Description
Discover how to make a delicious loaded baked potato soup from scratch with this easy recipe. Creamy, flavorful, and perfect for a cozy meal!
Ingredients
- 4 potatoes (about 900g), scrubbed
- 8 beef bacon slices
- 4 tbsp (60 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup yellow onion (60g)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (40g)
- 2 cups low fat milk (480ml)
- 1 cup half and half (240ml)
- 2 cups chicken stock (480ml)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp (3 ml) garlic salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp (3 ml) black pepper
- 1 cup (240 ml) mild cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- fresh chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Puncture the potatoes several times with a fork, then cook them in the microwave for 12 to 15 minutes until they are soft. Cut the potatoes in half and allow them to cool. Once they are cool enough to hold, peel off the skins and chop them into pieces.
- While the potatoes are cooling, fry the bacon slices in a skillet over medium-high heat until they become crispy. Move them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain and cool. Keep up to 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat from the skillet, getting rid of the rest. Once the bacon is cool, crumble it into small bits.
- In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-low heat. Add the saved bacon fat, minced garlic, and diced onion, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens. Gradually whisk in the flour, stirring continuously for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk and half-and-half, whisking until the mixture is smooth. Gradually incorporate the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and add the salt, garlic salt, and black pepper. Allow it to simmer lightly until it thickens slightly, for about 5 to 7 minutes.
- If you wish to use cheese and bacon as toppings, set aside 1/4 cup of each. Mix in the rest of the cheeses, remaining bacon, and sour cream. Take the pot off the heat. Add the potato chunks to the pot, either breaking them into smaller bits or leaving them as chunks, depending on your liking. Serve the soup hot, garnished with your preferred toppings such as cheese, bacon, and fresh chives.
Notes
- For a smoother consistency, utilize a potato masher to break down some potato pieces before serving.
- Enhance the flavor by adjusting the seasonings with more salt, garlic salt, or black pepper to your liking.
- Try different cheeses like Gouda or Monterey Jack for a distinctive taste, or opt for low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a healthier alternative.
