This hearty bowl of Loaded Baked Potato Soup is everything you crave on a chilly evening. Creamy, cheesy, and studded with crispy bacon and tender chunks of potato, it’s comfort food at its finest. Topped with a dollop of sour cream and fresh green onions, it delivers both flavor and warmth.
What makes this soup even better is how quick and easy it is to prepare. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, make-ahead meals, or feeding a crowd on game day. Customize it to your taste—add more cheese, swap in turkey bacon, or top it with jalapeños for a kick. One pot and minimal effort for a soul-satisfying bowl!
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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6 slices bacon, chopped
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1 small onion, diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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4 cups chicken broth
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2 cups milk
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4 cups russet potatoes, peeled and diced
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1 cup sour cream
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1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
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Salt and pepper to taste
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½ cup green onions, chopped
Directions:
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In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pot.
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Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
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Sprinkle in flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute to form a roux.
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Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and milk. Bring to a boil, then add the diced potatoes.
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Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
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Use a potato masher to gently mash some of the potatoes for a creamier texture.
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Stir in sour cream, cheddar cheese, and most of the cooked bacon (reserve some for garnish).
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve hot, topped with green onions and reserved bacon.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 385 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
The Comfort Food Classic: Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Loaded Baked Potato Soup is the epitome of comfort food—a creamy, hearty, and satisfying dish that captures the essence of a classic baked potato in spoonable form. This soup brings together everything we love about baked potatoes: tender russet chunks, melted cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, tangy sour cream, and the brightness of green onions, all enveloped in a rich and velvety broth.
It’s a dish that bridges generations and seasons, perfect for winter nights, cozy family dinners, or as the star of a casual gathering. Unlike many soups that might feel like a side, this one is bold and filling enough to be the main event. Whether you’re ladling it into bowls for a weeknight dinner or keeping it warm for a potluck, this recipe brings warmth and joy to any table.
A Soup That Tells a Story
Potatoes have long held a prominent place in comfort cuisine. This soup, inspired by the traditional loaded baked potato, takes all the toppings you might pile high on a spud and turns them into a cohesive, creamy blend that is both rustic and indulgent. It’s not just a soup—it’s a celebration of flavors that work in harmony, turning humble ingredients into something extraordinary.
The balance between textures and flavors is key here. Creamy potatoes are softened just enough to melt in your mouth, while still offering some body. Cheddar cheese adds sharpness and richness, while sour cream provides a subtle tang that cuts through the heaviness. Bacon offers a smoky crunch, and green onions lift the whole dish with freshness and color. Every bite gives you a bit of each element—earthy, savory, creamy, crispy, and a little fresh bite.
Perfect for All Skill Levels
One of the best things about this Loaded Baked Potato Soup is how approachable it is. Even beginner cooks can make it successfully, with no special tools or complicated steps required. It’s made in a single pot, using staple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and fridge. The flour-based roux used to thicken the broth is a basic technique that opens the door to learning other soups and sauces in the future, too.
For more seasoned cooks, the recipe also provides a great canvas for creativity. You can play with the type of cheese, experiment with toppings, or even transform the soup into a vegetarian version by skipping the bacon and using vegetable broth. Add-ins like roasted garlic, sautéed leeks, or a pinch of smoked paprika can elevate the flavor profile further.
Family-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing
This soup is a hit with adults and kids alike. It offers familiar flavors in a soothing format, making it a reliable option for picky eaters or those hesitant to try new dishes. You can make it ahead of time and it reheats beautifully, which makes it ideal for meal prepping. Serve it with crusty bread or a simple salad for a full meal, or as a starter before a larger dinner.
For gatherings, this soup can easily be made in large batches. Keep it warm in a slow cooker, set out toppings buffet-style (extra bacon, shredded cheese, sour cream, chives), and let guests customize their bowls. It’s an interactive, fun way to serve a meal that feels both comforting and festive.
Nutrition and Satisfaction in One Bowl
While the soup is undeniably indulgent, it’s also satisfying in a way that prevents overindulgence. Potatoes offer vitamins like B6 and C, as well as fiber and potassium. By using milk instead of heavy cream, and sour cream in moderation, the soup retains its creamy appeal without becoming overly rich. You can control the fat and sodium by choosing low-sodium broth and leaner bacon, and adjusting the cheese quantity to your preference.
For those looking to make it gluten-free, you can replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative like cornstarch or a certified gluten-free flour blend, and ensure the broth and bacon used are also gluten-free.
Customizable to Fit Every Preference
What makes this dish truly versatile is how easy it is to modify. Want to make it vegetarian? Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth and use a plant-based bacon alternative. Prefer it with a kick? Stir in chopped jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy twist. For a lower-fat version, use low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.
If you’re aiming for an even creamier consistency, blend part of the soup until smooth using an immersion blender. Or, leave it chunky if you prefer texture. You can even add in vegetables like corn, carrots, or broccoli to boost the nutrition profile.
Ideal for Every Season
Though Loaded Baked Potato Soup is often associated with cold-weather comfort, it’s just as enjoyable in other seasons. In spring, serve it with a crisp side salad. During fall, add a pinch of nutmeg or smoked paprika to deepen the flavor. It can even be enjoyed chilled in summer, like a savory vichyssoise, offering a surprising twist on a classic.
The heartiness of the soup makes it suitable as a main dish, especially when accompanied by breadsticks, rolls, or a sandwich. Yet it’s light enough not to leave you sluggish, thanks to its balanced ingredients and nourishing base.
A Staple for Every Home Cook
If there’s one soup recipe every home cook should have in their back pocket, it’s this one. It checks all the boxes: comforting, flavorful, filling, adaptable, and simple to prepare. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a hungry family, it delivers warmth and satisfaction every time.
This Loaded Baked Potato Soup isn’t just a dish—it’s a mood, a feeling, a memory in the making. It’s the kind of meal that makes you pause after the first spoonful and sigh with contentment. It’s what you serve when you want to show care, nourish deeply, and make people feel at home.
Conclusion
Loaded Baked Potato Soup is more than just a cozy meal—it’s a culinary experience that blends simplicity and indulgence in the most delicious way. From its creamy texture to the burst of flavors in every bite, it embodies everything comforting and homestyle about food. It’s a go-to for weeknights, a hit at parties, and a timeless favorite you’ll return to again and again.
By customizing the toppings, swapping ingredients to fit your dietary preferences, or even turning it into a lighter or spicier version, this soup proves itself as a reliable and flexible staple. Whether you’re warming up on a winter night or just craving something wholesome and rich, Loaded Baked Potato Soup is always the right answer.