Description
Comforting Baked Potato Soup blends creamy richness with hearty potato goodness, bringing warmth to winter evenings. Crispy bacon bits and chives crown this classic dish, inviting you to savor each spoonful of homemade comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large russet potatoes, baked, peeled, and diced
- 3 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Additional shredded cheese and bacon bits, for topping
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Crisp chopped bacon in a large pot over medium heat, extracting it with a slotted spoon and reserving approximately one tablespoon of rendered fat.
- Aromatic Foundation: Sauté diced onions in remaining bacon grease until translucent, then introduce minced garlic and cook briefly to release its fragrant essence.
- Roux Development: Dust flour over the softened vegetables, stirring continuously to create a smooth, golden base. Gradually incorporate milk and chicken broth, whisking until the mixture becomes velvety and free of lumps.
- Potato Integration: Fold diced baked potatoes into the liquid, gently mashing some to create a rich, textured consistency while maintaining appealing potato chunks.
- Flavor Enhancement: Reduce heat and blend in sour cream, melted cheddar cheese, and half the reserved bacon. Season with salt and pepper, allowing the soup to simmer and thicken for several minutes.
- Presentation: Ladle the creamy soup into serving bowls, garnishing with remaining crisp bacon bits, additional shredded cheese, and freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to achieve maximum crispiness without burning, ensuring a perfect textural contrast in the soup.
- Stir flour continuously while cooking to prevent clumping and create a smooth base that thickens the soup evenly without lumps.
- Mash some potatoes selectively to create a creamy base while keeping some chunks for a rustic, hearty soup experience.
- Substitute dairy with lactose-free alternatives or use plant-based cheese and milk for a vegan-friendly version without compromising rich flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg