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Warm up with this creamy Loaded Baked Potato Soup made with tender potatoes, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions. The ultimate comfort food!

Creamy, Cheesy Comfort Food in Every Spoonful

Some recipes are passed down through generations. Others are born on an ordinary afternoon when you open the refrigerator, gather what you have on hand, and hope for the best.

This Loaded Baked Potato Soup falls into the second category.

I made it while battling an upper respiratory infection and craving something warm, creamy, and comforting. A bag of russet potatoes, a carton of chicken broth, a little cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and green onions turned into one of the richest, most satisfying bowls of soup I’ve made in a long time.

Growing up, potato soup meant something completely different.

My mother’s potato soup was a simple broth-based soup with tender potatoes and homemade rivels—tiny egg-and-flour dumplings that cooked right in the pot. There wasn’t any cheese, bacon, or heavy cream. It was thinner, lighter, and every bit as comforting in its own way.

This recipe isn’t meant to replace Mama’s version. It simply gives me another option when I’m craving something hearty and loaded with all of the flavors of a baked potato.

If you love creamy soups topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions, I think you’re going to love this one.

Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a glance at what you’re going to need to make this soup. These are simple ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. (I did!)

For the Soup

• 6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (32-ounce) carton chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4-6 slices Velveeta (optional, for extra creaminess)
• ½ package real bacon crumbles (about 5 ounces), divided
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Note: So, here’s the story on the cheese: I was low on shredded cheddar, which is why I reached for sliced cheese. I will admit that Velveeta melts beautifully, so I’m not sorry I did it. It added a creaminess to the soup that doesn’t come from grated cheeses.

Garnishes

• Remaining bacon crumbles
• Additional shredded cheddar
• Green onions, sliced
• Sour cream (optional)

How to Make Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Heat the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.

Add the diced potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are fork tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the softened cream cheese until completely melted.

Add the heavy cream, shredded cheddar, and Velveeta (if using). Stir until smooth and creamy. I used a whisk to work the cream cheese in. This broke down about half of the potatoes, which is what you want. Just be sure to leave some chunks.

Stir in half of the bacon crumbles.

Season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Ladle into bowls and garnish with additional cheddar, bacon, sliced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk if the soup has thickened.

What to Expect from this Soup

I love a good baked potato soup and this one just soared to the top of my list. Funny, because I literally made up the recipe based on things I happened to have in my house. I wasn’t sure at first about the chicken broth. In the end, I was a convert! Same thing about the onions. Sauteeing them first broke them down and they added the most delicious flavor.

Was I sorry about the Velveeta? Nope. As I mentioned above, I don’t mind a little Velveeta on occasion and this was just such an occasion. So, I suppose it was kind of a happy mistake that I didn’t have much grated cheddar on hand.

The bacon bits were amazing in this soup, and so were the green onions. This recipe is absolutely a keeper, one i will refer to from now on. (My mama’s will always have a huge piece of my heart, but this one is definitely worth serving!)

If you love a good baked potato you’re going to flip over this creamy soup.

Variations

I loved this soup just as it was, but I also love changing things up from time to time. Here are some things to consider:

Add sour cream: A good baked potato always has a dollop of sour cream on top, right? This soup would have been delicious with a spoonful of sour cream added.

Make it chunkier. Reserve a portion of the cooked potatoes before lightly mashing the rest, then stir the reserved potatoes back into the soup before serving.

Add brisket in place of bacon bits (or along with the bacon bits): If you love a loaded baked potato, one with meat on top, this would certainly give you that vibe! Add a handful of our delicious Texas brisket, shredded. (Yum!)

Skip the Velveeta. The soup is still delicious made with all cheddar cheese.

Add extra toppings. Crispy fried onions, chopped chives, or a sprinkle of smoked paprika are all wonderful additions.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Cozy Comfort Food

If hearty comfort food is your love language, be sure to check out these reader favorites:

• Creamy Italian Sausage & Tortellini Soup
• Smoky Texas Chili
• Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
• Texas Corn Chowder (aka Cowboy Chowder)
• Chicken and Dumplings (coming soon!)

That’s it for this post, friends!

Thanks for stopping by. When you make this soup we would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or review. And before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

About the Author

This recipe was created by the Backyard Texas Grill Team, a family of passionate home cooks who believe the best meals are the ones shared around the table. From smoked barbecue and Tex-Mex favorites to Southern comfort food and family recipes, our goal is to help you create delicious, approachable dishes that bring people together. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just gathering your family for supper, we’re glad you’re here.