low heat until crispy. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving of bacon drippings in the pot for added flavor.

• Bacon pieces
• Paper towels

Step 2: Prepare Potatoes

Peel and cube potatoes, then place in a stockpot with water and salt. Boil for 20 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain and gently mash potatoes, setting aside for later use.

• Potatoes
• Salt
• Water

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

In the pot with bacon drippings, sauté chopped onion on medium heat for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and butter, cooking for 1 more minute.

• Onion
• Garlic
• Butter

Step 4: Create Soup Base

Whisk flour into the onion mixture, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Slowly pour in chicken broth, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan.

• Flour
• Chicken broth

Step 5: Add Creamy Liquid

Stir in half-and-half while mixing thoroughly. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.

• Half-and-half

Step 6: Combine Ingredients

Mix in mashed potatoes, ensuring even distribution. Add sour cream and black pepper, allowing flavors to meld while simmering.

• Mashed potatoes
• Sour cream
• Black pepper

Step 7: Blend For Smoothness

Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or carefully transfer soup to a regular blender. Blend until reaching desired smooth consistency.

• Immersion blender or regular blender

Step 8: Finish With Cheese

Gradually add cheddar cheese, stirring consistently until fully melted. Avoid boiling to maintain a smooth texture.

• Cheddar cheese

Step 9: Serve And Garnish

Ladle soup into bowls and top generously with crispy bacon bits from Step 1.

Tips for a Thick, Dreamy Spoonful Every Time

• Bacon Bliss: Cook bacon low and slow to render maximum flavor without burning, ensuring crispy, golden-brown pieces that add incredible depth to your soup.
• Potato Perfection: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet for a creamy, smooth texture that breaks down easily and creates a luxurious soup base.
• Seasoning Secrets: Taste and adjust salt and pepper throughout cooking to build layers of flavor, preventing bland or overly salty results.
• Cheese Melt Mastery: Add cheese off direct heat and stir gently to prevent clumping, creating a silky smooth consistency that coats each spoonful beautifully.
• Consistency Control: Use an immersion blender sparingly if you want some potato chunks, or blend completely for an ultra-smooth soup that's rich and velvety.

Best Storage for Soup That Stays Soul-Warming

• Storing and Reheating Leftovers
• Refrigerate leftover soup in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store the soup separately from toppings like bacon bits to maintain their crispness. Chilled soup will keep safely for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Method: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Technique: Warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth or half-and-half if the soup seems too thick.

Crusty Bread or Bacon Bits? What Pairs Best

• Crisp and Creamy Companions: Pair this hearty baked potato soup with a crisp, cold beer like a light pilsner or wheat ale to balance the rich, creamy texture. The carbonation cuts through the soup's heaviness while complementing its comforting flavors.
• Rustic Salad Sidekick: Serve alongside a fresh arugula salad with a tangy vinaigrette dressing. The peppery greens and bright acidity will contrast beautifully with the soup's smooth, warm profile, creating a perfectly balanced meal.
• Crusty Bread Buddy: Grab a warm, crusty sourdough or rustic country bread to dip into the soup. The bread's slightly sour notes and crunchy exterior will soak up the creamy broth, adding an extra layer of texture and flavor to each delightful spoonful.
• Wine Wheel Pairing: Choose a crisp, unoaked chardonnay or a light pinot grigio to complement the soup's creamy base. These wines offer enough acidity to cut through the richness while enhancing the subtle potato and bacon flavors.

Fun Add-Ins to Make It Your Own

• Rustic Herb-Infused Potato Soup: Enhance the base recipe by adding fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage during the onion sautéing stage for an aromatic herbal profile.
• Spicy Southwestern Potato Soup: Incorporate diced green chilies, cumin, and a dash of cayenne pepper to give the soup a bold, zesty kick that warms from the inside out.
• Loaded Potato Soup Extravaganza: Top the finished soup with additional garnishes like sliced green onions, extra crispy bacon crumbles, and a dollop of sour cream to create a fully loaded experience.
• Vegetarian Potato Comfort Bowl: Replace bacon with smoked paprika and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, then add roasted cauliflower or mushrooms for depth and protein.

Baked Potato Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting Baked Potato Soup brings creamy Wisconsin cheddar and crispy bacon together in a rich, hearty bowl. Russet potatoes blend with smooth cream and savory herbs, offering a warm embrace that satisfies winter hunger while delighting taste buds.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large Russet potatoes (approximately 2 pounds / 907 grams, peeled and diced)
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon (chopped into 1-inch pieces)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 3.5 cups (828 milliliters) chicken broth
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) half-and-half cream

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 large yellow onion (finely chopped)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¾ teaspoon salt (for boiling the potatoes)
• ¾ cup (177 milliliters) chives (finely diced for garnish)

Thickening and Binding Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (177 milliliters) sour cream

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Instructions

1. Render bacon pieces in a large pot over low heat until golden and crisp. Transfer crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving of rendered fat in the pot.
2. Wash, peel, and cube potatoes. Submerge potato cubes in a stockpot with approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of water, seasoning with salt. Boil for 20 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain and gently mash potatoes, setting aside for later incorporation.
3. Utilize the bacon fat to sauté diced onions over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes until translucent. Introduce minced garlic and butter, cooking for an additional minute to develop aromatic flavors.
4. Sprinkle flour into the onion mixture, whisking continuously for 60 seconds. Gradually pour chicken broth, scraping the pot’s bottom to capture all caramelized remnants.
5. Incorporate half-and-half into the broth, stirring consistently. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to maintain a low temperature.
6. Fold mashed potatoes into the creamy base, ensuring even distribution. Stir in sour cream and freshly ground black pepper, allowing flavors to meld during a brief simmering period.
7. For enhanced smoothness, use an immersion blender directly in the pot or carefully transfer soup to a standard blender. Process until achieving a velvety consistency, then return to the original cooking vessel.
8. Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring constantly until completely melted. Maintain a low temperature to prevent separation. Ladle into serving bowls and garnish generously with reserved crispy bacon pieces.

Notes

• Crisp bacon becomes the secret weapon, transforming this soup from ordinary to extraordinary with its smoky crunch.
• Softened onions and garlic create a flavor foundation that whispers comfort and warmth in every spoonful.
• Mashed potatoes blend seamlessly, turning the liquid into a velvety landscape of creamy deliciousness.
• Cheese melts slowly, creating golden ribbons that stretch and tangle through the rich, hearty soup.
• Immersion blending offers flexibility for those who prefer silky smooth or chunky textures, making this recipe adaptable to personal preferences.
• Sour cream adds a tangy brightness that cuts through the richness, balancing each luxurious bite perfectly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Simmering, Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 877mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 16g
• Cholesterol: 70mg