Baked Potato Soup is a wonderfully comforting dish, perfect for any time of year. This simple recipe brings the hearty flavors of a fully loaded baked potato into a warm, creamy bowl. Learn how to prepare this easy potato soup, complete with crispy bacon and melted cheese, for a satisfying meal.
Key Takeaways
- Prepare all ingredients, including crispy bacon and fresh toppings, before you begin cooking.
- Build a flavorful base using rendered bacon drippings, sautéed aromatics, and a classic roux.
- Incorporate tender, lightly mashed potatoes for body, then whisk in broth and cream for richness.
- Finish your creamy soup with sour cream and cheddar cheese for that authentic baked potato taste.
- Season carefully and garnish with reserved bacon and chives for a truly satisfying meal.
This soup offers pure comfort. It warms you from the inside. Simple ingredients create magic. Everyone loves a hearty bowl. It’s a perfect meal solution.
Gather Ingredients for Your Soup
Crafting a truly delightful homemade potato soup begins long before you turn on the stove. The secret to a seamless cooking experience and a truly comforting soup lies in thoughtful preparation, ensuring all your ingredients are measured, chopped, and ready to go. Think of this initial step as setting the stage for culinary success. Having everything organized will allow you to move through the cooking process efficiently, focusing on building layers of rich flavor rather than scrambling for a forgotten item.
Essential Items for Your Kitchen
For this classic baked potato soup recipe, you’ll need a selection of fresh and pantry staples. Start with the stars: fresh potatoes, such as Russet or Yukon Gold, known for their creamy texture when cooked. Chicken or vegetable broth will form the savory liquid base, while heavy cream and whole milk will add luscious richness. Don’t forget all-purpose flour for creating a thickening roux, and butter or bacon drippings for flavor and sautéing. Essential aromatics like yellow onion and garlic are crucial for a deep, savory foundation. Finally, a generous amount of sharp cheddar cheese and tangy sour cream are non-negotiable for achieving that signature cheesy potato soup flavor. And, of course, salt and freshly cracked black pepper will be your go-to seasonings. A good creamy potato soup relies on these core elements to achieve its comforting taste and texture.
Optional Toppings to Prepare
While the soup itself is incredibly satisfying, the true “baked potato” experience comes alive with an array of delicious toppings. These aren’t just garnishes; they’re integral to the overall taste and visual appeal of your comforting soup. Crispy bacon bits are almost mandatory, providing a salty crunch and smoky depth. Freshly chopped chives or green onions add a vibrant, oniony zing and a pop of color. A dollop of extra sour cream or Greek yogurt can enhance the creamy texture and add a refreshing tang. For those who love extra indulgence, consider sprinkling more shredded cheddar cheese directly into your bowl, allowing it to melt gently into the warm soup. Other ideas include a few dashes of hot sauce for a little kick, or even some croutons for added texture. Preparing these ahead of time ensures they are ready to shower over each steaming bowl as soon as the soup is ready to serve.
Start with Crispy Bacon Flavor
One of the defining characteristics of a truly outstanding baked potato soup is the smoky, savory depth imparted by bacon. It’s not just a garnish; it’s a fundamental flavor builder that sets this comforting soup apart. The process begins with carefully rendering the bacon, transforming it into irresistible crispy bits while simultaneously creating a flavorful fat that will become the backbone of your soup’s rich base. This step is critical for developing a complex taste profile right from the start, making your homemade potato soup truly memorable.
Cook Bacon Until Golden
To achieve perfectly crispy bacon, arrange strips in a single layer in a cold skillet (cast iron works wonderfully for even heating). Place the skillet over medium heat, allowing the bacon to slowly render its fat as the pan heats up. This gradual cooking method helps the bacon become evenly crisp without burning. Flip the bacon occasionally, cooking until it reaches a beautiful golden-brown color and a satisfying crispness. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease. This will ensure your bacon remains delightfully crunchy when added as a topping. Aim for a texture that crumbles easily, perfect for scattering over each serving of your creamy baked potato soup.
Save the Delicious Drippings
After removing the crispy bacon, don’t discard the rendered fat in the skillet. These flavorful drippings are liquid gold and are absolutely essential for building the rich base of your soup. The bacon fat carries a concentrated smoky flavor that will infuse every subsequent ingredient, adding an unparalleled depth to your easy potato soup. Carefully pour the drippings into a heatproof container, leaving about 2-3 tablespoons in the skillet. This remaining fat will be used to sauté your aromatics, creating a cohesive flavor profile that ties the entire dish together. If you find yourself with more drippings than needed, you can store the excess in an airtight container in the refrigerator for future cooking endeavors, like making savory scrambled eggs or sautéing vegetables. This attention to detail with the bacon drippings is what elevates a simple potato soup to a truly magnificent culinary creation.
Boil Potatoes Until Tender
The star of any creamy potato soup is, undoubtedly, the potatoes themselves. Achieving the right tenderness and texture is key to a smooth, luscious soup that still offers substance. The way you prepare and cook your potatoes will significantly impact the final consistency and flavor of your baked potato soup, ensuring it’s hearty and satisfying. This step is more than just cooking; it’s about preparing the foundation for the soup’s body and taste.
Cube and Salt the Water
Begin by peeling your chosen potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold are excellent choices for their starch content) and cutting them into uniform, bite-sized cubes, roughly 1-inch in size. Uniformity is important because it ensures that all the potato pieces cook at the same rate. Place the cubed potatoes into a large pot and cover them with cold water by about an inch. Crucially, add a generous pinch of salt to the water. Just as with pasta, salting the potato water seasons the potatoes from the inside out, infusing them with flavor as they cook. This preemptive seasoning will make a noticeable difference in the overall taste of your easy potato soup. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cooking until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Lightly Mash After Draining
Once your potatoes are perfectly tender, drain them thoroughly in a colander. Return the drained potatoes to the empty hot pot. This allows any residual moisture to evaporate, preventing a watery soup. Using a potato masher, lightly mash about two-thirds of the potatoes. The goal here isn’t to create a completely smooth, mashed potato consistency, but rather to break down most of the potatoes while leaving some smaller chunks intact. This technique provides the creamy baked potato soup with a wonderful body and texture, offering delightful bites of potato throughout, rather than a uniformly pureed soup. The remaining unmashed potatoes will contribute to the hearty nature of this comforting soup. This balance of creamy and chunky is what makes a great potato soup truly special.
Sauté Onion and Garlic Base
The foundation of any great soup, especially a savory one like this creamy baked potato soup, relies heavily on building a rich, aromatic base. After perfecting your crispy bacon and tender potatoes, the next crucial step is to develop deep, sweet flavors from the humble onion and pungent garlic. These aromatics, when properly cooked, contribute layers of complexity and warmth that elevate the entire dish, transforming simple ingredients into a truly comforting soup. This aromatic base is what gives your homemade potato soup its signature depth.
Cook in Bacon Drippings
Remember those precious bacon drippings you saved? Now is their time to shine. Return the skillet containing the reserved 2-3 tablespoons of bacon drippings to medium heat. Add your finely chopped yellow onion to the hot drippings. The fat will immediately begin to infuse the onion with its smoky, savory essence. Stir the onions frequently, allowing them to soften and become translucent. This process usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Cooking the onions in bacon drippings not only adds incredible flavor but also helps them caramelize slightly, contributing a subtle sweetness that balances the richness of the bacon. This essential step ensures every spoonful of your cheesy potato soup carries a consistent, delicious flavor profile.
Develop Sweet Aromas
Once the onions are soft and translucent, add your minced garlic to the skillet. Garlic is potent, so it cooks much faster than onions. Sauté the garlic for just about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown or burn, as burnt garlic can turn bitter and impart an unpleasant taste to your baked potato soup. The air in your kitchen should now be filled with sweet, savory, and smoky aromas—a clear indicator that your flavor base is developing beautifully. This combination of gently sautéed onion and fragrant garlic, coupled with the bacon drippings, creates a powerful aromatic backbone that is absolutely critical for the rich, comforting flavor of your easy potato soup. This deep aromatic base will contribute significantly to the overall appeal of this hearty soup, making it incredibly inviting.
Make a Roux to Thicken Soup
A classic roux is the secret behind the luxurious, velvety texture of many creamy soups, including this delightful baked potato soup. It’s a simple mixture of fat and flour that, when cooked properly and then combined with liquid, creates a wonderfully thick and smooth consistency without any chalky taste. Mastering this technique is fundamental to achieving a perfectly bodied homemade potato soup that clings beautifully to a spoon and delivers that satisfying mouthfeel. This step is pivotal for ensuring your comforting soup isn’t just flavorful, but also wonderfully rich and creamy.
Stir in Flour Gradually
Once your onions and garlic are fragrant, it’s time to introduce the flour. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour directly over the sautéed aromatics in the skillet. Using a whisk or a wooden spoon, immediately stir the flour vigorously into the bacon drippings and aromatics. It’s important to stir constantly to ensure the flour is fully incorporated and lumps don’t form. The mixture will quickly become a thick paste. This initial mixing is crucial for creating a smooth foundation for your roux. Ensure there are no dry spots of flour remaining before proceeding. This step might seem simple, but its execution is key to avoiding a grainy texture in your final cheesy potato soup.
Cook for One Minute
After incorporating the flour, continue to cook the roux over medium heat, stirring constantly, for at least one minute. This step is often overlooked but is incredibly important. Cooking the roux for this short period helps to cook out the raw flour taste, which can otherwise make your soup taste pasty or unpleasantly floury. The roux will lighten slightly in color and become fragrant, taking on a slightly nutty aroma. This short cooking time also helps to fully activate the starch in the flour, ensuring it will effectively thicken the soup later. Achieving a well-cooked roux is a hallmark of a great creamy baked potato soup and lays the groundwork for a rich, smooth, and easy potato soup that’s both flavorful and perfectly textured. For more thickening tips, you might find inspiration by checking out other soups and stews recipes on Carina Recipes.
Whisk in Broth and Cream
With the flavorful roux established, the next exciting phase is to transform that thick paste into the liquid heart of your creamy potato soup. This step involves carefully incorporating your liquids, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer, and allowing the roux to work its magic, thickening the base into a luscious consistency. Patience and a steady hand are key here to prevent lumps and ensure a perfectly smooth and rich comforting soup. It’s where your homemade potato soup starts to truly take its comforting form.
Slowly Add Liquids
Begin by slowly whisking in two cups of chicken or vegetable broth into your roux, adding just a small amount at a time. The mixture will initially be very thick, but as you continue to add liquid and whisk, it will gradually smooth out. Once the first two cups of broth are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth, slowly whisk in the remaining broth. Finally, pour in the heavy cream and whole milk, continuing to whisk gently until everything is well combined. The gradual addition of liquids is vital to prevent lumps from forming, ensuring your easy potato soup has a silky-smooth texture. This methodical approach ensures the roux disperses evenly, creating a uniform, delicious base.
Bring Mixture to a Simmer
After all the liquids have been added, increase the heat to medium-low and continue to stir or whisk occasionally. You’ll want to bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Do not allow it to come to a rolling boil, as this can cause the cream to curdle. As the soup base heats and simmers, the flour in the roux will fully activate and begin to thicken the liquid. You’ll notice the mixture becoming richer and more substantial. Allow it to simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until it reaches your desired consistency for the soup base. It should be thick enough to lightly coat the back of a spoon. This perfectly thickened base is the cornerstone of a truly satisfying cheesy potato soup, ready for the next delightful additions. For another hearty and creamy dish, consider trying this creamy baked mac and cheese.
Add Mashed Potatoes for Body
Now that your creamy soup base is perfectly thickened and simmering beautifully, it’s time to reintroduce the star ingredient: the potatoes. This step is where your easy potato soup gains its signature hearty body and substantial texture. The lightly mashed potatoes, with their remaining chunks, will blend into the rich liquid, transforming it from a simple cream sauce into a robust and satisfying baked potato soup. It’s where all the flavors begin to truly meld and create that comforting soup experience.
Stir into the Simmering Base
Gently add your drained and lightly mashed potatoes directly into the simmering cream and broth base. Use a large spoon or spatula to carefully fold them in, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the soup. Avoid overly vigorous stirring at this stage, as you want to maintain some of those delightful small potato chunks that give the soup its rustic, hearty feel. As the potatoes absorb some of the liquid, they will further contribute to the soup’s thickening, creating a more cohesive and substantial consistency. This combination of creamy base and tender potato pieces is what makes this homemade potato soup so incredibly satisfying. The warmth of the soup will also help to further tenderize any slightly firmer potato pieces.
Blend for Smoother Texture
Depending on your personal preference for texture, you have an option at this stage. If you prefer a completely smooth, velvety creamy potato soup, you can use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Carefully blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency, being mindful not to over-blend, which can sometimes make potatoes gluey. Alternatively, for a truly silken finish, you could transfer portions of the soup to a traditional blender (blending in batches and exercising extreme caution with hot liquids) and then return it to the pot. However, for a classic baked potato soup experience, leaving some delightful chunks is often preferred, providing a pleasant contrast of textures. The combination of the creamy liquid and the soft, discernible potato pieces is what makes this cheesy potato soup a true comfort food masterpiece. This creates a hearty soup that is both rich and satisfying, reminding you of a fully loaded baked potato.
Make Creamy Baked Potato Soup
The journey to the perfect creamy baked potato soup is nearing its delicious conclusion. After building a rich base and incorporating the tender potatoes, these final steps infuse the soup with the quintessential flavors that define a “baked potato” – tangy and cheesy goodness. This is where the magic truly happens, transforming a delicious potato soup into an indulgent, comforting soup experience that tastes like a fully loaded spud. These additions are key to achieving that authentic, hearty flavor that makes this an easy potato soup favorite.
Stir in Sour Cream
Remove the pot from the heat before adding the sour cream. This is a crucial step to prevent the sour cream from curdling, which can happen if it’s added directly to boiling liquid. Spoon in a generous amount of full-fat sour cream – typically about half a cup, but feel free to adjust to your taste. Gently stir the sour cream into the warm soup until it is completely melted and incorporated. The sour cream not only adds a wonderful tang that brightens the rich flavors of the soup but also contributes to its incredibly creamy texture. This addition mimics the luscious dollop of sour cream found on a traditional baked potato, deepening the authentic profile of your homemade potato soup. It helps create a perfect balance of richness and a slight zesty note.
Add Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Immediately after stirring in the sour cream, add a substantial amount of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the soup. Again, stir gently until the cheese has completely melted and blended into the soup, creating a beautifully uniform, cheesy potato soup. Using freshly shredded cheese is highly recommended over pre-shredded varieties, as pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect its melt and texture. The cheddar cheese provides a savory, salty, and utterly comforting dimension, making each spoonful reminiscent of a perfectly loaded baked potato. Taste the soup at this point; the cheese and sour cream will have added significant flavor. This final melty addition completes the core flavor profile, making this creamy baked potato soup an irresistible treat. It is truly a hearty soup that satisfies all your comfort food cravings. You can find more comforting dinner ideas like easy honey garlic chicken to complement your weeknight meals.
Season Perfectly to Taste
Even the most perfectly prepared creamy baked potato soup won’t reach its full potential without proper seasoning. This final step is an art, not a science, and requires careful attention to bring all the delicious flavors together harmoniously. It’s about balancing the richness of the cream and cheese with the savory notes of bacon and aromatics, ensuring every spoonful of your comforting soup is vibrant and satisfying. Perfect seasoning makes all the difference in a truly exceptional homemade potato soup.
Use Salt and Black Pepper
Your primary seasoning agents for this easy potato soup will be salt and freshly cracked black pepper. While you may have salted the potato cooking water and the bacon added its own salinity, the soup base itself will likely need further seasoning after the addition of broth, cream, sour cream, and cheese. Start with a modest amount of salt, keeping in mind you can always add more but cannot take it away. Freshly ground black pepper adds a pungent warmth and subtle spice that complements the richness of the soup beautifully. Don’t be shy with the pepper; it enhances the overall flavor profile significantly, making it a truly hearty soup.
Taste and Adjust Flavors
This is arguably the most important part of seasoning. Ladle a small amount of the cheesy potato soup into a spoon and taste it critically. What does it need? Does it taste a bit flat? Add more salt. Does it lack a certain warmth or punch? More pepper might be in order. Perhaps a touch more sour cream for tang, or a dash of hot sauce for a subtle kick. Continue to taste and adjust in small increments until the flavors are perfectly balanced and vibrant. This iterative process ensures your creamy baked potato soup is seasoned exactly to your liking, making it the best it can be. Remember, good cooking is often about constant tasting and adjustment. This attention to detail ensures your comforting soup is a culinary triumph every time. For other comforting options, explore the Carina Recipes Pinterest or Instagram for more inspiration!
Serve Warm on a Chilly Day
After all your careful preparation and layering of flavors, the moment has arrived to present your masterpiece: a steaming bowl of creamy baked potato soup. This comforting soup is at its absolute best when served warm, offering a cozy embrace on any day, especially when the weather turns crisp. Presentation is the final touch that elevates this simple dinner into a truly memorable experience, inviting everyone to indulge in its rich, hearty goodness.
Top with Reserved Bacon
Before serving, retrieve your perfectly crispy bacon bits that you set aside earlier. Generously sprinkle these golden-brown morsels over the top of each bowl of baked potato soup. The crunch and smoky flavor of the bacon provide a delightful textural contrast to the smooth, creamy soup beneath. It’s not just a garnish; it’s an integral part of the classic baked potato experience, adding a burst of flavor and a satisfying chewiness with every spoonful. The visual appeal of the glistening bacon bits against the creamy backdrop makes this easy potato soup even more inviting.
Garnish with Fresh Chives
To complete the authentic baked potato look and add a final touch of fresh flavor, sprinkle freshly chopped chives or green onions over the bacon. The vibrant green of the chives offers a beautiful color contrast and a mild, oniony zest that brightens the richness of the cheesy potato soup. This garnish adds a refreshing counterpoint to the indulgent flavors, making each bite feel balanced and invigorating. Together, the crispy bacon and fresh chives transform your homemade potato soup into a feast for both the eyes and the palate, ensuring a truly comforting and visually appealing meal. This thoughtful presentation makes it a standout hearty soup that is sure to impress.
Enjoy This Creamy Potato Soup
There’s something uniquely satisfying about a bowl of homemade potato soup. It evokes feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and simple pleasure. This creamy baked potato soup isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor a moment of comfort, shared with loved ones or enjoyed in quiet solitude. Its hearty nature makes it an ideal choice for any meal, promising a delightful experience that goes beyond mere sustenance. This comforting soup embodies everything great about home cooking.
Quick Preparation Time
Despite its rich and complex flavor profile, this easy potato soup boasts a surprisingly quick preparation time. With most ingredients being common pantry staples and the steps being straightforward, you can have a batch of this delicious creamy baked potato soup on the table in under an hour, or even less if you’re efficient with your chopping. This makes it a fantastic option for a weeknight simple dinner when you crave something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Its efficiency ensures that a delightful, hearty soup is never far from reach. From boiling potatoes, a common ingredient found globally (Wikipedia on Potatoes), to making a roux, the process is streamlined.
Comfort Food for Everyone
This creamy potato soup truly is comfort food for everyone. Its mild yet flavorful profile, coupled with its luscious texture, appeals to a wide range of tastes, making it a family-friendly favorite. The ability to customize toppings, from extra cheese and bacon to a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh herbs, means each person can tailor their bowl to perfection. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or looking for a cozy meal for one, this cheesy potato soup delivers warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful. It’s the kind of hearty soup that brings smiles and happy sighs, reminding us of the simple joys of good food. The technique of making a roux, a staple in many cuisines, ensures a perfectly smooth finish (Wikipedia on Roux).
Make Baked Potato Soup Easy
One of the many charms of this baked potato soup recipe is its inherent flexibility. While the classic version with bacon and cheddar is undeniably delicious, it’s also a fantastic canvas for dietary adaptations and personal preferences. Understanding how to modify the recipe not only expands its appeal but also empowers you to create a customized comforting soup that meets diverse needs without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. This makes it an incredibly versatile homemade potato soup.
Learn Vegetarian Options
Transforming this hearty soup into a vegetarian delight is surprisingly simple. The most straightforward modification is to omit the bacon entirely. Instead of bacon drippings, start your sauté with butter or olive oil to cook the onions and garlic. Ensure you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for the liquid base. For a smoky flavor often missed when bacon is removed, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke (use sparingly!). These small adjustments still yield a incredibly flavorful and easy potato soup that is perfectly suitable for vegetarian diets, making it a truly inclusive recipe. This vegetarian potato soup retains its creamy texture and comforting essence.
Check Nutrition Details
While this creamy baked potato soup is undeniably rich and comforting, it’s also possible to make minor adjustments to fit various nutritional goals. For example, using low-fat milk or half-and-half instead of heavy cream can reduce the calorie and fat content while still maintaining a creamy texture. You could also opt for reduced-fat cheese and sour cream. To increase the fiber content and add more nutrients, consider leaving some of the potato skins on (especially if using thin-skinned potatoes like Yukon Golds) or incorporating additional vegetables like finely diced carrots or celery into the sautéed base. Being mindful of portion sizes also plays a role in fitting this delicious, cheesy potato soup into a balanced diet. Understanding the flexibility of this recipe allows you to enjoy a comforting soup that aligns with your lifestyle. For another wholesome dinner, try this cheesy chicken and rice casserole or a delicious ground turkey and peppers dish.