Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Sarah

Writer & Blogger

Soups
April 7, 2025

Loaded Baked Potato Soup: A Creamy Comfort Food Delight! 🥔🥣🧀

1. Introduction

There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup on a chilly day, and this loaded baked potato soup recipe takes comfort food to the next level. Imagine the rich, velvety texture of potatoes blended to perfection, generously loaded with all the best toppings imaginable, like crispy bacon bits, a blanket of shredded cheese, and a cool dollop of sour cream. This isn’t just any soup; it’s a hearty, deeply satisfying meal that’s perfect for cozy family dinners or those snug nights in when you just want something truly comforting. Thinking about other comforting options? Why not explore our collection of soup recipes for even more inspiration! Whether you prefer to call it creamy potato soup, baked potato soup, or the ever-popular cheesy potato soup, one thing is absolutely certain: it’s incredibly delicious, universally appealing, and surprisingly easy to make!

This loaded baked potato soup recipe is specifically designed to be exceptionally straightforward and approachable, ensuring that even cooks with limited experience can achieve restaurant-quality results in their very own kitchens. We believe everyone deserves access to delicious, home-cooked meals! The inherent beauty of this recipe truly lies in its beautiful simplicity and the remarkable ability to customize it to your precise liking and preferences. Feel absolutely free to experiment with your favorite spices and seasonings, carefully adjust the delightful toppings, or even throw in some perfectly roasted vegetables for an extra boost of both incredible flavor and added nutritional value. Looking for more dinner options? Browse our dinner recipes for tons of ideas. Get ready to experience and enjoy a bowl of pure, unadulterated comfort with this absolutely amazing creamy potato soup! If you love hearty soups, you should definitely check out our Amish Snow Day Soup recipe.

2. Ingredients Needed

6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings: sour cream, green onions

3. Equipment Needed

Large pot or Dutch oven
Immersion blender or regular blender
Cutting board
Knife
Measuring cups and spoons

4. Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sauté Vegetables and Cook Potatoes

In a large pot or Dutch oven – the workhorse of any kitchen – melt the butter over medium heat, allowing it to coat the bottom evenly. Add the chopped onion and celery, and sauté until softened and wonderfully fragrant, about 5 minutes. This step is crucial, as it builds a foundation of flavor. Add the diced potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce heat and gently simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Make sure they’re cooked through! This forms the rich and flavorful base of your incredible baked potato soup. Pair this with something from our baking recipes category.

Diced potatoes, onions, and celery simmering in chicken broth for Loaded Baked Potato Soup.

2. Cook and Prepare Bacon

While the potatoes are gently simmering away and softening to perfection, turn your attention to the bacon. Cook the bacon in a skillet (or bake it for less mess!) until it reaches peak crispiness. Remove the crispy bacon from the pan with tongs and place it on a plate that has been lined with paper towels to drain away any excess grease. Once the bacon has cooled enough to handle safely, crumble it into small, irresistible pieces. Set that crumbled bacon aside; it will be used later for topping the loaded baked potato soup, adding both incredible flavor and a delightful textural contrast.

Cooked bacon being chopped for Loaded Baked Potato Soup.

3. Blend the Soup

Once the potatoes have reached that perfect level of tenderness, carefully remove the pot from the heat source. Using an immersion blender (also known as a stick blender), blend the soup directly in the pot until it achieves a beautifully smooth and incredibly creamy consistency. If you don’t happen to have an immersion blender readily available, you can carefully transfer the soup to a regular blender in manageable batches, blending each batch until smooth. Make sure to vent the blender to prevent pressure buildup! Then, return the blended soup back to the original pot. This particular step is absolutely key to achieving that signature creamy potato soup texture that everyone raves about. For another flavorful recipe, give our Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry a try.

Potato soup being blended for a creamy Loaded Baked Potato Soup.

4. Add Cheese, Milk, and Seasonings

Now, gently stir in the milk and the softened cream cheese until they are thoroughly combined, ensuring that the soup remains wonderfully smooth and free of any lumps. Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the pot and continue to stir until the cheese is completely melted and beautifully incorporated, creating that deliciously cheesy flavor we all crave. Season generously with both salt and pepper, to taste. Now is the perfect time to carefully adjust the seasonings as needed to perfectly customize your very own cheesy potato soup. At this point, your mouthwatering loaded baked potato soup recipe is almost entirely complete and ready to be enjoyed!

Creamy potato soup base being prepared with milk and cream cheese for Loaded Baked Potato Soup.

5. Tips and Tricks for the Best Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Use High-Quality Ingredients: The better the initial ingredients, the more exceptional the final soup will be! Opt for good quality bacon that’s thick-cut and extra-sharp cheddar cheese for the absolute best, most robust flavor.
Don’t Overcook the Potatoes: Overcooked potatoes have a tendency to become unpleasantly gummy in texture. Cook them just until they are easily pierced with a fork and are perfectly tender.
Adjust the Consistency: If you happen to prefer a thinner soup, simply add a bit more milk until you reach your desired consistency. Conversely, for a thicker, more substantial soup, use slightly less milk or consider adding a cornstarch slurry (mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch thoroughly with 2 tablespoons of cold water) to help thicken it.
Make it Vegetarian: Easily adapt this recipe to make it vegetarian-friendly by substituting vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth and omitting the bacon entirely. You can also use vegetarian bacon alternatives if you desire that smoky flavor.
Spice it Up: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, try adding a small pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to give the soup a little extra kick.

6. Serving Suggestions

Serve the loaded baked potato soup while it’s still hot and wonderfully steamy, garnished generously with crumbled crispy bacon, a blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, a cool and creamy dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkling of freshly chopped green onions. A side of warm, crusty bread, garlic bread, or a perfectly grilled cheese sandwich complements this rich soup beautifully. This creamy potato soup is also fantastic as a starter to a larger, more elaborate meal or as a comforting and satisfying lunch on a chilly afternoon. For a sweet ending, consider our No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake Balls.

7. Variations of the Recipe

Roasted Garlic Potato Soup: Roast garlic cloves along with the potatoes before adding them to the soup for a deeper, much richer and more complex flavor profile.
Broccoli Cheddar Potato Soup: Add steamed broccoli florets to the soup for a nutritious and flavorful twist that adds both color and texture.
Spicy Chorizo Potato Soup: Use chorizo sausage in place of the bacon for a delightful and spicy kick that will warm you from the inside out.
Skin-On Potato Soup: Leave the skins on the potatoes for added texture, increased nutritional value, and a more rustic, hearty flavor.

8. Health Benefits

While the traditional loaded baked potato soup is undoubtedly indulgent, it can certainly be made significantly healthier. You can do this with just a few simple and strategic tweaks. Consider using low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese, increasing the amount and variety of vegetables added, and carefully controlling the amount of bacon used. These changes can drastically reduce both the fat and overall calorie content of the soup without sacrificing that amazing flavor. Potatoes are also a good source of vitamin C and potassium, providing valuable nutritional benefits to this otherwise comforting and decadent dish. To explore more about the origin of this dish, you can visit this external resource.

9. Conclusion

This loaded baked potato soup recipe is absolutely guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, offering a reliably warm and supremely comforting meal that is perfectly suited for absolutely any occasion. With its luxuriously creamy texture, wonderfully cheesy flavor, and the endless possibilities of customizable toppings, it’s really no wonder that this particular soup is an enduring favorite with so many people. Whether you’re in the mood for something hearty for dinner or are looking for a comforting lunch option, this baked potato soup is absolutely certain to satisfy completely. So, gather all of your ingredients, diligently follow the simple steps outlined above, and treat yourself to a downright delicious bowl of homemade creamy potato soup today! And if you’re eager to see what else we have cooking, why not swing by our breakfast and brunch recipes section? Enjoy your homemade cheesy potato soup!