The Best Creamy Potato Soup Recipe

I whipped up Creamy Potato Soup that quickly became my favorite comfort dish. Tantalizing bacon, hearty potatoes and aromatic garlic combine with silky chicken broth and cream for a delicious balance of flavors. A sprinkle of cheddar adds an extra layer of indulgence that makes every spoonful satisfying and irresistible.

I recently made The Best Creamy Potato Soup and it totally blew my mind. I started frying 6 slices of bacon until they turned perfectly crispy, then tossed them into a pot with a medium diced onion and 3 crushed garlic cloves.

Adding 2 lbs of peeled and cubed potatoes, I poured in 4 cups of chicken broth (I usually go with low sodium for extra flavor) and let everything simmer nicely. Once the potatoes softened, I stirred in 1 cup of heavy cream to get that rich, velvety texture.

I also like tossing in some shredded cheddar cheese if I’m feeling fancy and topping it off with chopped green onions. This loaded potato soup recipe is one of the best homemade creations I’ve ever whipped up fast on the stovetop.

To me, its simple yet satisfying twist on a classic fall soup recipe makes it a must-try for any kitchen adventurer.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this creamy potato soup recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, it’s super easy to make. I don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen and that makes it perfect for busy days. Second, the bacon gives it an amazing rich flavor that just reminds me of a homemade meal, and who doesn’t love bacon? Lastly, I like that I can tweak it a bit each time I make it. Sometimes I mash a few of the potatoes right in the pot to thicken the soup even more or add extra cheddar cheese when I’m feeling extra hungry. Overall, its a comfort food that warms me up on chilly days and always leaves me wanting more.

Ingredients

• Bacon: This crispy bit adds protein and rich smoky flavor to the hearty soup.
• Potatoes: They provide good starchy carbs, making the soup filling and satisfying.
• Onion: Offers a mild sweetness and depth, perfect for a homemade savory taste.
• Garlic: Brings a slight kick with flavor and loads of healthful benefits.
• Heavy Cream: Gives extra creaminess and a rich texture to every spoonful.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a light savory base that ties the flavours together nicely.

Ingredient Quantities

• 6 slices bacon, chopped into small bits
• 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
• 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium if you want extra flavor)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Optional: Chopped green onions for garnish

How to Make this

1. In a large pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until it gets nice and crispy. Take out the bacon bits and set them aside on a paper towel, but leave some of the bacon fat in the pot.

2. Throw in the diced onion and minced garlic into the pot and sauté for about 3 minutes until they soften up.

3. Add the cubed potatoes to the pot along with the 4 cups of chicken broth. Stir everything together and bring it to a boil.

4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for around 20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

5. For a thicker soup, you can mash a few of the potatoes right in the pot after they are tender.

6. Pour in the heavy cream and stir it in slowly. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste while letting it heat through a little more.

7. If you want extra cheesy goodness, mix in the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until it melts completely.

8. Give the soup a good taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

9. Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with the reserved crispy bacon bits.

10. Finally, sprinkle chopped green onions on top for a bit of color and extra flavor. Enjoy your homemade creamy potato soup!

Equipment Needed

1. A large pot – you’ll use this to cook the bacon, simmer the potatoes and mix in all the ingredients.
2. A chef’s knife – for chopping the bacon, dicing the onion, and mincing the garlic and green onions.
3. A cutting board – to safely chop and prep all your ingredients.
4. Measuring cups – needed to measure out the chicken broth and heavy cream accurately.
5. A stirring spoon or spatula – for stirring the ingredients and making sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.
6. A ladle – to serve the soup into bowls once its ready.
7. Paper towels – to drain the crispy bacon pieces after cooking them.
8. Bowls – for serving the finished soup.

FAQ

The Best Creamy Potato Soup Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of bacon you might use turkey bacon or even ham for a different but tasty twist
• If you don’t have regular potatoes, sweet potatoes works well too and gives it a nice sweetness
• Use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth if you’re looking for a lighter flavor
• If heavy cream is too heavy, try coconut milk or even sour cream for a tangy kick
• For the cheddar cheese, pepper jack or mozzarella can be used if you’re in the mood for a different flavor profile

Pro Tips

1. You might wanna let a bit more of that bacon fat stay in the pot when you cook the onions and garlic because it really adds a rich, smoky flavor to the soup.
2. When you’re pouring in the heavy cream and stirring in the cheese, do it slowly so the cream doesn’t curdle, which can really mess up the texture.
3. Mash just a few of the potatoes instead of all of them so you end up with a mix of smooth creaminess and chunky bits which makes the soup more interesting.
4. If you can, choose a good quality chicken broth because even a low sodium one can bring an extra depth of flavor that makes the whole dish taste way better.