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Cozy Loaded Baked Potato Soup

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A rich, creamy, and comforting soup made with crispy bacon, tender russet potatoes, and sharp cheddar cheese. This easy weeknight meal delivers restaurant-quality flavor with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound thick-cut bacon (preferably applewood smoked), chopped
  • 2 medium yellow onions, diced
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 3 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 0.5 cup green onions, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat and cook bacon until crispy (8-10 minutes). Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, and leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.
  2. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add diced onions to the bacon fat and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add cubed potatoes and broth to the pot. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
  4. Remove lid and mash about half of the potatoes directly in the pot with a potato masher or large spoon, leaving some chunks for texture.
  5. Pour in heavy cream and stir. Simmer for 5 minutes to heat through. Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth. Do not let it boil vigorously after adding cheese.
  6. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and top with reserved crispy bacon and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. To prevent grainy cheese, add it off the heat or on the lowest setting. If the soup is too thick, add more broth; if too thin, simmer longer. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if using gluten-free broth and bacon.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato soup, baked potato soup, bacon soup, comfort food, creamy soup, winter recipes, easy dinner, family meals

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/cozy-loaded-baked-potato-soup-best-comforting-recipe/