The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup: Easy Dinner!

Introduction

Have you ever wondered why some restaurant soups feel like a warm hug while most home versions fall a bit flat? I still remember standing in my grandmothers kitchen as a young boy when she taught me that the secret to a world class meal isn’t just the salt but the soul you put into the pot. Today I am sharing my absolute pride and joy the recipe for The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup. This isn’t just a meal it is a bowl full of memories and comfort designed to bring your family together around the dinner table.

I have spent years perfecting this balance of creamy texture and bold savory flavors. As a home cook and a dad to Adams and Jana I know how important it is to have a recipe that is both indulgent and practical. Whether you are coming in from a snowy afternoon or just need a win after a long workday this soup delivers every single time. It is thick velvety and piled high with all the fixings that make a baked potato great. Let us grab our aprons and dive into why this specific version stands out from the rest.

Why You’ll Love This The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup

There are a million potato soup recipes out there but here is why my family calls this one the gold standard:

• Ultra Creamy Texture: We use a specific blending technique that ensures every spoonful is smooth while still keeping those hearty chunks of potato we all love.
• Budget Friendly Ingredients: You likely have almost everything you need in your pantry and crisper drawer right now making this an affordable way to feed a crowd.
• Completely Customizable: Whether your kids hate onions or your spouse wants extra spice this base is the perfect canvas for everyone’s favorite toppings.
• Better Than a Restaurant: By controlling the quality of the bacon and the sharpness of the cheddar you get a much richer flavor than any chain restaurant could offer.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together in the fridge.

Ingredients for The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup

To create this masterpiece you will need a few staples. I always recommend using Russet potatoes for their high starch content which helps naturally thicken the soup.

• 6 large Russet potatoes peeled and cubed
• 1 pound of thick cut bacon chopped
• 1 large yellow onion finely diced
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 1/4 cup of all purpose flour
• 2 cups of heavy cream or whole milk
• 4 cups of high quality chicken broth
• 2 cups of sharp shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup of sour cream
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Green onions or chives for garnish

For those looking for a lighter twist you can explore our creamy veggie pot pie soup recipe guide which offers a similar comfort with more garden vegetables.

How to Make The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup

Step by Step Instructions

1. Crisp the Bacon: In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it is perfectly golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon bits and set them aside on a paper towel but keep that delicious bacon grease in the pot.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Add your diced onions to the bacon fat and cook until they are translucent and soft. In the last minute of sautéing add the minced garlic. The smell in your kitchen at this moment will be heavenly.
3. Create the Base: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic stirring constantly for about a minute. This creates a roux that will thicken our soup perfectly. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking to ensure there are no lumps.
4. Simmer the Potatoes: Add the cubed potatoes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
5. The Creamy Finish: Use a potato masher to crush about half of the potatoes directly in the pot. This gives us that thick texture without losing the hearty chunks. Stir in the heavy cream and sour cream.
6. Cheese and Seasoning: Turn the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Season generously with salt and pepper. Remember that potatoes soak up a lot of salt so do not be afraid to taste and adjust.

Pro Tips & Variations

To really master The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup keep these professional home cook tips in mind. First always shred your own cheese from a block. Pre shredded cheese is coated in potato starch to prevent clumping which can make your soup feel grainy rather than silky.

If you want a different flavor profile try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to the base. For a variation that incorporates more texture you might enjoy looking at this chicken and dumpling soup easy comfort food recipe which uses similar simmering techniques. For those who enjoy a bit of a kick you can find inspiration in this loaded baked potato soup recipe from Delish.

For a vegetarian version simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and use a high quality smoked salt to replace the flavor of the bacon. You can also add broccoli florets during the last 5 minutes of simmering for a boost of green color and nutrients.

Serving Suggestions

While this soup is a meal on its own I love serving it with a side of crusty sourdough bread to soak up every last drop. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a nice acidic balance to the richness of the cream and cheese. If you are hosting a gathering consider setting up a toppings bar with extra bacon bits sour cream sliced jalapenos and plenty of chives so your guests can load their bowls exactly how they like them.

Storage & Reheating for The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup

This soup stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it in an airtight container to maintain freshness. When you are ready to eat again reheat it on the stovetop over low heat. You may find that the soup has thickened significantly in the fridge. Simply splash in a little extra milk or broth to loosen it back up to your desired consistency.

I do not recommend freezing this soup because the dairy and potatoes can change texture when thawed often becoming grainy or separated. It is best enjoyed fresh or within a few days of cooking.

FAQ about The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup

Can I use red potatoes instead of Russets?
Yes you can. Red potatoes have less starch so the soup will be a bit thinner but the skins are thin enough that you can leave them on for extra color and texture.

How do I make the soup even thicker?
If the roux and mashing don’t get it thick enough for your liking you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little cold milk and stir it into the simmering soup.

Is this recipe gluten free?
As written it contains flour. To make it gluten free simply use a gluten free all purpose flour blend or thicken the soup solely by mashing more of the potatoes.

Final Thoughts on The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup

Cooking is about making people happy and I truly believe this bowl of soup is a shortcut to a smile. I hope The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup becomes a new staple in your household just as it has in mine. If you loved this recipe please save it to your favorite Pinterest board and leave a comment below telling me about your favorite toppings. Do not forget to subscribe to the Mister Recipes newsletter for more family favorites delivered straight to your inbox. Let us keep making memories one meal at a time. Grab your apron and let us get cooking.

Benjamin

The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup

This ultra-creamy, loaded potato soup is a comforting bowl of goodness that brings families together. Perfect for snowy afternoons or long workdays, it's packed with rich flavors and customizable toppings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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Ingredients

• 6 large Russet potatoes peeled and cubed
• 1 pound thick-cut bacon chopped
• 1 large yellow onion finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups heavy cream or whole milk
• 4 cups high-quality chicken broth
• 2 cups sharp shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Green onions or chives for garnish

Equipment

• Large Dutch oven or heavy pot
• Slotted spoon,
• Potato Masher

Method

 

Step by Step Instructions

1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it is perfectly golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon bits and set them aside on a paper towel, but keep the delicious bacon grease in the pot.
2. Add your diced onions to the bacon fat and cook until they are translucent and soft. In the last minute of sautéing, add the minced garlic. The smell in your kitchen at this moment will be heavenly.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic, stirring constantly for about a minute. This creates a roux that will thicken our soup perfectly. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking to ensure there are no lumps.
4. Add the cubed potatoes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
5. Use a potato masher to crush about half of the potatoes directly in the pot. This gives us that thick texture without losing the hearty chunks. Stir in the heavy cream and sour cream.
6. Turn the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Season generously with salt and pepper. Remember that potatoes soak up a lot of salt, so do not be afraid to taste and adjust.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 15gFat: 25g

Notes

To really master The Best Homemade Loaded Potato Soup, keep these professional home cook tips in mind. First, always shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in potato starch to prevent clumping, which can make your soup feel grainy rather than silky. If you want a different flavor profile, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to the base. For a variation that incorporates more texture, you might enjoy looking at this chicken and dumpling soup easy comfort food recipe which uses similar simmering techniques. For those who enjoy a bit of a kick, you can find inspiration in this loaded baked potato soup recipe from Delish. For a vegetarian version, simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and use a high-quality smoked salt to replace the flavor of the bacon. You can also add broccoli florets during the last 5 minutes of simmering for a boost of green color and nutrients.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!