↑

Will Cook For Smiles

Classic and Original Homecooking Recipes

  • Home
    • About Me
    • Work With Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Subscribe!
  • Recipes
    • Popular Posts
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Healthy Dishes
    • Soup
    • Salad
    • Sandwich
    • Cauliflower
    • Drink
    • Cocktail
  • How To
  • Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot Main Dishes
    • Instant Pot Side Dishes
    • Instant Pot Soups
  • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Seafood
    • Pork
    • Chili
    • Pasta
    • Slow Cooker
    • Vegetarian
  • Dessert
    • Cheesecake
    • Cake
    • Cookies
    • Chocolate
  • Holidays
    • Christmas Dinner
    • Christmas Baking
    • Holiday Leftover Recipes
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Super Bowl Recipes
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • BBQ
    • 4th Of July
    • Fall Recipes
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
Home » Lunch » Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Created: December 23, 2020 Updated: October 4, 2022 by Lyuba Brooke 25 Comments *This post may contain affiliate links. Read More...

37.4K shares
Jump to Recipe

Potato Soup is one of the most comforting soups you can ever have! This potato soup recipe is loaded with crispy bacon, soft golden potatoes, cheese, and green onions.

creamy soup topped with bacon, shredded cheese and chives in a white and orange bowl with a spoon

When it’s cold outside, comfort foods and warm soups are just what we need to warm up. Loaded baked potato soup checks all of those boxes! It’s easy to make, has an amazing flavor, and it’s comforting for your tummy and soul.

This soup has the best of the baked potato flavors in all in one comforting bowl. There is the hearty based of potato soup and all finished with bacon, sharp cheddar cheese sour cream, and green onions.

This homemade potato soup, is so much better than the one you can get at Panera or any other restaurant. Plus, you will have the whole batch all to yourself. You can even make a double batch for a big family dinner!

Ingredients In This Potato Soup Recipe

Every ingredient is simple and inexpensive, making this a budget-friendly meal for any occasion. In fact, you may already have everything you need to make it!

  • Butter – use unsalted butter and if need to, you can use plant-based butter.
  • Bacon – Make sure to dice cold bacon first, plus the bacon grease will add a lot of flavor to the soup. (If you feel like there is too much grease, you can drain it off.)
  • Yellow onion
  • Garlic
  • Potatoes –  Gold potatoes are my number one choice for this potato soup but you can also use Idaho potatoes.
  • Vegetable stock – Use store bought or homemade stock, whichever you prefer. Chicken stock makes a great substitute as well.
  • Salt and pepper – Always season to taste and taste your food as you go!
  • Garlic powder
  • Bay leaf – Once the soup is done, scoop this out and discard it before serving.
  • Heavy cream – if you must, replace it with half and half or whole milk instead. (You can even use lactose free whole milk.)
  • Sour cream – Since it’s such a small amount, Greek yogurt makes a great lower fat alternative without changing the flavor.
  • Green onion
  • Fresh dill weed – Easily swap this for dried dill but reduce the amount by a third.
  • Cheddar cheese – Always buy a fresh block and grate your own, since pre-bagged shredded cheese contains additives and separators. Sharper cheddars will have a bolder flavor.
white and orange ceramic bowl filled with loaded baked potato soup

Step By Step Instructions

Cook the bacon and onions. Sauté bacon in butter first until the bacon is half way done and then add onions and cook until they are soft starting to caramelize.

finely chopped bacon being crisped in a white dutch oven

Add the potatoes. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.

making a potato soup recipe- stirring potatoes and bacon a white pot

Stir in the broth. There should be enough liquid to just cover the potatoes, though that may depend on how wide your pot is. Add the garlic as well and bring to a boil.

broth being poured from a glass measuring cup into a pot of potatoes and chopped bacon

Simmer: Stir in the seasonings, add a bay leaf, and cover with a lid. Once the potatoes are mostly tender, remove the lid and continue cooking until soft.

pot of cubed potatoes, bacon, broth, and a bay leaf in a pot on the stove

Add remaining ingredients. Mix until well combined and cook the loaded potato soup for a few more minutes.

wooden spoon stirring shredded cheese, cream, dill, and green onion into a pot of soup on the stove

Serve: Once the cheese is completely melted, spoon into bowls and serve garnished with more cheese, bacon, and green onions!

wooden spoon stirring soup in a white pot

Storing and Reheating

Transfer any leftovers to a food storage container with an air-tight lid and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.

You can easily reheat individual portions of soup in the microwave, in increments of about 45 seconds. Stir it between each increment of time so it reheats evenly. It’s best to reheat in increments to prevent soup from being singed or separated.

If the texture is too thick, add a splash of vegetable stock or milk until it reaches the right consistency. 

How to freeze loaded baked potato soup

Usually, soups with dairy products don’t freeze well so you can freeze the soup without adding heavy cream and sour cream. (Add heavy cream and sour cream when reheating.)

You can use one large container, large freezer bag, or divide it into smaller zip-top freezer bags for individual servings. Be sure to leave some room at the top to allow for expansion as the soup freezes.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat it over medium-low heat on stovetop and stir in heavy cream and sour cream.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • Short on time? Peel, chop, and shred everything in advance and store in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator. (Note: potatoes will oxidize and turn brown on the outside if you peel them ahead of time. But, don’t worry, they are completely safe to eat. Just chop peeled potatoes and cook.) Don’t prep ingredients more than a day ahead or everything will start to wilt.
  • Chop bacon cold. The meat is less likely to pull or tear when it’s cold from the refrigerator. Also, use a large, sharp chef’s knife rather than a utility knife.
  • Want a smoother texture? Mash some of the potatoes in the pot before serving. Just don’t mash too much or overmix, since that can create a gluey texture from all the starch that’s released.

Serving Suggestions

While loaded baked potato soup is more than enough on its own, you could easily pair a smaller bowl with a delicious sandwich or some roasted chicken.

Dress it up with all your favorite toppings too!

  • Shredded cheese
  • Bacon pieces
  • Chives
  • Herbs: dill weed or parsley
  • Sour cream
  • Croutons
  • Roasted corn kernels

Other Comforting Soup Recipes

If you’ve got leftover holiday ham, chop it up and toss it in a pot with some vegetables and stock to make Ham and Potato Soup. It’s finished with milk and white cheddar for a perfectly creamy texture.

Or, try my just-as-creamy Potato Leek Soup for a more sophisticated flavor.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup is another great comfort food option for cold winter nights. Make it completely from scratch or take a few shortcuts. Either way, it will turn out delicious!

overhead of loaded baked potato soup with toppings sits next to a spoon and patterned kitchen towel

If you made any of my recipes and shared them on Instagram, make sure to tag me @willcookforsmiles and #willcookforsmiles so I can see all the things you tried!

Don’t forget to sign up for email, so you won’t miss any new recipes.

PIN THIS RECIPE

creamy soup topped with bacon, shredded cheese and chives in a white and orange bowl with a spoon

Greatest Baked Potato Soup

Delicious, comforting loaded potato soup that’s made with bacon, green onions, and cheese, This creamy potato soup is perfect for the fall season. 
4.89 from 9 votes
Print SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour
Servings: 4 (makes about 5 cups)
Calories: 744kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 lb raw bacon diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 3 lbs cubed golden potatoes
  • 2 cups vegetable stock enough to cover the potatoes
  • salt
  • cracked black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2-3 tbsp sour cream
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onion
  • 1 tsp fresh dill weed
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Prepare the ingredients first. Dice cold bacon and onion into small pieces. (Note that bacon is easier to cut when it's cold.) Peel and dice potatoes and measure remaining ingredients.
    You can dice and prepare green onion and dill when ready to add to the soup.
  • Preheat a Dutch oven over medium heat and melt butter in it.
  • Add diced bacon and cook it until about half way cooked. Add yellow onion and sauté until onion and bacon are fully cooked.
  • Add pressed garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  • Add the cubed potatoes and cook for about 5 minutes.
  • Pour in chicken stock (enough to just cover the potatoes) and stir well. Bring the soup to simmer on medium-high heat and then reduce heat to medium-low.
  • Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and add bay leaf. Cover and cook until the potatoes are mostly tender. Take the lid off and cook until potatoes are completely tender. Make sure to stir often.
  • Stir in dill weed, green onion, sour cream, cheese, and heavy cream. Mix well and cook for a few more minutes and serve!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 744kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 1024mg | Potassium: 1658mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1190IU | Vitamin C: 71mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles
collage image of title and two photos of loaded baked potato soup in a bowl

Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles on May 27, 2011. Updated December 23, 2020.

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

37.4K shares

Filed Under: Dinner, Fall Recipes, Lunch, Popular Posts, Soup

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Debbi says

    October 8, 2023 at 7:16 pm

    4 stars
    Made this we loved it, just wish it was little thicker next time more potatoes. Will definitely make again.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      October 9, 2023 at 10:55 am

      Hi Debbie,

      If you like it a bit thicker you can mash some of the potatoes in the pot before serving. Just don’t mash too much or overmix, since that can create a gluey texture from all the starch that’s released.

      Reply
  2. Lindy says

    September 28, 2023 at 6:38 pm

    Where are the baked potatoes?

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      October 6, 2023 at 9:46 am

      Loaded potato soup isn’t made with actual baked potatoes but the toppings that you would use on a baked potato soup.

      Reply
  3. Kaitlyn says

    September 9, 2023 at 12:49 pm

    Can this me made in a slow cooker. If so how long would you heat in low?

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      September 15, 2023 at 3:47 pm

      Yes, it can, I wouldn’t recommend just throwing everything in a slow cooker because it starts with cooking bacon and builds on that. If you throw raw bacon into the slow cooker, the fat will not render but you will have soft bacon and fat. It won’t be the same flavor experience in a slow cooker because you add the sauteed flavor to bacon and veggies.

      If you do want a slow cooker soup you can always start in a pot on a stove and follow the recipe up to the step of adding the stock. Transfer sauteed bacon, veggies, and potatoes to the slow cooker, and add the stock and seasoning to it in the slow cooker. And then cook for about 4-6 hours on low until all tender. Add the cream and cheese and sour cream and herbs during the last 20 minutes.

      Also, it won’t be as thick because the stock doesn’t get a chance to cook out so once the potatoes are soft stir and break them up you can even mash a few of them and stir to get the thickness from the potatoes.

      Reply
  4. Sherry says

    February 19, 2023 at 12:52 pm

    Can this be made in a crockpot?

    Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

Christmas Dinner Recipes

squared closeup of baked ham with orange ham glaze.

Baked Ham with Orange Honey Ham Glaze

holding some scooped hashbrown casserole on a metal spatula over the dish.

Hashbrown Casserole

sliced beef tenderloin with seasoning on the sides and rosemary sprig next to it.

Beef Tenderloin

scooping out some sweet potato casserole with sweet pecan crumble on top.

Sweet Potato Casserole

slices of juicy pork with brown gravy

Pot Roasted Pork Loin

sliced roasted garlic pork loin on the board and sprig of rosemary.

Garlic Pork Loin

stuffing on a serving spoon with the rest in a casserole dish in the background.

Stuffing Recipe

green bean casserole in a baking dish with spoon sitting in the dish.

Green Bean Casserole

Our Popular Recipes

Baked Chicken Wings with The Best Dry Rub

square image of centered Tom Collins cocktail

Tom Collins

close up view of view from above of salted chocolate white chocolate chip cookies on a wire cooling rack on top of a wooden table and top cookie broken into 2

Salted White Chocolate Chip Brown Butter Chocolate Cookies

serving of creamy scalloped potatoes on small round white plate with a fork. Remaining casserole in background

The Best Scalloped Potatoes

borscht soup in a pot with a ladle scoop of soup being lifted out.

Borscht Recipe

closeup of slices of corned beef brisket cooked in Instant pot.

Instant Pot Corned Beef

Top Rated Recipes

The Best French Toast

Cauliflower Parmesan Crisps

Christmas Cheesecake (Cranberry Jam White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake)

Avocado Salmon Rice Bowl

round decorative bowl filled with apple pie bread pudding topped with ice cream and a fork leaning on the side of the bowl viewed close up.

Apple Pie Bread Pudding

Smores cheesecake on a wooden table

S'mores Cheesecake

Sides

30 Min

Pasta

Salads

Breakfast

Drinks

Soups

Gluten Free

FEATURED ON:

featured on

Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup

November 30, 2023
Instant...
Baked Ham with Orange Honey Ham Glaze

Baked Ham with Orange Honey Ham Glaze

November 27, 2023
This...
Hashbrown Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole

November 27, 2023
This...
Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

November 21, 2023
This...
Beef Tenderloin

Beef Tenderloin

November 15, 2023
Beef...
Garlic Pork Loin

Garlic Pork Loin

November 11, 2023
Easy...
Borscht Recipe

Borscht Recipe

November 9, 2023
Borscht...
Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

November 8, 2023
Green...
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

October 30, 2023
Instant...
Instant Pot Chili

Instant Pot Chili

October 26, 2023
Instant...
Privacy Policy
©2023, Will Cook For Smiles. Design by Pixel Me Designs