Description
Creamy cheesy potato soup delivers comfort in a bowl, perfect for chilly evenings. Rich wisconsin cheddar and tender potatoes create a hearty meal you’ll savor down to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
- 6–8 slices bacon, diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
Seasoning and Thickening Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 1 tablespoon of rendered fat in the pot.
- Melt butter in the same pot and sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux. Cook for 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour chicken broth into the pot, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add diced potatoes and increase heat to bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat and let potatoes cook until fork-tender, about 15-18 minutes. Gently mash some potatoes against the pot’s side to thicken the soup naturally.
- Pour heavy cream and milk into the pot, stirring to integrate. Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until completely melted and soup becomes silky.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with reserved crispy bacon bits, additional cheese, chopped chives, and a dollop of sour cream for extra richness.
Notes
- Bacon Selection: Choose thick-cut bacon for deeper flavor and better texture, which adds more richness to the soup’s overall taste.
- Potato Tip: Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for a creamier, more velvety soup consistency.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
- Vegetarian Alternative: Swap bacon for smoked paprika and use vegetable broth to create a plant-based version that maintains a similar smoky depth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 474 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg