Loaded Baked Potato Soup.

February 12, 2010 · 56 comments

A few weeks ago, I had the creamiest potato soup for lunch. I went home the next day and re-created it, and I think my own version was even creamier.

Yes, I realize this makes multiple posts this week that include bacon. I just can’t help it. Bacon is my soulmate. It never leaves my side. It doesn’t judge me.

However, I think it’s time bacon and I took the next step in our relationship. I’m going to start doing squats with bacon and bacon bicep curls. It’s very necessary.

 

If you don’t like bacon or don’t eat it, it definitely isn’t necessary in this soup.

(And if you are one of those vegetarians/vegans that reads my blog, thank you and I love you! It can be bacon overload sometimes.)

 

I added the bacon once the soup was finished – half of the bacon went into the soup, the other half was saved for garnish.

 

The starchy potatoes gave the soup such a thick, smooth consistency. It was addicting. 

I don’t make soup very often, because, well. . .I have no patience.

While soup is simmering away, I usually consume a few bananas, some sandwiches, chocolate chips by the cup-full, and, of course, wine, since it most often lands in my soups.

No wine went into this soup, but I had a few sips for good measure.

 

The best part of this soup was that while it was super-duper creamy, there were some soft chunks of potato in it, too. I used yukon gold potatoes and left the skins on – such a tasty treat!

 

Baked Potato Soup

Serves 6

6-8 large yukon gold potatoes, baked with skin on and chopped

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup heavy cream

2 cups skim milk

1/2 cup chicken stock, if needed

1 cup grated smoked cheddar cheese

2 green onions, chopped

4 slices bacon, fried and crumbled

Heat a large pot on medium heat. Once hot, add butter and flour, and whisk into a roux. Add heavy cream, potatoes and skim milk, continuously stirring until thickened. Stir in cheese, making sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Depending on desired consistency, add chicken stock. Stir in 2 slices of crumbled bacon and green onions. Season with salt and pepper if needed.

Serve and garnish with remaining bacon.

 

 

I went back for 2nd’s, 3rd’s and 4th’s – the soup was that incredible. I actually ate it all before Mr. How Sweet got any of it.

Oops.

{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }

Maria February 12, 2010 at 7:57 am

Wow, that is creamy:) We have a 10 pound bag of potatoes, they were on sale, I couldn’t help myself. This soup recipe will come in handy:)

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Andrea @ CanYouStayForDinner.com February 12, 2010 at 9:05 am

I’m going to make this soup today! I don’t even like soup in general, but the pictures on your blog make me reconsider everything.
I’m amazed at all of the beautiful recipes you create. Great work!

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Jennie February 12, 2010 at 9:07 am

I’m a Southern girl. Bacon is my friend :)

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Cassie February 12, 2010 at 9:09 am

Ooohhhhh myyy goodness!! That looks FANTASTIC. I don’t think i’ve ever tried legit potato soup before but this looks AMAZING. I want to try it. I don’t think there’s any heavy cream in this house..would using all skim milk work?

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Jessica February 12, 2010 at 9:19 am

Cassie-

Using just skim milk may not make it as creamy, but you can definitely try! If you have 2% or a thicker milk, it may work better, too. You could also just add some flour gradually until it gets thicker. :)

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Heather (Heather's Dish) February 12, 2010 at 9:10 am

oh my gosh. this looks amazing and perfectly creamy! there’s nothing wrong with your relationship with bacon, it’s inspiring :)

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Estela @ Weekly Bite February 12, 2010 at 9:10 am

Potato soup is 100% my absolute FAVORITE!!!!!

I forgot to tell you… last weekend I went out to dinner and had Peanut Butter Cheesecake with bacon bits inside and an oreo cookie crust. It was so good!

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Jenna @Healthy. Happy. Well. February 12, 2010 at 9:15 am

Well, I don’t eat bacon, but my boyfriend LOVES it! I’ll be trying this little recipe out for him. Maybe V Day dinner?? Looks delicious!

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Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) February 12, 2010 at 9:17 am

I love a loaded potato soup – and I LOVE bacon. I think you and I would be great friends :-)

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Erica February 12, 2010 at 9:17 am

Love that you left the skins on! And I like the combination of both cream and skim. Good stuff!Hope you and the man have a wonderful Valentine’s Day

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Mr. How Sweet It Is February 12, 2010 at 9:41 am

yep…never knew this was made.

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Kelly B. February 12, 2010 at 9:43 am

Yum! Yum! Yum! This looks awesome! I am so bad at making homemade soup…I rely too much on the cartons (but hey at least that is one step up from a can, right??)

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homecookedem February 12, 2010 at 10:00 am

I used to always order the loaded baked potato soup from O’Charley’s… not sure if yall have those up there in PA… anyway, I LOVED it so much, but this looks even creamier and yummier!! Thanks for the recipe!! :)

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Abby (Nibble, Nourish, Run) February 12, 2010 at 10:19 am

Gasp! My favorite! This looks incredible – I am the biggest fan of baked potato soup…and the bacon…oh my the bacon. Looks incredible!

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katie February 12, 2010 at 11:14 am

this is great!! such good comfort food for the COLD ness! Have you tried O Charleys loaded tater soup?! UMMM DROOOL! i bet yours is just as good!

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Tracy February 12, 2010 at 11:15 am

Oh, that looks like heaven…and I do love me some bacon. Yum!!

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Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries February 12, 2010 at 11:16 am

yummm when are you moving to nyc to cook for me

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Mae @ OhhMay February 12, 2010 at 11:21 am

Yuuummm any potato soup reminds me of vichyssoise. That’s my ultimate favorite, especially with some golden leeks and scallions on top!

This is a perfect meal for a cold day!

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Amanda February 12, 2010 at 11:23 am

I just might have to try this… I have tried a few of your recipes now and this you do a great job with directions and ‘yumm-ability’. You rock.

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Dimitry February 12, 2010 at 11:27 am

Bacon Yum.

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Catherine February 12, 2010 at 11:48 am

Well I might be mostly vegan, but that looks so good I thin I might need to try a veganified version of this… tempeh bacon, nut milk, earth balance, maybe some pureed raw cashews for richness?? Oh now I really want to try this!

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Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg February 12, 2010 at 11:53 am

Mmmm…I LURRRRVE baked potato soup! Yours looks awesome!

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Madeline - Greens and Jeans February 12, 2010 at 12:20 pm

My dad makes the best potato soup EVER and I’ve got to say, yours might give him a run for his money!

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Ashley February 12, 2010 at 12:30 pm

YUM! I have that bowl but in plate form…same design!! love it!!

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Kacy February 12, 2010 at 1:09 pm

I loove huge chunks of potato in soup.

You always make your meat look pretty, so I’m cool with it :)

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dawn February 12, 2010 at 1:34 pm

ok you are a rockstar. you made it really thick, just the way I love soups. sweet.

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Christie @ Honoring Health February 12, 2010 at 2:10 pm

You are killing me with all this bacon, girl!

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Katrina February 12, 2010 at 2:23 pm

Yum! I love a thick soup. Hearty, filling, delicious!

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Nicole @ Making Good Choices February 12, 2010 at 2:36 pm

yum. I love soup, especially potato soup. squats with bacon sound good to me haha

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Abby February 12, 2010 at 3:42 pm

Looks sooo good (even though I am one of those vegetarians). BUt seriously, those look almost like mashed potatoes!!! AMAZING!

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Diana February 12, 2010 at 3:56 pm

I don’t normally like potato soups, but your recipe and photos are making me want to make some stat! yum! :)

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zinerim February 12, 2010 at 4:38 pm

very delicious!!

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Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) February 12, 2010 at 6:21 pm

My husband would move in with you for this one: butter, milk, onions, potatoes. The way to a man’s heart is thru his stomach w/ food like this no doubt!

Happy VDay, Jessica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
xoxox

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april February 12, 2010 at 8:21 pm

Oh gosh my sister should come let you cook for her.. that recipe has got her name all over it!!

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Michelle February 12, 2010 at 8:39 pm

This looks just perfect for Blizzard Day Soup! Gorgeous pictures!

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Cheryl February 12, 2010 at 9:00 pm

How can anyone not like bacon? I’m not a huge soup fan, b/c they’re usually so runny and bland, but this, b/c it’s creamy, looks worth the effort!

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sophia February 12, 2010 at 9:48 pm

Dear…that’s not soup. That’s pudding! Look at how thick and creamy it is! YUUUUMMM~

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One Healthy Apple February 12, 2010 at 11:43 pm

This looks so delicious and comforting. I think I’m 2 blog posts away from craving bacon! I’ve already given into butter :)

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Mackenzie@TheCaramelCookie February 13, 2010 at 6:58 am

This looks SO good! I could use nice big bowl of this soup, especially with all the snow around my house!

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Vicious February 13, 2010 at 9:19 pm

I make a very similar version with the exception of frying the bacon first, then making the roux in the bacon fat instead of butter. Nom!

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terri February 14, 2010 at 8:06 am

oh my gosh jessica! your recipes get better every day….seriously! i think i am going to gain 10 lbs by just looking at them…..this will be great during the winter weather we have been having! thanks for another yummy post!

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Jenn (www.j3nn.net) February 14, 2010 at 3:42 pm

I love potato soup, but this perfects it! Wow, I have to try this sometime soon. Drooooooooooooooooool :P

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Jenn

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Anne @ the doctor takes a wife February 14, 2010 at 3:52 pm

between this and the chicken pasta, I’m totally going to have my bacon fix :)

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Kailey (SnackFace) February 15, 2010 at 7:30 am

Mmmmm,you may be the only blogger who makes me really wish I still ate bacon+ meat. This soup sounds and looks amazing!

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Becca H. January 10, 2011 at 1:20 pm

In honor of my undying devotion to your blog…and your AMAZING recipes, I am making a gigantic pot of this today…with lots of extra crispy bacon. Maybe I’ll even make bacon bruschetta (have you noticed how bacon goes well with EVERYTHING?) to serve with it. I <3 you!

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Jessica January 10, 2011 at 1:35 pm

Yum! Enjoy it… I wish I was there to eat it with you!

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Becca H. January 10, 2011 at 7:11 pm

You may not realize it, but you WERE here with me :-)

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Kathy January 13, 2011 at 2:46 pm

Potato soup is my go to, make me feel better, warms me when its cold, very best comfort food! Can’t wait to try this recipe!!!!!

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Laura February 20, 2011 at 9:35 pm

All right… utterly stupid question, but you say to add baked potatoes- Whenever I’ve made soup I’ve put raw potatoes in it, because they always boil in the soup. This soup is different, so how do you suggest baking the potatoes? I know… Stupid question, but I’ve never baked a potato. Bread, cookies, quiche- yes, potatoes, no. How pathetic. Help a girl out!!

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Jessica February 21, 2011 at 3:06 am

Scrub the potatoes, poke lots of holes in them with a fork and bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes. :)

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Phillip February 23, 2011 at 8:22 pm

I just wanted to tell you that I think I’m in love with you. My BFF Leah and i send each other your info all the time. Your pictures and creations are fantastic! pizza potatoes….crab stuffed eggplant – this potatoe soup….i’m starving again!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you!

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