The Coziest Easy Baked Potato Soup Recipe For Chilly Evenings

Creamy potato soup brings comfort on chilly days when warmth matters most.

Hearty ingredients transform simple potatoes into a delightful culinary experience.

Chunky potato pieces swim in a rich, velvety broth that promises satisfaction.

Kitchen novices and seasoned cooks alike can master this straightforward recipe.

Minimal prep work means you’ll have a delicious meal ready in under an hour.

Fragrant herbs and subtle seasonings add depth to each spoonful.

Ladle this soul-warming soup into bowls and watch everyone smile with pure contentment.

Easy Baked Potato Soup: Quick and Creamy

• Whip Up Comfort: Dive into a bowl of warm, creamy goodness that hugs your taste buds with rich, homemade flavor.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add toppings to make this soup uniquely yours, perfect for picky eaters or adventurous cooks.
• Speed Through Preparation: Quickly transform simple ingredients into a satisfying meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Use affordable pantry staples to create a hearty soup that feeds a crowd without breaking the bank.

Ingredients for Baked Potato Soup

• Potatoes: Hearty starch that provides the soup's signature texture and flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Essential liquid base that adds depth and richness to the soup.
• Milk or Cream: Creates a smooth and creamy consistency for the soup.

• Butter, Onions, Garlic: Classic aromatic combination that builds a robust flavor foundation.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts beautifully and adds a tangy, creamy element.
• Crumbled Bacon: Provides a smoky, salty crunch to complement the soup's creamy base.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that balance and highlight the soup's flavors.
• Sour Cream, Chives: Fresh toppings that add a cool, bright finish to the warm soup.

How to Prepare Baked Potato Soup

Step 1: Prepare Flavor Base

In a spacious cooking pot, gently melt butter over medium heat.

Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic, stirring and cooking until they become soft and translucent, releasing their aromatic flavors.

Step 2: Create Soup Foundation

Incorporate diced baked potatoes and rich chicken broth into the pot.

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then lower the heat and allow the soup to simmer peacefully for approximately 10 minutes, letting the ingredients meld together.

Step 3: Develop Creamy Texture

Use a potato masher to gently crush some of the potatoes directly in the soup.

This technique creates a wonderfully thick and hearty consistency that makes the soup extra satisfying.

Step 4: Enrich and Customize

• Whole milk or heavy cream
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Crispy crumbled bacon

Continue cooking until the cheese melts completely and the soup reaches a luxuriously smooth and creamy state.

Step 5: Final Seasoning and Serving

Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with a dollop of cool sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives for a beautiful finishing touch.

Pro Tips for Baked Potato Soup

• Choose starchy russet potatoes for the creamiest soup texture.
• Leave some potato chunks for a rustic, hearty feel while partially mashing others for thickness.
• Crisp bacon separately to maintain its crunch, then sprinkle on top just before serving for maximum flavor and texture.
• Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version, or use plant-based alternatives for a vegan adaptation.
• Enhance the soup with extra toppings like green onions, roasted garlic, or a dash of smoked paprika for depth.

Variations for Baked Potato Soup

• Vegetarian Potato Soup: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit bacon. Add roasted cauliflower or mushrooms for extra protein and depth of flavor.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut milk instead of dairy milk and nutritional yeast instead of cheese. Top with dairy-free sour cream alternative and chopped green onions.
• Spicy Mexican-Style Soup: Add diced green chilies, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Garnish with jalapeños, cilantro, and pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower. Use heavy cream, keep cheese and bacon, and add extra herbs like thyme or rosemary for rich flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Baked Potato Soup

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this hearty soup in deep ceramic mugs or rustic bowls for a warm, inviting presentation that feels like a hug.
• Bacon Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra crispy bacon bits on top, creating a crunchy texture contrast with the creamy soup base.
• Chive and Cheese Explosion: Add a generous handful of fresh chopped chives and additional shredded cheddar cheese for a burst of color and flavor that elevates the soup's richness.
• Bread Companion: Pair with crusty sourdough bread or garlic toast on the side, perfect for dipping and soaking up every delicious spoonful.

Storage Tips for Baked Potato Soup

• Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months. Avoid freezing soup with cream or sour cream as it may separate.
• Place soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even warming and prevent hot spots.
• Reheat soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk to restore creamy consistency if needed. Avoid boiling to prevent separation of dairy ingredients.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of potatoes for this soup?

Yes, you can use Russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes. Each type will give a slightly different texture and flavor to the soup.

• Is it necessary to bake the potatoes first?

Baking the potatoes adds a deeper, richer flavor compared to boiling. If you’re short on time, you can boil or microwave the potatoes instead.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and use plant-based bacon or omit bacon altogether. Replace dairy cheese with a vegan cheese alternative.

• How can I make the soup healthier?

Use low-fat milk, reduce cheese quantity, add more vegetables like carrots or celery, and use turkey bacon or skip bacon for a lighter version.

Easy Baked Potato Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty potato soup with creamy goodness blends rustic comfort and elegant simplicity. Home cooks can savor rich flavors that warm hearts and satisfy hunger with minimal kitchen effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes, baked and diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 12 cups milk or cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Protein and Flavor Enhancers:

• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sour cream and chives for garnish

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Instructions

1. Heat a robust pot over medium temperature, gently dissolving butter until it shimmers with golden warmth.
2. Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and aromatic, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Fold in pre-baked potato chunks and pour chicken broth, elevating heat to generate a gentle boil, then immediately reduce to a soft simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Utilize a potato masher to strategically crush some potato pieces, creating a luxurious textural landscape within the liquid base.
5. Incorporate dairy components – milk or cream – along with sharp cheddar cheese and crispy bacon fragments, stirring continuously until cheese melts completely and soup achieves a velvety consistency.
6. Calibrate flavor profile by seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, tasting and adjusting as needed.
7. Ladle into warm serving bowls, embellishing with a dollop of tangy sour cream and delicate chive snippets for visual and gustatory appeal.

Notes

• Customize the texture by adjusting how much you mash the potatoes, creating a chunky or smooth soup based on personal preference.
• Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, ensuring the same rich flavor profile.
• Reduce calories by using low-fat milk and less cheese, without compromising the soup’s creamy consistency.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyère or smoked Gouda to add unique depth and complexity to the classic recipe.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 290 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg