Description
Discover how to make a delicious Simple Loaded Baked Potato Soup that is creamy, hearty, and perfect for cozy nights in. Get the recipe now!
Ingredients
- 4 potatoes (about 800g), scrubbed
- 8 beef bacon slices
- 4 tbsp (60 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) yellow onion
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-fat milk (480 ml)
- 1 cup half and half (240 ml)
- 2 cups chicken stock (480 ml)
- 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
- Prick the potatoes several times with a fork and microwave them for 12 to 15 minutes until soft. Carefully cut them in half and allow them to cool down. When they are cool enough, peel off the skins and chop them into pieces.
- While the potatoes are cooking, fry the bacon in a pan over medium-high heat until it becomes crispy. Place the cooked bacon on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess grease and cool down. Keep up to 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the skillet, discarding the rest. Once the bacon has cooled, crumble it into tiny bits.
- In a large pot, warm the vegetable oil over medium-low heat. Add the reserved bacon fat, minced garlic, and onion, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens. Gradually whisk the flour into the mixture and stir for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly incorporate the milk and half-and-half, whisking continuously until smooth. Slowly pour in the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and add the salt, garlic salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer lightly until it thickens slightly, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- If you want to garnish with cheese and bacon, set aside 1/4 cup of each. Mix in the remaining cheese, bacon, and sour cream. Take the pot off the heat. Add the potato chunks to the pot, breaking them into smaller pieces or keeping them chunky based on your preference. Serve hot, garnished with cheese, bacon, and fresh chives if desired.
Notes
- For a smoother consistency, blend some of the potato chunks into the soup before serving.
- Adjust the flavor with more salt, garlic salt, and black pepper to match your taste preferences.
- For a touch of spiciness, consider garnishing with red pepper flakes or hot sauce before serving.
