Loaded Potato Soup

This Loaded Potato Soup is the perfect balance of creamy and cheesy, packed with tender red potatoes, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese. Each spoonful delivers the comforting taste of a fully loaded baked potato in the form of a warm, hearty soup. It’s the ideal dish to enjoy on a cold evening, guaranteed to warm you from the inside out. Easy to prepare and made with simple ingredients, this Outback Steakhouse copycat recipe is a favorite for family gatherings or casual dinners. The combination of rich dairy, savory bacon, and flavorful potatoes makes it a versatile dish that can be customized with your favorite toppings.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• • 3 pounds Red potatoes, baby size (thin-skinned, quartered)
  • 8 ounces Bacon, diced (about ½ package)
  • 1 cup Sweet onion, diced (about ½ large onion)
  • ½ cup Carrots, sliced (about 3-4 carrots)
  • 6 cups Whole milk
  • 3 cups Chicken broth
  • 2 Tablespoons Seasoning salt
  • ¾ cup Butter (salted) or unsalted if desired
  • ¾ cup All-purpose flour
  • 1 cup Heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • Garnishes: Sour cream, green onions, bacon bits, extra cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. In a deep pot, bring water to a boil, add the quartered potatoes, and cook for about 10 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
2. In a Dutch oven, cook diced bacon until crispy. Remove and set the crumbled bacon aside. Leave 2-3 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.
3. Sauté the onions in the bacon grease until translucent, then add carrots. Cook for 5 minutes until tender.
4. Pour in chicken broth, milk, and seasoning salt, stirring well. Let it cook over medium-high heat for 8 minutes, stirring often.
5. In a separate pan, melt the butter and stir in the flour to make a roux. Temper it by adding a ladle of hot soup to the roux, then mix it back into the soup to thicken.
6. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar, letting the cheese melt.
7. Add the cooked potatoes and stir gently. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve hot with garnishes like sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, and extra cheese.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes

Kcal: 629 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

The Ultimate Comfort Food for Cold Evenings

As the colder months approach, there’s nothing quite like sitting down to a warm bowl of hearty soup. One dish that stands out among the variety of comfort foods is the Loaded Potato Soup. This recipe takes everything we love about a baked potato – creamy texture, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and hearty potatoes – and turns it into a soul-warming bowl of goodness that’s perfect for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Loaded Potato Soup

The beauty of this recipe lies not just in its simplicity but in the way it captures the essence of comfort food. This soup isn’t just a dish; it’s a feeling – a reminder of cozy winter evenings, family gatherings, and the kind of meals that make you feel warm from the inside out.

One of the reasons why this potato soup stands out is its versatility. Whether you’re cooking for a large family or just for yourself, the soup can be scaled up or down depending on your needs. You can also customize it based on your personal preferences. Don’t like bacon? Substitute with crispy ham or turkey bacon. Want a vegetarian version? Simply omit the meat and amp up the veggies. The possibilities are endless, but the result is always the same: a bowl of rich, creamy, and satisfying soup that’s bursting with flavor.

A Quick History of Potato Soup

Potato soup has a long history as a humble, yet hearty dish. Its origins date back centuries, when potatoes became a staple food in Europe after being introduced from the Americas. As an inexpensive and readily available ingredient, potatoes quickly became a vital part of many households’ diets, particularly during the colder months when fresh produce was scarce.

Soup made with potatoes became popular for its ability to be both filling and nutritious, often fortified with ingredients like milk or cream to make it even more satisfying. Over time, different variations of potato soup emerged, from creamy French-style soups like Vichyssoise to chunky, hearty versions like this Loaded Potato Soup that borrows inspiration from the classic baked potato.

What sets the Loaded Potato Soup apart is how it brings together a combination of flavors and textures. The soup is thick, rich, and creamy, while the toppings of crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and fresh green onions provide a delightful contrast with each spoonful.

The Key Ingredients That Make It Special

While the specific ingredients list can vary from recipe to recipe, a few key components are non-negotiable when it comes to making the perfect Loaded Potato Soup:

1. Potatoes: Choosing the right type of potato is crucial to getting the right texture for your soup. Red potatoes or Yukon Golds work best as they hold their shape without becoming too mushy. Their thin skins also mean you don’t need to peel them, which adds both flavor and texture to the final dish.
2. Bacon: The salty, smoky flavor of crispy bacon elevates the soup, adding a much-needed crunch that balances the creaminess. Whether you use traditional pork bacon, turkey bacon, or even vegetarian bacon substitutes, this ingredient adds a savory depth that enhances the dish.
3. Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is the star of the show when it comes to this soup’s flavor profile. It adds richness and a slight tang that complements the mildness of the potatoes. You can also experiment with other cheeses like Gouda, Monterey Jack, or even Parmesan for a different twist.
4. Cream and Milk: The combination of whole milk and heavy cream gives the soup its signature creamy texture. If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute with lower-fat milk or even a non-dairy alternative like coconut milk or almond milk. However, keep in mind that using cream provides a velvety finish that’s hard to replicate.
5. Chicken Broth: To give the soup body and depth of flavor, chicken broth is added. You can use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, but the chicken broth brings a savory note that pairs beautifully with the richness of the cream and cheese.
6. Garnishes: What makes a loaded baked potato so iconic is the array of toppings, and this soup is no different. Classic garnishes like sour cream, chopped green onions, crispy bacon, and extra shredded cheese add both texture and flavor, turning an already delicious soup into a feast.

The Versatility of Potato Soup

One of the best things about potato soup is its versatility. While the traditional version with bacon and cheddar is always a crowd-pleaser, you can easily adapt it to suit different dietary preferences or what you have on hand in your pantry.

For example, if you want to make a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. To add a bit more substance, you can include extra veggies like carrots, celery, or even corn. For a healthier take, substitute half of the heavy cream with Greek yogurt or a lower-fat milk alternative.

If you’re looking to make the soup even heartier, you could add in diced ham, cooked sausage, or shredded chicken. These additions will transform the soup into a more substantial meal, perfect for feeding a hungry family after a long day.

Tips for the Perfect Potato Soup

• Don’t overcook the potatoes: While you want your potatoes to be tender, be careful not to overcook them, especially if you plan on using an immersion blender to make the soup creamier. Overcooked potatoes can break down too much and turn your soup into a mushy mess.
• Use a roux for thickness: One of the keys to making a thick, creamy soup is using a roux – a mixture of flour and butter that thickens the soup without making it too starchy or gummy. It’s important to cook the roux thoroughly to avoid any raw flour taste in the final dish.
• Taste as you go: Don’t forget to season your soup as you go. Potatoes can be quite bland on their own, so be generous with the salt and pepper. Taste the soup before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Garnishes matter: While the soup is delicious on its own, the garnishes are what take it to the next level. Don’t skimp on the toppings – sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, and extra cheese all add flavor and texture that make the dish truly special.

Perfect Pairings for Loaded Potato Soup

This soup is a meal in itself, but if you’re looking to round it out with some sides, there are plenty of options that pair well with its rich, creamy flavor. A crusty loaf of bread or a warm baguette is perfect for dipping into the soup. You can also serve it alongside a fresh green salad to balance out the richness.

For those who want something heartier, a grilled cheese sandwich or a ham and cheese panini would complement the soup nicely. The combination of melted cheese and the creamy potato soup is a match made in heaven.

Storing and Reheating

One of the great things about this Loaded Potato Soup is that it keeps well in the fridge and even tastes better the next day. The flavors have more time to meld together, and the soup thickens as it cools, making it even more delicious when reheated.

To store, let the soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to a week. When reheating, you may need to add a bit more broth or milk to loosen it up, as the soup tends to thicken in the fridge.

If you’d like to freeze it, it’s best to do so before adding the dairy products. The cream and cheese can sometimes separate when frozen, affecting the texture of the soup. You can freeze the soup base and add the cream and cheese when reheating for the best results.

Conclusion:

Loaded Potato Soup is the ultimate comfort food, bringing together the flavors of a loaded baked potato in a warm, creamy bowl. Whether you’re enjoying it on a cold winter night or serving it up for a family gathering, this recipe is sure to be a hit. Its rich, hearty flavors and customizable nature make it the perfect dish for any occasion. So, grab a spoon and get ready to dive into a bowl of this indulgent, comforting soup.