Loaded Baked Potato Soup

It’s official…fall is here. Well, maybe not officially, but on a day when it doesn’t get above 70 and a week ahead that promises much of the same, I call it open season on soup. Honestly, I just couldn’t wait any longer.

Potato soup has always been my favorite of all the soups. It’s what I order at restaurants when it’s available. There even used to be times when I’d choose a certain restaurant just because I loved their potato soup. I’ve been making it for a few years, but it took me a long time to get it right. My versions used to always lack either the right zip or the right consistency. I can’t tell you how excited I was when I finally got it right.

So here is my Loaded Baked Potato Soup, developed after years of falling short!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

• 1 lb. bacon, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 5 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 c. chicken stock
• 3 T. butter
• 3 T. flour
• 1 1/2 c. milk
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 3/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/2 t. black pepper
• Sour cream for garnish, optional

1. In a large stock pot, cook bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain and set aside. Drain all but 2 T. of bacon grease from the pot. Cook the onions in the remaining bacon grease for about 5 minutes, until tender.

2. Add potatoes and chicken stock to pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer about 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender. With a slotted spoon, remove a few scoops of potatoes. Place in a bowl and mash with a fork. Set aside.

3. In a small sauce pan, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk, bring to a boil and simmer until thickened. Slowly stir in to stock pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer. Stir mashed potatoes back into pot.

4. Add 1/2 c. shredded cheese, three-fourths of the bacon and half the sliced green onions to pot. Add pepper. Stir to combine. Cook an additional 5 minutes.

5. To serve, ladle soup into individual bowls and top with some shredded cheese, bacon, green onions and optional sour cream.

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This post is being linked to:

• Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed With Grace
• $5 Dinner Challenge at $5 Dinners
• Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam