Loaded Baked Potato Soup





Is it getting cold where you live?  It sure is starting to get chilly here.  As someone who lives in the South, I consider anything below 60 degrees COLD!  Once Winter comes & it gets super cold, I like to go into hibernation.  


To help warm up my bones – and because I plum just love any & all potato dishes, I decided to make a bit pot of Loaded Baked Potato Soup.  I came up with the one a few years ago with ingredients that I had on hand, and it just stuck.  It is husband & kid approved, and I really enjoy it myself :)~


Here is what you need:



 


Go ahead & scoop out the potatoes from the skins.  Reserve the skins for later use…or make potato skins to go along with the soup like I do.




In a large pot, fry up the pound of bacon until it’s nice & crispy.  I fried up 2 pounds of bacon instead of just one because I decided to make potato skins too.  Plus, my family has a way of stealing the bacon off the plate!




Now, don’t throw away all the bacon grease that has collected in the bottom of the pot!!  That is going to help flavor the soup!  You will need to keep a couple tablespoons in the pot.  Add a stick of butter to it & melt.




Stir in the flour to make a roux.  Let it cook for a minute or two.




Slowly pour in the milk, a cup at a time, whisking to combine until all the milk is in & it has thickened nicely.


 

 


My youngest daughter, Madison, came running at the opportunity to whisk the soup!  

Add the potatoes to the soup.




Then the green onions…




And the bacon, salt, & pepper…




Then the cheese!


 


Stir in the sour cream.




Serve immediately.


 

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

  • 8 medium to large baked potatoes
  • 1/2 cup - 2/3 cup bacon grease from frying bacon
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups milk
  • 1 cup chopped green onions
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • 1 pound cooked bacon crumbled (reserving 2 tablespoons bacon grease!)
  • 1 stick butter
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 heaping cup sour cream

Instructions

  • Scoop out the inside of the potatoes and set aside. Reserve the skins for another recipe or discard.
  • Stir the flour into the bacon grease to make a roux. Cook about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually pour in the milk while stirring until all the milk has been added. Bring heat to medium and keep stirring until the soup mixture starts to get thick.
  • Add the potatoes, green onions, salt, ground black pepper, bacon, cheese, & sour cream.. Stir well .  Serve immediately.