Loaded Potato Soup (Printable)

Creamy potato soup with bacon, cheddar cheese, and fresh green onions. A hearty comfort food classic.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Base & Dairy

05 - 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
06 - 1 cup whole milk or 2% milk
07 - 1/2 cup sour cream
08 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

→ Meats

09 - 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

→ Oils & Seasonings

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently until fragrant.
03 - Stir in diced potatoes and pour in broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
04 - Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or blend half the soup and leave the remainder chunky for desired texture.
05 - Stir in milk, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Cook over low heat while stirring until cheese melts and soup becomes creamy, approximately 5 minutes.
06 - Taste soup and adjust seasonings as needed.
07 - Serve hot, topped with crumbled bacon, extra cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and optional toppings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been tending it all day.
  • You can blend it smooth or leave it chunky, depending on your mood or who you're feeding.
  • The toppings turn each bowl into something personal, and everyone gets to build their own.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and somehow taste even better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't boil the soup after adding the cheese and sour cream or it can break and turn grainy.
  • If the soup gets too thick, thin it out with a splash of broth or milk rather than water to keep the flavor intact.
  • Russet potatoes are key here, waxy potatoes won't break down the same way and the texture will suffer.
03 -
  • Cook your bacon in the oven on a sheet pan at 400°F for even crispness and less mess.
  • Shred your own cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded, it melts smoother and tastes fresher.
  • If you're short on time, use a potato masher instead of a blender for a rustic, chunky texture that's just as satisfying.
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