The Potatoes: The Heart of the Soup

The main component of this Baked Potato Soup is, of course, the potatoes. Russet potatoes work best for this recipe because they’re starchy and fluffy, which results in a creamy and satisfying texture when mashed. You’ll start by peeling and cutting the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. This ensures they cook evenly and quickly.

Once the potatoes are cut, they’re boiled in water with a bit of salt. Boiling the potatoes until they’re fork-tender ensures they soften perfectly, making them easier to mash. After draining, you gently mash them and set them aside. The mashed potatoes contribute to the creamy base of the soup and give it a thick, rich texture without needing too much added cream or flour.

Bacon: The Savory Flavor Bomb

What’s a baked potato without bacon? The crispy bacon adds a smoky, savory flavor that really elevates the soup. You begin by cutting thick-cut bacon into small pieces and cooking it over low heat until it’s crispy. This low-and-slow approach ensures that the bacon renders its fat properly and crisps up without burning. Once cooked, the bacon is removed from the pot, but the bacon drippings are left behind, which will be used to cook the onions and garlic, ensuring that the soup absorbs all that delicious bacon flavor.

The bacon is then added back into the soup at the end, providing the final crunchy, salty burst of flavor that perfectly complements the creamy base. The bacon bits provide an irresistible texture contrast against the smooth, velvety soup.

The Flavor Base: Onions and Garlic

A good soup starts with a solid flavor base, and in this case, onions and garlic do the heavy lifting. The onions are cooked in the bacon drippings until they’re softened and slightly caramelized, which brings out their natural sweetness. Then, minced garlic and butter are added, cooking for an additional minute. This combination creates a fragrant, savory foundation for the soup and adds depth of flavor that blends beautifully with the potatoes and bacon.

The Roux: Thickening the Soup

Next, a roux is created by adding flour to the bacon drippings, garlic, and onions. The flour is whisked in and cooked for a minute to remove any raw flour taste. This roux serves as the thickening agent for the soup. It ensures that the broth has a creamy, velvety texture without being too heavy. The roux also helps the soup hold together, giving it that satisfying, hearty consistency that’s characteristic of a great potato soup.

Building the Soup: Broth, Cream, and Mashed Potatoes

The next step is to add the liquids. Chicken broth provides a savory base, and half and half gives the soup its creamy, luxurious texture. After stirring the broth and half and half into the roux, the soup is brought to a boil and then simmered, allowing the flavors to meld together and the soup to thicken.

Once the base is simmering, the mashed potatoes are added in, further thickening the soup and adding a velvety consistency. Sour cream is stirred in at this point as well, contributing its tangy creaminess to balance the richness of the soup. The sour cream not only adds flavor but also enhances the soup’s smooth texture.

If you prefer a smoother, more refined texture, you can blend the soup with an immersion blender or transfer it to a regular blender in batches. Blending the soup gives it a silky, uniform consistency, but if you like a bit of texture, you can skip this step and keep some of the potato chunks intact.

Cheese and Bacon: The Final Touches

Once the soup has thickened and become creamy, the shredded cheddar cheese is gradually stirred in. The cheese melts into the soup, making it even creamier and adding a sharp, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory bacon and the tang of the sour cream.

The final addition is the crispy bacon, which is stirred in with finely diced chives. The chives add a burst of freshness, and the bacon provides that final savory kick. You can garnish the soup with additional bacon, cheese, and chives if desired, making each bowl visually appealing and even more flavorful.

Serving: A Hearty, Satisfying Meal

This Baked Potato Soup is hearty enough to be served as a meal on its own. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra bacon, cheese, and chives for a beautiful, flavorful presentation. It’s the perfect comfort food, ideal for a cold day or when you need a little extra warmth and satisfaction.

If you’d like to add a side, a slice of crusty bread or a simple green salad pairs well with the soup, but honestly, the soup itself is filling enough that it can stand alone as a full meal. The combination of tender potatoes, creamy broth, savory bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese makes every spoonful a comforting, satisfying bite.

Why Baked Potato Soup is the Ultimate Comfort Food

Baked Potato Soup is the quintessential comfort food because it’s rich, creamy, and packed with familiar flavors that remind you of the joy of a baked potato topped with all your favorite ingredients. The combination of tender potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and tangy sour cream creates a balanced dish that is both indulgent and satisfying. The soup is easy to make and incredibly customizable. You can adjust the cheese, bacon, or even the level of creaminess depending on your personal preference.

This soup is a great option for family dinners, cold weather days, or when you just want something filling and cozy. It’s versatile enough to be adapted to suit your taste and can easily be made in advance for meal prepping or reheated as leftovers. Plus, the aroma that fills your kitchen as it simmers is enough to make anyone hungry!

Conclusion

In conclusion, Baked Potato Soup is the ultimate comfort food, with a creamy, flavorful broth packed with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tender potatoes. It’s the perfect meal for chilly nights, family gatherings, or whenever you need something hearty and satisfying. Easy to make, incredibly filling, and full of rich, comforting flavors, this soup is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just for yourself, this Baked Potato Soup is guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out and leave you craving more.