Loaded Potato Soup – Recipes Life Style

A classic comfort food perfect for chilly nights, this Loaded Potato Soup is creamy, hearty, and filled with savory flavors. With crispy bacon, creamy potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, and a touch of sour cream, this soup will quickly become a family favorite. Whether you’re serving it for a cozy weeknight dinner or a gathering, it’s the perfect dish to satisfy your comfort food cravings.

🕒 Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40–50 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Difficulty: Easy
Diet: Comfort food, gluten-free (if using gluten-free bacon)

🛒 Ingredients

1 package (12 oz) bacon
1 ½ cups chopped onion
6 cups chicken broth (from two 32-oz cartons)
6 medium-sized russet potatoes (peeled and diced)
3 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup sour cream
2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
½ cup crumbled bacon (for garnish)

🔪 Instructions

✅ Step 1: Cook the Bacon

Start by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bacon strips and cook them until crispy, which will take about 6-8 minutes. Keep a close eye on the bacon, turning it as needed to ensure it crisps up evenly. Once done, use a pair of tongs to remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Save a little bit of the bacon drippings in the pot for later steps to enhance the flavor of the soup.
Once the bacon has cooled, chop it into small, bite-sized pieces. Set aside for later use as garnish. You’ll need about ½ cup of crumbled bacon, but feel free to add more for extra crunch!

✅ Step 2: Sauté the Onions

In the same pot where you cooked the bacon, you’ll notice some bacon drippings left behind. This will serve as the perfect base to sauté your onions and infuse them with rich, savory flavors.
Add the chopped onions to the pot and sauté them over medium heat for about 3–5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent them from burning. You’ll want the onions to become soft and translucent, as this brings out their natural sweetness and flavor.
As the onions soften, you’ll notice the wonderful aromas beginning to fill the kitchen, creating a warm, comforting atmosphere for the rest of the recipe.

✅ Step 3: Add the Broth and Potatoes

Now it’s time to add the chicken broth to the pot. Pour in 6 cups (from two 32-ounce cartons). Bring the broth to a boil over medium-high heat. As the broth heats up, stir gently to combine the sautéed onions and the savory liquid base. This will help distribute all the flavors evenly.
Once the broth reaches a boil, add the peeled and diced russet potatoes. The potatoes will add heartiness and bulk to the soup, making it filling and comforting. Bring the mixture back to a simmer, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the potatoes to cook for about 15–20 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
During this time, your kitchen will start to smell incredible as the potatoes begin to soften and absorb all the flavors from the bacon drippings and broth.

✅ Step 4: Blend and Add Cream

Once the potatoes are cooked through, use an immersion blender to purée part of the soup. This will create a creamy base while leaving some chunks of potatoes for texture. If you don’t have an immersion blender, simply transfer about 3-4 cups of the soup into a regular blender, pulse to blend, and then return it to the pot.
After blending, stir in the heavy cream to give the soup a rich and velvety texture. The cream will balance out the richness of the bacon and provide that luscious consistency we crave in a classic potato soup.
Add garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine all the seasonings. Simmer the soup for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to marry together and the soup to thicken to your desired consistency.

✅ Step 5: Add Cheese and Sour Cream

Now it’s time to make the soup even more indulgent! Add 1 ½ cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the soup and stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted into the soup. The cheese will make the soup creamy and cheesy, elevating it to the next level of comfort food.
Once the cheese is melted, stir in ½ cup of sour cream. This will add a tangy richness and creaminess that complements the cheesy potatoes perfectly.
The combination of cheese, sour cream, and creamy potatoes will result in a velvety texture that coats the back of your spoon and warms you up from the inside out.

✅ Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, and garnish with the crumbled bacon, an extra sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, and a few slices of chopped green onions for a fresh and vibrant finish.
The combination of the crispy bacon, creamy soup, and melted cheese will create the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The green onions provide a burst of color and freshness that cuts through the richness of the soup, giving each bite a delightful contrast.
Serve the soup immediately while it’s hot and bubbling. Pair with a warm, crusty loaf of bread for dipping, and enjoy the comforting, hearty meal that is sure to become a regular on your dinner table.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This Loaded Potato Soup pairs perfectly with a variety of sides. Here are some great ideas to complement the soup:

Serve with crusty bread, garlic bread, or biscuit for dipping into the creamy soup.
Add a side of fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette to balance out the richness of the soup.
You could even top the soup with extra garnishes, such as sour cream, extra crispy bacon, or even chopped chives for additional flavor.

🧠 Nutrition Info (Per Serving) (approximate)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	380 kcal
Protein	16g
Fat	28g
Carbs	18g
Fiber	3g
Sugar	3g
Net Carbs	15g

Nutrition may vary slightly depending on ingredients used and portion size.