This easy creamy loaded
Potato Soup recipe is so good! It’s loaded with hearty potatoes and savory, crunchy bacon in a creamy base made without using heavy cream. This quick, 30-minute recipe is a total comfort food that you’ll make over and over again.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
We love easy creamy soups all year long, like fresh Corn Chowder, New England Style Clam Chowder, and this baked Potato Soup, because they are simple to make and are hearty enough to serve as the main course, paired with crusty Sourdough or French Bread.
The Best Potato Soup RecipeThis creamy, homemade potato soup is one of our favorite restaurant copycat recipes. It’s so easy to make from scratch and beats any restaurant soup. The base is so filling that it’s like a delicious loaded baked potato with all your favorite toppings or Loaded Potato Casserole, but in soup form–yes, please!
You’ll love how we thicken this potato soup! Instead of using heavy cream, we make a roux (a mixture of butter, flour, broth, and milk). So it’s creamy without the extra calories in the cream.
Potato soup is perfect for meal prep since it keeps well in the fridge and freezer and can be saved in portion sizes for a quick and easy meal.
Ingredients for Potato SoupThe soup uses ingredients you most likely already have at home and can be made so quickly. Whip it up as a satisfying meal on a busy weeknight evening or serve it as a comforting weekend meal.
Bacon – crumbled bacon is the traditional potato soap ingredient, but you can substitute cubed ham if desired.Potatoes – our favorite potatoes for soup are Russet or Idaho potatoes but Yukon gold potatoes also work well. NOTE: If you’re using Yukon potatoes, the skin may be left on.Vegetables – we only added onion and garlic, you can add cubed carrots and celery in step 3.Broth – a roux thickens the soup with butter, flour, broth, and milk. We add sour cream for a bit of acid and creaminess. Chicken broth or vegetable broth works fine here. For a Gluten Free potato soup, you can substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour.Cheese – Mild cheddar or sharp cheddar is great. Try to grate the cheese yourself, since pre-shredded cheese is coated to keep it from sticking, but shredded will work in a pinch. Pro Tip:For a spicy kick in the soup, add a 1/4 tsp (or to taste) of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, smokey paprika, or chili powder.
How to Make Potato SoupIt’s simple to make this potato soup recipe for a weeknight meal or meal prep, but see our tip below for achieving the best consistency.
Place potatoes in a pot, cover with water, season with salt, and cook until tender then drain.Saute bacon until crispy in a separate Dutch oven, remove and set aside, reserving 1 Tbsp bacon grease.Add onions and butter to the bacon grease and saute until soft. Add garlic, and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.Whisk in flour, milk, and broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a soft boil.Add drained potatoes and season with salt and pepper.Stir in sour cream, cheese and bacon. Bring to a boil then remove from heat. Pro Tip:We like a chunky soup, but you can adjust the thickness by blending a portion or all of the soup. Before adding the bacon into the pot in step 6, use an immersion blender or scoop some of the hot soup into a blender and blend to get the creamy texture you prefer.
Toppings for Potato SoupServe this easy potato soup recipe with your favorite toppings! We like to make it a truly loaded soup, so here are some of my favorite options:
Bacon bitsShredded cheeseSour creamDiced avocadoCooked kernels of boiled cornCroutonsRed pepper flakesGreen onion or chivesWhat to Serve with Potato SoupThis hearty meal is thick and creamy and perfect for feeding a hungry family. To make it a more complete meal, try these side dishes that perfectly complement the warm soup:
Crusty No-Knead BreadSoft Dinner RollsHomemade Caeser SaladGarden SaladCarrott Apple and Walnut SaladLoaded baked potato soup is comfort food at its finest. You’re going to love the combination of flavors in the soup. Every bite is loaded with creamy soup with chunks of potatoes, bacon, and cheese.
StorageLoaded baked potato soup keeps well in the refrigerator and the freezer. Let the soap completely before storing.
To Refrigerate: Store for up to 5 days in an airtight containerFreezing: divide into portion sizes and freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 6 monthsTo Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat from frozen in a pot on the stove until heated through. You can slowly add more milk to get a creamier consistency. More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll LoveI love easy and quick but tasty meals for weeknight dinners, like this potato soup. Once you try this one, check out these other easy dinner ideas:
Juicy MeatloafHoney Garlic ChickenMonterey ChickenChicken Lettuce WrapsCajun Chicken and Mushroom PastaTaco SoupPasta PrimaveraEgg Roll in a Bowl