Ultimate Loaded Potato Soup

Loaded Potato Soup: The Only Recipe You’ll Ever Need

If you’re craving the ultimate comfort food on a chilly evening, look no further than this loaded potato soup recipe. Imagine a bowl of rich, creamy potato soup that’s packed with flavors from tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and melted cheese—this is the loaded potato soup that will warm your soul and satisfy your cravings in under 45 minutes. As the go-to potato soup recipe for home cooks everywhere, this version stands out for its extra creamy texture, achieved through a simple yet masterful blending technique that ensures every spoonful is velvety smooth. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned chef, this easy potato soup will become your new favorite, offering the heartiness of baked potato soup without the fuss.

The aroma of simmering potatoes, onions, celery, and carrots fills the kitchen, promising a symphony of flavors that dance on your taste buds. This loaded potato soup boasts a luxuriously creamy consistency that coats your spoon, with chunks of tender vegetables adding just the right amount of texture. Each bite delivers a perfect balance of smoky bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a hint of freshness from green onions, making it an irresistible creamy potato soup that’s hearty enough for a main course but elegant for entertaining. The blend of spices and ingredients creates a comforting warmth that evokes memories of family dinners, turning a simple meal into a memorable experience.

Why trust this loaded potato soup recipe from exorecipes.com? Crafted by Chef Sally and refined through rigorous testing, it’s designed to be the single best resource for home cooks seeking reliable results every time. You’ll discover our chef’s secret to achieving an extra creamy finish that sets this potato soup recipe apart from the rest. In this post, we’ll cover everything from ingredient selection and step-by-step instructions to expert tips, FAQs, and storage solutions, empowering you to create a restaurant-quality meal with ease. Dive in and elevate your soup game today!

Why This Loaded Potato Soup Recipe is a Game-Changer

The Chef’s Secret: What makes this loaded potato soup truly exceptional is our focus on an extra creamy texture, achieved by blending the soup to perfection and incorporating a generous amount of heavy cream. Unlike standard potato soup recipes, we emphasize a slow simmer and precise blending technique that emulsifies the ingredients, creating a silky-smooth base that’s irresistibly rich. This unique angle ensures your soup isn’t just hearty—it’s decadently creamy potato soup that rivals high-end diners, all from your own kitchen.

Unbeatable Texture: The science behind the texture lies in the starches from the potatoes and the fat content in the heavy cream. When you blend the cooked vegetables, the starches release and thicken the soup naturally, while the cream adds a luxurious mouthfeel. This combination prevents separation and maintains a velvety consistency, making it the ideal creamy potato soup for those who crave comfort without heaviness.

Foolproof for a Reason: This recipe has been tested multiple times to guarantee success, even for novice cooks. With straightforward steps and adjustable elements, it’s a reliable baked potato soup option that adapts to your preferences, ensuring consistent results that will impress family and friends every time.

Ingredient Spotlight: Quality Makes the Difference

Potatoes: The foundation of any great potato soup recipe, these 6 cups of peeled and diced potatoes provide the hearty base and natural creaminess. Opt for starchy varieties like Russets for the best results, as they break down easily during cooking, thickening the soup without needing extra thickeners. Quality matters because fresh, firm potatoes ensure a smoother blend; if unavailable, Yukon Golds make a solid substitution for a slightly waxy texture that holds up well.

Onion, Celery, and Carrots: These aromatics—1 cup each of chopped onion, celery, and carrots—add depth and a subtle sweetness to your loaded potato soup. The onion builds the flavor base with its pungent notes, while celery and carrots contribute crunch and nutritional balance. Always choose fresh, organic veggies for maximum flavor; if you’re short on celery, fennel can substitute for a similar anise-like taste that enhances the overall soup.

Chicken Broth: With 4 cups of chicken broth, this ingredient infuses the soup with savory umami, elevating it from ordinary to extraordinary. Use low-sodium, high-quality broth to control seasoning; homemade is ideal for the purest flavor. For a vegetarian twist on this creamy potato soup, swap it with vegetable broth to maintain the recipe’s integrity without losing depth.

Heavy Cream and Cheddar Cheese: A cup each of heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese is key to our extra creamy loaded potato soup. The cream adds richness and smoothness, while the cheese melts seamlessly for a gooey, flavorful finish. Choose full-fat cream for the best texture, and opt for sharp cheddar for bold taste—half-and-half can substitute if you’re watching calories, but it may reduce the creaminess slightly.

Bacon and Green Onions: Half a cup of cooked and crumbled bacon plus a quarter cup of chopped green onions provide the “loaded” element with smoky, crispy contrast. High-quality, thick-cut bacon renders better fat for flavor; for vegetarians, mushrooms offer a meaty alternative. Fresh green onions add a bright, peppery garnish—always use them just before serving to preserve their crunch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Vegetables and Broth

In a large pot, combine 6 cups of peeled and diced potatoes, 1 cup each of chopped onion, celery, and carrots, 4 cups of chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper. This step builds the flavorful base for your loaded potato soup.

Pro Tip: Cut the vegetables into uniform sizes for even cooking, which ensures a consistent texture in your creamy potato soup.

Step 2: Simmering the Soup

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 15-20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the potatoes to soften perfectly for your potato soup recipe.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t overboil, as it can make the potatoes mushy; stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Blending for Creaminess

Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or leave it chunky as desired. This step is crucial for achieving the extra creamy texture that defines this loaded potato soup.

Pro Tip: Blend in batches if using a regular blender to avoid splatters, ensuring safety and a silky result.

Step 4: Adding the Creamy Elements

Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the soup is creamy. This transforms your easy potato soup into a luxurious delight.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Add the cream off the heat to prevent curdling, preserving the smooth texture of your baked potato soup.

Step 5: Serving with Toppings

Serve the soup hot, topped with 1/2 cup of cooked and crumbled bacon and 1/4 cup of chopped green onions for a loaded finish.

Pro Tip: Garnish just before serving to keep toppings fresh and crunchy, enhancing the overall appeal of your creamy potato soup.

Serving & Presentation

Elevate your loaded potato soup with creative plating that turns it into a visual masterpiece. Serve in wide, shallow bowls to showcase the extra creamy texture and colorful toppings, garnishing with a sprinkle of fresh green onions, extra crumbled bacon, and a dollop of sour cream for added tang. This baked potato soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a simple green salad, making it a versatile option for a cozy weeknight dinner or an impressive starter at gatherings. For the best experience, balance the richness by serving alongside lighter fare like grilled vegetables or a side of fresh fruit, ensuring your potato soup recipe shines as the star of the meal.

Make-Ahead & Storage Solutions

Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare the vegetables and broth mixture up to 3 days in advance by chopping and storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. Assemble and cook just before serving to maintain the fresh flavors of your loaded potato soup.

Storing Leftovers: Store cooled soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months. For best results, avoid freezing if you’ve already added the cream, as it may separate upon thawing.

The Best Way to Reheat: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to restore the extra creamy texture. Add a splash of broth or cream if needed to adjust consistency, ensuring your potato soup recipe tastes as fresh as the day it was made.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)