Loaded Baked Potato Soup is truly one of the most comforting soup recipes that I can think of. It's rich and hearty and is topped with all the wonderful things that make a loaded baked potato delicious. An extra sprinkle of crispy bacon never hurt anything, amiright?!
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If you're hungry for more hearty, belly-filling soup recipes look no further! Try my Beef Chili, White Lasagna Soup, or Seafood Chowder. They're all super easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
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Is there anything more comforting than a big loaded baked potato? I mean, the cheese and sour cream and the bacon. Loads of butter. You can't do without the chives. It's just a thing of pure beauty. BUT, let's turn that into a decadent soup. Now we're talking!
Loaded Baked Potato Soup is not only out-of-this-world in the comfort department, but it's also so easy to make. The potatoes bake in the oven to get nice and soft. No peel, no dicing, no muss, no fuss! The soup itself comes together in no time.
Make this soup for those cold, dreary days. Enjoy it when you want something super simple, but with incredible flavors. Make it when someone has the sniffles, or just because. This Loaded Baked Potato Soup checks all the boxes. Try it one time and you'll get requests for it time and time again!
ingredients
The ingredient's in this Loaded Baked Potato Soup are extremely basic. Most days I have the majority of these things in my fridge and pantry, and I'll be you do, too! Here’s everything you’ll need to make it:
Bacon, butter, onion, and garlic. Cooking in a dutch oven. This is the smell of comfort. I can't think of anything better. They should turn this into a candle.
Chicken broth and heavy cream. They come together to make the creamy, silky soup base that will leave your people running back for seconds. Or, at least that's what happens in my house!
Russet Potatoes. This is 100% my preferred potato for this recipe. It doesn't get gummy. No one wants a gummy, gooey soup. Nobody.
Sour Cream, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, and Chives. What's a loaded baked potato without these things? It's nonexistent is what. You can measure these things with your heart!
instructions
the potatoes
One of my most, if not the most, loathed kitchen chores is peeling a potato. I would rather chew on my thumb than peel a potato, so I try very hard not to. For this Loaded Baked Potato Soup, we are going to bypass the peeling entirely and bake the potatoes in the oven.
Once they're soft, the potato meat is simply scooped out and put into a bowl. Using a fork or potato masher, break up the potato pieces. If you like your soup chunky, leave them chunky. If you like your potato more mashed, mash it more. The more you mash, the thicker the soup will become. This part is totally up to you!
Simple, simple. No peeling required.
the soup
I've not ever seen a Loaded Baked Potato without bacon, so we need to cook some. Into the dutch oven on medium-high heat, add the bacon and cook it until the fat renders and the bacon is crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside. We'll need it later for adding back into the soup and for toppings.
Time to add some more flavor! Throw in the butter and onions, cooking until the onions become soft and translucent. Next, add in the garlic and give it just a few minutes to become fragrant.
Next, add the chicken broth and the sour cream. Whisk this until they are both combined. Carefully, add the potato pieces, cheese, and heavy cream to the dutch oven. Stir this until the cheese has melted and isn't stringy.
At this point, the Loaded Baked Potato Soup is technically done. However, feel free to garnish with as much crispy bacon, extra cheese, large dollops of sour cream, and fresh chives as will fit in your bowl.
Or, at least, that's how it do it. Enjoy!
recipe frequently asked questions
Do I have to bake the potatoes first?
If you don't want to bake the potatoes in the oven, throw them in the microwave. You'll turn this recipe into a 30-Minute Meal! Most microwaves have a baked potato button now, but 10-15 minutes is a good estimate of the time it will take for them to cook.
What other toppings would be good on Loaded Baked Potato Soup?
We all know I love a good garnish. The usual suspects are extra cheese, a dollop of sour cream, crispy bacon, and lot's of chives. For something fun, add in sliced jalapeños, your favorite croutons, fried onion strings, or even pico de gallo. The sky is the limit! Add what you love!
Is this soup gluten-free?
This Loaded Baked Potato Soup is completely gluten-free! We are gonna mash part of the potato to create the thickener in this recipe. No need for flour or anything else. Just potato!
Do I have to use Russet potatotes?
I highly suggest it. If you use something like a Yukon Gold or New Red Potatoes, they came become quite gummy and make the texture of the soup a little funky. The Russets have the perfect amount of starch for this soup.
variations
- Broth - Chicken or vegetable broth would work here. Use what you have on hand!
- Cheese - Play with different types of cheese. You can use your favorite. Monterrey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese would be fanastic.
- Protein - If you don't have bacon, you can definitely use ham instead. It's a fantastic option and the flavor is perfect for this soup.
- Cream - If you don't have heavy cream, whole milk is a great option. If you prefer, you can use a plant-based milk as well.
tips and tricks
- Don't use pre-shredded cheese. It's coating with an anti-caking agent and it just doesn't melt well. Shred your own.
- You can peel the potatoes and cook them in the broth if that is what you prefer.
- Add the cheese very slowly to the soup for the best result.
storage and reheating instructions
- This soup will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze this soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw out slowly in the fridge.
- To reheat, cover with a damp paper towel and heat in the microwave in increments, stirring often and until the soup is warmed through.
- For stovetop reheating, add leftovers to a saucepan and heat on medium-low heat until warm.
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If you guys make this Loaded Baked Potato Soup, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
Recipe
Loaded Baked Potato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
The Soup
- 12 oz bacon
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 5-6 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- chives, bacon, extra cheese and sour cream, for garnish
Instructions
The Potatoes
- Place the potatoes into a preheated 400° oven for about an hour or until they are soft. Remove from the oven and let them cool enough so you can handle them.
- Scoop out the middle and put that into a bowl. Using a fork or potato masher, break up the potatoes a bit. If you like it chunky, leave them chunky. If you like the potato pieces smaller, mash them into smaller pieces. The more you mash, the thicker the soup will be.
The Soup
- In a large dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until the fat renders and it becomes crispy. Chop into small pieces and set the bacon aside.
- Add the butter to the bacon fat. Sauté the onions until soft. Once the onions become translucent, add the garlic cooking for just a few minutes or until fragrant.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the chicken broth and sour cream, whisking until they are combined.
- Add in the potato, cheese, and heavy cream. Stir until the cheese melts and is well combined and not stringy.
- Taste for salt and pepper. Add any if desired.
- Garnish with the crispy bacon pieces, extra cheese, dollops of sour cream, and as many chives as your heart tells you.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Loaded Baked Potato Soup recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or star rating below. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
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Debbie Bradshaw says
such a hardy, flavorful soup and fun to put your own toppings on it!
Rufus says
Thank you so much! I'm so very happy you liked this soup!
Kellen Walker says
This was first time making potato soup that didn’t come it a bag. It was simple and delicious and will definitely be making it from now on!
Rufus says
Hey, Kellen! Thank you so very much for letting me know. This means the world. Have a great day!