Loaded Potato Soup
There is nothing quite as comforting as a warm bowl of creamy potato soup loaded with crispy bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and fresh green onions. This Loaded Potato Soup is rich, hearty, and packed with all the delicious flavors of a classic loaded baked potato.
Made with tender potatoes, savory onions, garlic, chicken broth, cream, and plenty of cheese, this homemade soup is the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings, family dinners, or whenever you’re craving something warm and satisfying.
The best part? It comes together with simple ingredients and can easily be customized with your favorite baked potato toppings. Whether you serve it with crusty bread or enjoy it on its own, this creamy potato soup is sure to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Loaded Potato Soup
- Rich and creamy: A smooth, velvety broth makes every spoonful delicious.
- Classic baked potato flavors: Bacon, cheddar, sour cream, and green onions bring everything together.
- Simple ingredients: You only need everyday ingredients to make this comforting meal.
- Perfect for cold days: A warm bowl makes an easy and satisfying dinner.
- Easy to customize: Add extra cheese, bacon, vegetables, or your favorite toppings.
- Great for leftovers: The soup can be refrigerated and enjoyed again.
- Family-friendly: Its familiar flavors make it a popular choice for adults and children.
What Is Loaded Potato Soup?
Loaded Potato Soup is a creamy soup inspired by a fully loaded baked potato.
Instead of serving the toppings over a baked potato, everything comes together in one delicious pot. Potatoes are simmered with onions, garlic, and broth until tender, then combined with cream, cheese, and seasonings.
Crispy bacon adds a smoky, savory flavor, while sour cream gives the soup a slight tanginess. Fresh green onions provide a bright finish.
The result is a thick, satisfying soup that tastes like your favorite loaded baked potato in a comforting bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Soup
- 2½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
For the Toppings
- 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
- Extra sour cream
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley
How to Make Loaded Potato Soup
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Peel the russet potatoes and cut them into small, evenly sized cubes.
Try to keep the pieces approximately the same size so they cook evenly.
Rinse the potatoes briefly under cold water if desired, then drain.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy.
Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and allow it to cool.
Reserve about one tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pot for extra flavor. Remove excess grease if necessary.
Crumble the bacon once it is cool enough to handle.
Step 3: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Add the butter to the pot with the reserved bacon drippings.
Add the chopped onion and cook for approximately 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Add the Potatoes and Broth
Add the diced potatoes to the pot.
Pour in the chicken broth and stir gently.
Add salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and dried parsley.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Step 5: Simmer Until Tender
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot partially.
Simmer for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Avoid boiling too aggressively because the potatoes may break apart before the flavors have fully developed.
Step 6: Mash Some of the Potatoes
Use a potato masher to mash some of the potatoes directly in the pot.
Leave plenty of potato chunks for a hearty texture.
If you prefer a smoother soup, mash more potatoes or carefully blend a portion of the soup with an immersion blender.
Step 7: Add the Creamy Ingredients
Reduce the heat to low.
Stir in the milk, heavy cream, softened cream cheese, and sour cream.
Continue stirring gently until the cream cheese has melted and the soup becomes smooth and creamy.
Avoid boiling the soup after adding the dairy.
Step 8: Add the Cheddar Cheese
Gradually stir in 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
Allow the cheese to melt completely before adding more.
For the smoothest texture, use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded cheese, which may contain anti-caking ingredients.
Step 9: Adjust the Consistency
If the soup is thicker than you prefer, add a little extra warm chicken broth or milk.
If you want a thicker soup, mash a few more potato pieces and allow the soup to simmer gently for a few minutes.
Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and seasonings.
Step 10: Serve and Add Toppings
Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls.
Top each bowl with crispy crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and a spoonful of sour cream.
Finish with freshly cracked black pepper and chopped parsley.
Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Tips for the Best Loaded Potato Soup
Choose the Right Potatoes
Russet potatoes are excellent for this recipe because their high starch content helps create a naturally thick and creamy soup.
Yukon Gold potatoes are another good choice if you prefer a buttery flavor and potatoes that hold their shape better.
Shred Your Own Cheese
Freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly than many packaged shredded cheeses.
Sharp cheddar also gives the soup a stronger, richer cheese flavor.
Don’t Boil After Adding Dairy
Once the cream, milk, and cheese are added, keep the heat low.
Boiling can cause the dairy to separate and affect the texture.
Mash Only Part of the Potatoes
For a traditional loaded potato soup texture, mash approximately one-third to one-half of the potatoes.
This creates a creamy base while keeping satisfying chunks throughout the soup.
Cook the Bacon Until Crispy
Crispy bacon provides a wonderful contrast to the soft potatoes and creamy broth.
Add most of it just before serving so it stays crunchy.
Season Gradually
Bacon, chicken broth, and cheddar cheese can already contain salt. Taste the soup before adding additional seasoning.
Easy Variations
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Bake the potatoes first, scoop out the flesh, and add it to the prepared creamy broth. Finish with the classic bacon, cheese, sour cream, and green onion toppings.
Extra Cheesy Potato Soup
Add another ½ cup of shredded cheddar or a little Monterey Jack cheese for an even richer flavor.
Broccoli Cheddar Potato Soup
Stir in small broccoli florets during the final 8–10 minutes of cooking. Add extra cheddar cheese for a delicious broccoli and potato combination.
Spicy Loaded Potato Soup
Add crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños for a little heat.
Chicken Loaded Potato Soup
Add 1–2 cups of cooked shredded chicken for extra protein and an even heartier meal.
Vegetarian Loaded Potato Soup
Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth and leave out the bacon. For a smoky flavor, add a little smoked paprika.
Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup
Add the potatoes, onion, garlic, seasonings, and broth to a slow cooker.
Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
Mash some of the potatoes, then stir in the cream, cream cheese, milk, and cheddar near the end. Cook on LOW until heated through and creamy. Add crispy bacon and fresh toppings just before serving.
What to Serve With Loaded Potato Soup
This soup is filling enough to serve as a complete meal, but pairing it with a simple side makes dinner even better.
Here are some delicious serving ideas:
- Garlic bread
- Warm dinner rolls
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
- Crusty French bread
- Caesar salad
- Fresh garden salad
- Roasted broccoli
- Garlic green beans
- Cornbread
- Grilled chicken sandwiches
For a cozy family dinner, serve the soup with warm garlic bread and a fresh green salad.
How to Store Leftover Potato Soup
Allow the soup to cool slightly before transferring it into airtight containers.
Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking and store for 3–4 days.
When reheating, place the soup in a saucepan over low to medium-low heat.
Stir frequently and add a splash of milk or chicken broth if it has become too thick.
Avoid boiling the soup, especially because it contains cream and cheese.
You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave using short intervals, stirring between each interval until heated throughout.
Can You Freeze Loaded Potato Soup?
This soup can be frozen, but cream-based potato soups may change texture after thawing. The dairy can separate, and the potatoes may become slightly grainy.
For better results, consider preparing and freezing the potato and broth base before adding the cream, cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar.
To freeze:
- Prepare the soup base with potatoes, onions, garlic, seasonings, and broth.
- Allow it to cool completely.
- Transfer it to freezer-safe containers.
- Leave a little room at the top for expansion.
- Label and freeze for up to 2–3 months for best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat gently in a saucepan, then add the dairy and cheese while stirring until creamy.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare several ingredients ahead of time to make dinner easier.
- Peel and dice the potatoes shortly before cooking, or keep them submerged in cold water in the refrigerator for a few hours.
- Chop the onion and garlic and refrigerate separately.
- Cook and crumble the bacon ahead of time.
- Shred the cheddar cheese and store it in an airtight container.
For the best texture, add the dairy and cheese shortly before serving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Cutting the Potatoes Unevenly
Large pieces take longer to cook, while very small pieces may fall apart. Cut the potatoes into evenly sized cubes.
Adding Cheese Over High Heat
High heat can cause cheese to become grainy. Reduce the heat before stirring in the cheddar.
Making the Soup Too Thin
If the soup is watery, mash more potatoes or simmer gently before adding the dairy.
Over-Mashing the Potatoes
Blending all the potatoes can make the soup overly smooth and sometimes gluey. Leave some chunks for texture.
Adding Bacon Too Early
Bacon can lose its crispness when simmered in the soup. Save most of it for the topping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best potatoes for loaded potato soup?
Russet potatoes are a great choice because they soften easily and help thicken the soup. Yukon Gold potatoes also work well and have a naturally buttery flavor.
Can I make loaded potato soup without heavy cream?
Yes. You can use whole milk instead, although the soup may be slightly less rich. You can also add a little extra cream cheese for thickness.
How do I make potato soup thicker?
Mash some of the cooked potatoes directly into the soup. You can also simmer it gently before adding the dairy to reduce excess liquid.
Can I use pre-cooked bacon?
Yes. Cooked bacon pieces work well. Add them toward the end or use them as a topping.
Can I make this soup without cream cheese?
Absolutely. The cream cheese adds richness, but you can omit it or replace it with additional heavy cream and cheddar.
Why did my potato soup become grainy?
This can happen if the soup boils after adding dairy or cheese, or if the cheese does not melt smoothly. Keep the heat low and add cheese gradually.
Can I leave the potato skins on?
Yes. Yukon Gold and red potatoes have relatively thin skins that can be left on after washing. Russet skins are thicker, so peeling is generally recommended for this recipe.
Is loaded potato soup a complete meal?
Yes. Potatoes, bacon, cheese, and dairy make it filling. You can add cooked chicken or serve it with a salad or bread for a more substantial dinner.
Recipe Card
Loaded Potato Soup
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Soup, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Method: Stovetop
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
- Extra cheddar and sour cream for topping
Instructions
- Peel and dice the potatoes into evenly sized cubes.
- Cook the bacon in a large pot until crispy. Remove and crumble.
- Add butter and sauté the onion for 4–5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add potatoes, chicken broth, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and parsley.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat.
- Simmer for 15–20 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Mash some of the potatoes to thicken the soup.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in milk, heavy cream, cream cheese, and sour cream.
- Gradually add cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
- Adjust the consistency with additional broth or milk if needed.
- Serve hot with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions, and extra sour cream.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional values depend on the type of potatoes, bacon, cheese, cream, and serving size used.
For accurate nutrition information, calculate the recipe using the specific ingredients and brands in your kitchen.
Final Thoughts
This Loaded Potato Soup is everything a comforting homemade soup should be: creamy, hearty, cheesy, and full of delicious flavor.
Tender potatoes create a rich base, while crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, sour cream, and green onions bring the classic loaded baked potato experience to every bowl.
It’s an easy recipe to prepare for family dinners, cold evenings, or meal prep throughout the week.
Make a big pot, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy a warm bowl of homemade comfort food!