Loaded Baked Potato Soup: Creamy, Cheesy, and Comforting

When the weather is cold, nothing can make you feel warmer than a steaming bowl of loaded baked potato soup. It’s the kind of dish that feels like home, wrapping you up in warmth and comfort with every spoonful. Unlike a simple baked potato soup, this version is extra rich and creamy, loaded with cheesy goodness and savoury bacon that make it impossible to resist.

What sets this recipe apart is how indulgently smooth and flavourful it is. The potatoes are cooked to perfection, blended into a velvety base, and paired with melted cheese and crispy bacon for that perfect balance of creaminess and texture. Whether you’re after a cozy weeknight dinner or a standout addition to your line-up of comfort food soup recipes, this creamy potato soup is guaranteed to hit the spot.

Ingredients Overview

To make the best loaded baked potato soup, you need to divide the ingredients into a few easy groups. This way, everything feels organized, and the cooking steps become much simpler and enjoyable to follow.

Base: 

The main ingredient of this soup is tender potatoes, enriched with butter, flour, and a mix of broth and cream/milk. This combination creates the smooth, velvety texture that makes this creamy potato soup so comforting and delicious.

Flavour:

Onions and garlic add a very different flavour, while cheese and crispy bacon bring that classic potato bacon soup taste to your meal. These ingredients turn a simple baked potato soup into something that you will crave to eat every day.

Toppings: 

Toppings are the most fun part. You can top your soup with sour cream, shredded cheddar, chopped green onions, and bacon crumbles for the full loaded potato soup recipe experience. Each bite will have layers of flavour and texture that make it feel incredibly delicious.

Optional add-ins:

If you want to get creative and prepare an individual meal, carrots, celery, or a few seasoning combinations can add an extra flavour to your soup. This flexibility makes it one of the coziest and most adaptable comfort food soup recipes for any occasion.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the bacon to perfection - take a large pot or skillet and start cooking over medium heat. Cook slowly, so it gets nice and crispy without burning. Once you see that it has a golden brown colour, take the bacon and put it on a paper towel to drain. When it’s cool, crumble it into small pieces. Keep a little bit of the bacon fat in the pot, as it adds a lot of extra flavour to your soup.
   
   

2. Make the roux and creamy base - in the same pot, melt the butter and stir in the flour to make a smooth paste, which is called a roux. This will help you thicken your soup. Then slowly pour in the broth and cream/milk, and stir constantly so no lumps can form. Soon, you’ll have a rich, creamy base that will give your soup that velvety and comforting texture everyone craves.
   
   

3. Cook the potatoes to the perfect softness - add your diced potatoes to the pot and let them simmer until tender. They should be soft enough to mash with a spoon but still hold their shape. It’s one of the important steps to get the potatoes just right because it makes this soup feel homemade, the kind you want on a cold evening.
   
   

4. Blend for your favourite texture - now it’s time to decide how smooth or chunky you want your soup.
   

• For a creamy soup, mash some of the potatoes in the pot or use an immersion blender to create a smooth and velvety finish.

• For a chunkier soup, you can mash only a few potatoes and leave the rest in pieces. 

This lets you make the soup exactly the way you like it and the texture you want to get, whether silky smooth or a little chunky for texture.

5. Bring everything together and simmer - stir in the cheese, most of the crumbled bacon, and any extra seasonings you like. Let the soup simmer for a few minutes so all the flavours blend perfectly. Taste your creation and adjust as needed. Once it’s thick, creamy, and full of flavour
   
   

Expert Tips for the Best Potato Soup

Choose the right potatoes

The potatoes you use make a big difference in both flavour and texture. Russet potatoes break down easily and give you a naturally thicker, creamier soup. If you prefer a smoother texture, they’re the best choice. Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape a little more and add a buttery taste, which is great if you like a chunkier soup with soft and tender pieces. You can even mix both for the best result.

How to prevent a grainy or watery soup

A grainy soup usually is the result of overcooking the potatoes or using cheese that doesn’t melt as needed. You need to make sure your potatoes simmer gently instead of boiling hard, and add the cheese slowly with low heat so it can melt evenly. To avoid a watery soup, always measure your liquids carefully and let the soup simmer long enough for it to naturally get the texture you want.

Ways to thicken without flour

If you don’t want to use flour, there are easy ways to get a thick and cozy texture. You can mash some of the cooked potatoes directly in the pot, or blend a small portion of the soup and return it to back in. Adding a bit of instant mashed potato flakes is another simple trick that works surprisingly well. 

Keep dairy from curdling

Curdling usually happens when dairy meets high heat. To avoid this, lower the heat before adding milk, cream, or cheese. Add dairy slowly and stir gently as it warms up. Once everything is mixed, keep the soup on low heat and avoid boiling it again. This keeps the soup silky, creamy, and perfectly smooth.

Variations

If you love making hearty soups for winter, this recipe will help you prepare one and even explain how to customize it. Here are a versions to switch things up regarding your needs, ingredients, or cooking style:

Loaded Baked Potato Soup Without Bacon

If you want a version without meat, don’t use bacon and replace its flavour with something smoky. A little smoked paprika or some liquid smoke can give your soup that same cozy vibe. You can also add extra veggies like mushrooms or carrots for a more delicious flavour.

Gluten-Free Version

To make gluten-free easy potato soup is very simple. Instead of using flour for the roux, thicken the soup by mashing some of the cooked potatoes or blending a portion and adding it back in. Just check that your broth and packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Dairy-Free or Lighter Option

For a lighter or dairy-free potato soup, use unsweetened almond, coconut, or oat milk instead of cream. To keep it creamy without dairy, blend some of the potatoes or mix in a spoonful of nutritional yeast for a mild cheesy flavour.

Slow Cooker Version

If you want a hands-off method, add potatoes, onions, garlic, broth, and seasonings to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4. When the potatoes are soft, mash some of them, then stir in the milk or cream during the last 20-30 minutes. Don’t forget to add your toppings before serving.

Instant Pot Version

For a faster option, place potatoes, onions, garlic, broth, and spices in the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for about 10 minutes, then quick-release. Mash the potatoes, switch to sauté mode, and stir in the cheese and dairy until everything is smooth and creamy.

Extra-Rich Version With Creamy Cheese

If you want an extra-luxurious take, melt a few spoonful's of cream cheese into the soup. It adds richness, a little tang, and makes the texture unbelievably silky, perfect for when you want something extra cozy.

What to Serve with Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Pairing your loaded baked potato soup with the right sides can turn a simple bowl into a well-rounded, comforting meal. Here are some sides to add to your meal:

• Side Salad - a crisp salad brings freshness to the meal. Greens with a light vinaigrette or even a simple cucumber salad add a bright contrast to the soup’s creamy texture.
  
  

• Dinner Rolls - soft rolls are great for dipping and soaking up the flavours. They add a cozy, homemade touch and make the meal feel extra satisfying.
  
  

• Garlic Bread - for something a little richer, try garlic bread. Its buttery, crunchy edges pair perfectly with the smooth and cheesy soup.
  
  

• Vegetables - roasted or steamed veggies, like broccoli, carrots, or green beans, keep the meal balanced. They’re simple to make and bring a nice pop of colour to your plate.
  
  

Storage, Freezing & Reheating

Your loaded baked potato soup will stay fresh in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Store it in an airtight container so it doesn’t absorb any other flavours from the fridge. As it chills, the soup may thicken a bit, and this is normal because it will loosen up once you reheat it.

Creamy soups can be a little tricky to freeze. Dairy tends to separate once frozen, which can make the texture grainy when thawed. Potato soups also thicken and sometimes become a bit pasty after freezing. That doesn’t mean you can’t freeze it; you just need a couple of extra steps to protect the creamy texture.

These are some freezing tips for you:

• Let the soup cool completely before freezing

• Skip adding cheese or cream until after reheating (if possible)

• Freeze in smaller portions for easier thawing.

To keep the soup smooth and creamy when reheating, warm it slowly over low heat on the stove. Stir often and avoid letting it boil, since high heat can cause dairy to split. If the soup looks thicker than you’d like, add a splash of milk or broth to bring it back to the right consistency. For microwaving, reheat in shorter intervals, stirring between each one to help everything heat evenly.

FAQs

Can I use leftover baked potatoes?

Yes, leftover baked potatoes work perfectly. They’re already soft, which makes the soup come together even faster. Just scoop out the insides, chop them up, and add them right into the pot.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. This soup holds up well in the fridge for a few days. Just keep in mind that it will thicken as it sits, so you may need to add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to bring it back to a smooth, creamy texture.

How do I make it thicker/creamier?

To make your soup thicker, mash more of the cooked potatoes or blend a small portion and stir it back in. For extra creaminess, add a bit more cheese, some heavy cream, or even a spoonful of cream cheese for a richer finish.

Why did my soup get gluey?

A gluey or gummy texture usually happens when potatoes are overworked. Blending too long or stirring aggressively can cause the starches to break down too much. To avoid this, mash gently, blend only part of the soup, and keep the heat low once the dairy is added/

Bringing It All Together

This loaded baked and cheesy potato soup is the kind of meal that makes any day feel a little warmer and a lot more comforting. It’s simple to prepare, full of rich flavour, and easy enough for weeknights but cozy enough for special occasions. Every spoonful is creamy, cheesy, and satisfying in the best way.

And the fun doesn’t stop with the base recipe because customizing this meal is part of the joy. Pile on your favourite toppings, stir in extra cheese, and more veggies, or keep it classic and simple. No matter how you want to personalize it, you’ll end up with a bowl that’s hearty, comforting, and absolutely delicious.

It’s one of those soups you’ll want to make all winter long - and probably even when it’s not winter at all. Enjoy!