Loaded Potato Soup

Loaded Potato Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that’s perfect for chilly days. It’s packed with flavor from crispy bacon, creamy potatoes, savory ham, and tangy sour cream. Topped with melted cheese and fresh green onions, it’s a satisfying meal on its own or served with crusty bread for dipping.

Loaded Potato Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 package (12 oz) bacon
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
• 6 cups chicken broth (from two 32-oz cartons)
• 2 lb baking potatoes, peeled, cubed
• 2/3 cup butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup diced cooked ham
• 1 container (8 oz) sour cream
• 2 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (10 oz)
• 3/4 cup sliced green onions

Instructions:

1. In a 12-inch skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat for 6 to 7 minutes until crisp. Drain on paper towels, then crumble and set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of drippings in the skillet. Cook the chopped onion in the bacon drippings over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes, or until almost tender.
2. In a 6-quart Dutch oven, combine the cooked onion, chicken broth, and cubed potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until the potatoes are very tender.
3. Meanwhile, in the same skillet used for cooking the onion, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the flour with a whisk until smooth. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Gradually stir in 2 cups of the milk. Pour the milk mixture into the potato mixture. Add the remaining 2 cups of milk, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the mixture is thickened and bubbly.
4. Stir in the diced ham, half of the crumbled bacon, sour cream, 2 cups of shredded cheese, and 1/2 cup of sliced green onions. Cook until thoroughly heated and the cheese is melted.
5. Serve: Evenly top individual servings with the remaining crumbled bacon, 1/2 cup of shredded cheese, and 1/4 cup of sliced green onions.

Tips:

• For extra flavor, use a combination of bacon and ham in the soup.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences. You can add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Be sure to simmer the potatoes until they are very tender to ensure a creamy texture.
• Garnish each serving with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a beautiful presentation.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving.