Loaded Cheesy Potato Soup 🥔🧀🥓
The Ultimate Comfort Food
When the weather gets chilly, nothing warms the soul like a bowl of rich and creamy potato soup. This Loaded Cheesy Potato Soup is thick, velvety, and loaded with tender potatoes, smoky bacon, and melty cheddar cheese. It’s basically like eating a baked potato in soup form — pure comfort in every spoonful!
Ingredients
- 6 medium russet potatoes (peeled & cubed)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional for flavor)
- Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon
- In a large pot, cook bacon until crispy. Remove, crumble, and set aside. Leave about 1 tbsp of bacon grease in the pot.
- Build the Base
- Add butter to the pot with onions and garlic. Sauté until fragrant. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to make a roux.
- Add Potatoes
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then add cubed potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender (15–20 minutes).
- Make it Creamy
- Stir in milk and heavy cream. Simmer gently (don’t boil) to thicken.
- Cheesy Goodness
- Add shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Finish & Serve
- Top with crispy bacon, more shredded cheese, and a sprinkle of parsley or green onions.
Tips & Variations
- 🥦 Add broccoli or cauliflower for extra veggies.
- 🌶 Stir in a little hot sauce or cayenne for a spicy kick.
- 🍗 Use shredded rotisserie chicken for a heartier version.
- 🥛 Lighten it up with half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
🥄 This Loaded Potato Soup is thick, cheesy, and so comforting — perfect with warm crusty bread on the side.