Warm & Creamy Baked Potato Soup Recipe to Hug Your Soul

Warm, comforting bowls of hearty potato soup with crispy bacon bits send comfort straight to your soul.

This creamy potato soup recipe delivers pure culinary bliss in every spoonful.

Hearty chunks of potato swim in a rich, velvety broth that promises satisfaction.

Soft potatoes blend seamlessly with smooth cream and savory seasonings.

Crisp bacon crumbles add a delightful crunch to each silky bite.

Weeknight dinners or cozy weekend meals become extraordinary with this soul-warming soup.

You’ll want to ladle this delectable creation into deep bowls and savor every comforting spoonful.

Tips to Make Baked Potato Soup Even Better

• Pro Tips & Twists
• Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest, most luxurious soup texture that melts in your mouth.
• Reserve extra crispy bacon bits as a vibrant topping that adds delightful crunch and smoky flavor to each spoonful of soup.
• Using an immersion blender lets you control soup thickness precisely – blend partially for chunky texture or fully for silky smoothness without messy transfers.
• Experiment by stirring in roasted garlic, adding fresh chives, or sprinkling smoked paprika to elevate the soup's depth and create your signature version.
• This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Simply cool completely, store in airtight containers, and reheat gently while stirring to restore perfect creamy consistency.

Serving Baked Potato Soup Comfort-Style

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Ladle this hearty soup into deep ceramic mugs or rustic bowls that showcase its creamy texture and rich color. Pair with crusty sourdough bread or warm garlic toast for perfect dipping.
• Toppings Galore Station: Create a fun topping bar with chopped green onions, extra crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, dollops of sour cream, and fresh chives. Let everyone customize their soup experience.
• Seasonal Side Kick: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette or roasted winter vegetables like Brussels sprouts and carrots. This adds nutritional balance and complements the soup's rich flavors.
• Hearty Meal Companion: Transform this soup into a complete dinner by adding a protein like grilled chicken strips or sliced smoked sausage on top. Serve with a glass of dry white wine for an elevated dining moment.

Smart Storage Tips for Baked Potato Soup

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover soup in airtight containers, keeping them sealed tightly in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before transferring to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor quality.
• Freezing Friendly Option: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving one inch of space at the top for expansion. These batches can stay frozen up to 2 months, offering convenient future meal solutions when time is tight.
• Reheating Magic Trick: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then gently warm on stovetop over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and add a splash of chicken broth to restore original creamy consistency, preventing separation of ingredients.
• Garnish Refresh Technique: When serving stored soup, revive its appeal by sprinkling fresh crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, or additional shredded cheese on top. These quick additions restore the soup's visual attractiveness and enhance its flavor profile instantly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients Needed for Baked Potato Soup

• Bacon: Adds smoky depth and crispy texture to the soup, choose thick-cut for maximum richness.
• Garlic, Onion: Creates aromatic foundation, select fresh firm bulbs with no soft spots or sprouts.

• Russet Potatoes: Starchy variety perfect for creamy soups, pick firm potatoes without green spots or blemishes.
• Chicken Broth: Provides savory liquid base, opt for low-sodium version to control salt levels.
• Half-and-Half Cream: Delivers luxurious smoothness, use fresh cream for best taste.
• Butter, Flour: Creates roux for thickening, ensure butter is unsalted for precise seasoning.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and silky finish, choose full-fat for most indulgent texture.

• Cheddar Cheese: Brings sharp flavor and melty goodness, select aged cheddar for more intense taste.
• Chives: Provides fresh, mild onion-like garnish, use bright green, crisp chives.
• Black Pepper, Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use freshly ground pepper for best results.

Tools for Cooking Baked Potato Soup

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking bacon and preparing the soup base.
• Stockpot: Used for boiling and mashing potatoes.
• Paper Towels: For draining crispy bacon.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and potatoes.
• Sharp Knife: For precise potato and onion cutting.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending flour and incorporating broth smoothly.
• Immersion Blender or Regular Blender: Helps achieve creamy soup consistency.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient portions.

How to Make Baked Potato Soup from Scratch

• Bacon Groundwork

Sizzle crispy bacon pieces in a large pot, creating a rich, smoky foundation. Reserve the bacon on paper towels, keeping just enough drippings for deep flavor.

• Potato Preparation

Boil potato chunks until tender and easily mashable. Drain and gently crush the potatoes, setting them aside for the soup’s creamy base.

• Aromatic Base

Sauté onions and garlic in the remaining bacon drippings, building layers of savory goodness. The kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma that promises deliciousness.

• Liquid Magic

Sprinkle flour into the onion mixture, then slowly pour in chicken broth. Scrape those delectable browned bits from the pot’s bottom, ensuring no flavor gets left behind.

• Creamy Transformation

Blend half-and-half into the broth, creating a silky smooth liquid. Let the mixture simmer gently, developing rich, complex flavors.

• Final Touches

Fold in the mashed potatoes and sour cream, stirring until everything melds together perfectly. A dash of black pepper adds a subtle kick.

• Cheese and Garnish

Melt cheddar cheese into the soup, stirring until smooth and luxurious. Top each bowl with the crispy bacon pieces, creating a comforting meal that feels like a warm hug.

Creamy Baked Potato Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty baked potato soup brings comfort and warmth to cold winter nights. Creamy Wisconsin cheddar, crisp bacon bits, and chopped chives create a delightful blend you’ll crave through chilly seasons.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lb (907 g) russet potatoes (large, peeled and diced)
• 6 slices bacon (thick-cut, chopped into 1-inch pieces)
• 3.5 cups (828 ml) chicken broth
• 2 cups (473 ml) half-and-half cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsps butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (177 ml) sour cream
• 1 large yellow onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• ¾ tsp salt (for boiling the potatoes)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¾ cup (177 ml) chives (finely diced for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon pieces in a large pot over low heat until golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving rendered fat.
2. Potato Processing: Boil potato cubes in salted water for 20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and gently mash, setting aside for later incorporation into the soup.
3. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté diced onions in bacon fat over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and butter, cooking briefly to develop rich flavor profiles.
4. Thickening Process: Whisk flour into the onion mixture for one minute. Pour chicken broth gradually, deglazing the pot to capture caramelized essence.
5. Creamy Integration: Blend half-and-half into the broth, bringing to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat and fold mashed potatoes into the creamy base, ensuring smooth consistency.
6. Flavor Enhancement: Incorporate sour cream and freshly ground black pepper. Use an immersion blender to achieve velvety texture, carefully processing until uniformly smooth.
7. Final Touches: Gradually melt shredded cheddar cheese into the soup, stirring constantly to prevent separation. Maintain low temperature during cheese incorporation.
8. Serving Presentation: Ladle soup into bowls, topping generously with crispy bacon pieces. Serve immediately while hot and freshly prepared.

Notes

• Bacon Fat Magic: Save and reuse bacon fat for incredible depth of flavor, as it becomes the secret base for sautéing onions and creating rich undertones.
• Potato Texture Tip: Mashing potatoes partially before adding ensures a creamy, rustic soup without completely losing potato chunk texture.
• Blending Technique: When using a standard blender, blend in small batches and remove center lid cap to allow steam escape, preventing potential explosive pressure buildup.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Add cheese gradually and stir constantly at low heat to prevent clumping and ensure smooth, silky incorporation into the soup.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Simmering, Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 13 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg