Description
Hearty potato soup from Cuisinecove brings comfort and warmth with creamy potatoes, crispy bacon, and fresh herbs dancing through each spoonful. Rich flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor every comforting bite of this classic soup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices turkey bacon, diced
Aromatic Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and black pepper
Garnish Ingredients:
- Extra shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped green onions
- Crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Crisp the turkey bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crunchy. Transfer bacon to a paper towel, reserving 2 tablespoons of rendered fat in the pot.
- Sauté diced onions in the bacon fat for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Introduce diced potatoes and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes reach a tender consistency when pierced with a fork.
- Create a flavor-enhancing roux by melting butter in a separate pan. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually incorporate 1 cup of soup liquid, stirring until smooth. Fold the roux back into the main pot to develop a richer, more luxurious texture.
- For a velvety consistency, use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, maintaining some potato chunks. Alternatively, carefully blend half the soup in a standard blender and reintegrate.
- Incorporate heavy cream, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted. Season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and a hint of cayenne for depth and warmth.
- Serve in warm bowls, garnishing with additional shredded cheddar, fresh green onion slivers, and the reserved crispy turkey bacon crumbles.
Notes
- Choose lean turkey bacon for a healthier protein option that still provides smoky flavor and crispy texture.
- Keep the bacon grease for sautéing aromatics to enhance the soup’s depth of taste without excessive fat.
- Dice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Use an immersion blender for quick and easy partial blending directly in the pot, minimizing cleanup and kitchen mess.
- Adjust spice levels by gradually adding cayenne pepper, allowing personal heat preference and preventing over-seasoning.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version that maintains creamy consistency.
- Replace regular potatoes with sweet potatoes for added nutrition and unique flavor profile.
- Select sharp cheddar cheese for more pronounced cheese taste and better melting properties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 246 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg