Creamy Bacon & Cheddar Potato Soup

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 40 min
🍽 Serves: 6
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If you're looking for a comforting, hearty meal that warms you from the inside out, this Creamy Bacon & Cheddar Potato Soup is your ticket to coziness. Perfect for chilly nights, this soup combines rich flavors with a silky texture that’s hard to resist.

Ingredients for Creamy Bacon & Cheddar Potato Soup

Bacon brings a smoky, savory depth to the soup that’s hard to beat. The crispy bits also add a lovely texture when sprinkled on top. Butter helps to sauté the onions and garlic, adding a rich, creamy base to the soup. Onion and garlic are the aromatic backbone, providing a sweet and savory foundation. Chicken broth acts as the liquid base, infusing the potatoes with flavor as they cook. Potatoes are the heart of the soup, giving it a velvety texture once blended. Heavy cream adds richness and body, making the soup luxuriously creamy. Cheddar cheese contributes a sharp, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the bacon. Finally, chives offer a fresh, onion-like bite, perfect for garnishing.

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra flavor, try using smoked bacon.
  • If you don't have an immersion blender, a regular blender works fine; just blend in batches.
  • To make it a bit healthier, swap half of the heavy cream with milk.

Serving Suggestions

This soup pairs wonderfully with a slice of crusty bread or a simple green salad. A glass of crisp, dry white wine complements the creamy texture and rich flavors of the soup beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! Gouda or Monterey Jack would work well, but keep in mind it will alter the flavor slightly.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
Skip the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika for a hint of that smoky flavor you’d miss from the bacon.
Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, but the texture might change slightly due to the cream. Reheat it slowly and stir well to bring it back together.

Creamy Bacon & Cheddar Potato Soup Recipe Walkthrough

Start by cooking the bacon in a large pot over medium heat until it’s nice and crispy. Once done, remove the bacon and set it aside, but don’t discard those delicious drippings! Add a couple of tablespoons of butter to the pot, letting it melt into the bacon drippings. Now, toss in your diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté them until they’re translucent and aromatic, which should take about 5 minutes.

Next, pour in the chicken broth and add the diced potatoes. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let the potatoes cook until they’re tender, which usually takes around 15–20 minutes depending on their size. Once the potatoes are soft, take an immersion blender and purée the soup until it’s smooth. Be careful with this step to avoid splashes!

Now, stir in the heavy cream and cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the soup is heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the soup hot, topped with your reserved bacon crumbles and a sprinkle of chives for a fresh touch.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Combines the irresistible flavors of bacon and cheddar.
  • Rich and creamy texture that satisfies.
  • Simple ingredients that are easy to find.
  • Quick enough for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

4 slices bacon
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
5 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp butter
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp chopped fresh chives

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving drippings.
2. Add butter to the drippings, then sauté onions and garlic until translucent.
3. Pour in chicken broth and add diced potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer until potatoes are tender.
4. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth.
5. Stir in heavy cream, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until the cheese is melted and the soup is heated through.
6. Serve hot, topped with crumbled bacon and chives.

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