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Loaded Potato Soup

A silky-smooth cheese soup with hunks of red potato topped with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese and green onions.
5 from 3 votes
Course Dinner

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4-1/3 c rendered bacon fat
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 lbs red potatoes fourthed
  • 64 oz chicken stock (2 cartons)
  • 1 tbsp better than bouillon chicken base heaping
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 3/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 16 oz Velveeta cubed
  • 8 oz cheddar cheese shredded, divided

Thickener

  • 4 tbsp salted butter
  • 1/3 c flour
  • 1 1/2 c half and half

Instructions
 

  • Wash and dice potatoes. Set aside.
  • Cook the bacon in a pot over medium heat until crispy, dry on paper towels and save the bacon fat.
  • Wipe out the pot and remove any burnt bacon bits.
  • Add 1/4-1/3 c rendered bacon fat back to the pot over medium heat. You can start with 1/4 c of fat and add more if needed.
  • Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Add chicken stock, better than bouillon chicken base, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
  • Add the potatoes to the boiling chicken stock. Once the water re-reaches a low boil, set a timer for 10 minutes.
  • While the potatoes cook make the thickener in a separate pot. Over medium heat melt butter then add flour and whisk for one minute. Pour in half and half and continue whisking until it becomes thick.
  • Whisk the thickener into the soup and work out any lumps. Turn heat to high and once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium and allow to thicken, covered, for 7 minutes.
  • Add Velveeta and half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the pot and mix until melted. Allow to simmer for 5 more minutes.
  • If potatoes are still fully formed, smash them against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon to help break them up. Stir.
  • Serve and top with the cooked bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions.
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