Baked Potato Soup 

This cozy Baked Potato Soup from The Cozy Cook is the ultimate comfort-food twist on a loaded baked potato, but served in a rich, creamy bowl. It features tender potatoes simmered in a savory broth enriched with bacon drippings, garlic, onion, half-and-half, and butter, then finished with sharp cheddar, sour cream, and fresh chives. Ready in about 45 minutes, this hearty soup is perfect for chilly nights, easy entertaining, or batch cooking since it freezes beautifully 

Ingredients

• 4 large russet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and cubed
  
  

• ¾ tsp salt (more for boiling water)
  
  

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
  
  

• 1 large yellow onion, diced
  
  

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  
  

• 2 Tbsp butter
  
  

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  
  

• 3½ cups chicken broth
  
  

• 2 cups half-and-half (or milk)
  
  

• ¾ cup sour cream
  
  

• ½ tsp black pepper
  
  

• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  
  

• 2 Tbsp bacon drippings (reserved)
  
  

• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives + extra for garnish
  
  

Directions

1. Cook Bacon: In a large pot, cook chopped bacon over low heat until crisp. Transfer bacon to a paper towel, leaving about 2 Tbsp drippings in the pot
   
   

2. Boil Potatoes: In a separate saucepan, cover potatoes with salted water. Bring to a gentle boil and cook until very tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, mash slightly, and set aside .
   
   

3. Sauté Veggies: Add onion to bacon drippings; sauté ~5 min until soft. Add garlic and butter; cook 1 min
   
   

4. Make Roux: Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to remove raw flavor 

5. Add Liquids: Gradually whisk in chicken broth and half-and-half. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer
   
   

6. Finish Soup: Stir in mashed potatoes, sour cream, and pepper. Remove from heat; stir in shredded cheddar until melted.
   
   

7. Serve: Ladle into bowls. Top with cooked bacon, chopped chives, and extra cheese if desired.
   
   

Nutrients (per ~2 cup serving; makes 8 servings)

• Calories: ~482 kcal
  
  

• Protein: 16 g
  
  

• Fat: 34 g (Saturated ~18 g)
  
  

• Carbohydrates: 28 g
  
  

• Fiber: 2 g
  
  

• Sodium: ~968 mg
  
  

• Cholesterol: 89 mg
  
  

• Sugar: 2 g