Description
Packed with crispy bacon, tender potatoes and melted cheddar, this Loaded Baked Potato Soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food, offering a hearty meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon, diced
- 5–6 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and diced small
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 celery stalk, plus leaves, minced
- 1/2 white or yellow onion, minced
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
- Sour cream, for serving
- Cracked black pepper, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, crisp the diced bacon over medium heat. Once crisp, remove the bacon, leaving two tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
- Add the minced celery and onions. Sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the diced potatoes. Season with salt and pepper, stirring to coat them in the bacon fat.
- Sprinkle the flour over the potatoes and toss to coat. Cook for 2-3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add half of the crisped bacon, bay leaves and fresh thyme to the pot. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender, but not mushy.
- Remove the bay leaves and thyme stems.
- Pour in the heavy cream and allow to heat through.
- Slowly stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the fresh parsley.
- Ladle the soup into bowls, and garnish with the remaining bacon, extra cheddar cheese, sour cream, cracked black pepper, and fresh parsley.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Dice the potatoes as small as you can for quicker cooking.
- Easily substitute Russet potatoes with red potatoes. Leave the skin on, if you desire.
- Stir the soup as it is simmering.
- The soup may appear too thick as it is simmering, but will thin out with the incorporation of the heavy cream.
- For thicker soup, smash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot.
- Garnish with your favorite toppings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup, Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American