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Friends let me share my absolute favorite soul-warming recipe with you! This Ultimate Creamy Potato Soup has been my go-to comfort food for years and I'm so excited for you to try it. Made all in one pot (hello easy cleanup!) it's loaded with crispy bacon melty cheese and the creamiest potato base you can imagine. Every time I make this my kitchen fills with the most incredible aroma and my family comes running. Trust me this is the bowl of cozy you've been looking for!
Why I Love This Recipe So Much
You know those recipes that just feel like a warm hug? This is definitely one of them! I've perfected this soup over countless chilly evenings and it never fails to bring smiles to the table. What makes it extra special is how the smoky bacon plays with the creamy potatoes and that tangy sour cream just ties everything together perfectly. Plus it's so simple to make you'll feel like a kitchen pro even on busy weeknights!
Let's Gather Our Ingredients
- Potatoes: I love using Yukon Golds they get so creamy! Russets work great too just cut them into even chunks about ¾-inch.
- Bacon: Spring for the thick-cut stuff here it makes such a difference in flavor and texture.
- Onion and Garlic: The foundation of all good things in my kitchen!
- Chicken Broth: This adds such nice flavor while the potatoes cook.
- Heavy Cream: Don't skip this it makes everything silky smooth.
- Ancho Chili Powder: My secret ingredient! Start with just a little you can always add more.
- The Toppings: Sharp cheddar a dollop of sour cream fresh chives they make everything better.
Let's Make Some Soup
- First Up: Bacon Magic
- Start by cooking that bacon until it's perfectly crispy. Save some for topping but leave all that flavorful goodness in the pot!
- Building Flavors
- Throw your onions and garlic into those bacon drippings and let them get soft and fragrant about 5 minutes. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
- Time for Potatoes
- Add your potato chunks and broth bring it all to a boil then let it simmer until those potatoes are tender usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
- The Creamy Transform
- Here's where the magic happens! Use your immersion blender to puree about half the soup right in the pot. Don't have one? No worries a regular blender works too.
- Final Touches
- Stir in that cream and my secret weapon the ancho chili powder. Let everything get happy together for about 5 minutes.
- Make It Pretty
- Now for the fun part! Load up your bowls with all the good stuff bacon cheese sour cream and chives. A tiny pinch of chili powder on top makes it look fancy.
My Top Tips for Success
- Take an extra minute to cut those potatoes evenly they'll cook better that way.
- Trust me on pureeing just half the soup it gives you the perfect balance of creamy and chunky.
- Save that bacon for the end otherwise it gets soggy (and nobody wants soggy bacon!).
- Go easy with the chili powder at first you can always add more but you can't take it away.
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Keeping Leftovers Fresh
If you somehow end up with leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!) just pop them in an airtight container in the fridge they'll stay good for about 3 days. When you're ready to reheat just warm it gently on the stove. Sometimes I add a splash of cream or broth to bring back that perfect consistency.
About That Chili Powder
Let me tell you about my favorite secret ingredient ancho chili powder! Don't worry it won't make your soup spicy just adds this amazing depth of flavor with a tiny hint of smokiness. I love sprinkling a little extra on top before serving it's like a flavor boost in every bite.
Make It Your Own
The best part about this soup? How easy it is to customize! Sometimes I'll toss in some leftover chicken or maybe some corn. My vegetarian friends skip the bacon and use veggie broth it's still amazing. Want it spicier? Add more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne go wild!
What Makes This Extra Special
You know what makes this soup so incredible? It's that perfect balance of textures and flavors. The velvety base the chunks of potato that crispy bacon on top it all comes together to create something that's way more than just potato soup. It's comfort in a bowl!
Perfect Any Time
While I especially love making this on cold winter nights it's honestly delicious any time of year. Pair it with some crusty bread for dunking or a fresh side salad and you've got the coziest meal ever. It's become our favorite Sunday night dinner tradition!
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Kitchen Tools You'll Need
- A Good Big Pot: This is a one-pot wonder!
- Immersion Blender: My favorite kitchen tool for soups makes everything so easy.
- A Trusty Ladle: For serving up all that creamy goodness.
What to Serve With It
Want to know my favorite way to serve this? With warm crusty bread for dipping of course! Sometimes I'll make grilled cheese sandwiches on the side total comfort food heaven. And when I'm feeling fancy I'll whip up some garlic breadsticks they're perfect for dunking!
Common Oops and How to Fix Them
- Watch Those Potatoes: Keep an eye on them while cooking you want them tender but not falling apart.
- Don't Skip the Blending: It might seem like an extra step but it's what makes the soup so creamy!
- Bacon Timing: Add it right before serving to keep that perfect crunch.
Why You'll Make This Again and Again
Every time I share this recipe people come back telling me it's become their favorite too! There's just something about a bowl of creamy potato soup that makes everything better. Plus it's so easy to make you'll find yourself craving it on busy weeknights.
Planning Ahead
Here's a great meal prep tip you can totally make this soup ahead of time! Let it cool down pop it in containers and it'll keep beautifully in the fridge for a few days or the freezer for up to 3 months. Just give it a gentle reheat when you're ready and maybe add a splash of cream to bring back that silky texture.
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A Lighter Version
Want to lighten things up a bit? I've got you covered! Try using half-and-half instead of heavy cream and turkey bacon works great too. You can even go easy on the cheese and sour cream or use low-fat versions. It's still delicious just a little lighter!
Perfect Party Food
This soup is my go-to for casual gatherings! I love setting up a little toppings bar with extra bacon cheese sour cream chives and hot sauce. Let everyone customize their own bowls it's so much fun and always a huge hit!
More Than Just Soup
You know what I love most about making this soup? How it brings everyone together. There's something about a big pot of creamy potato soup that makes people slow down gather round and enjoy not just the food but each other's company. That's what cooking is all about!
All About That Texture
The secret to this soup's amazing texture? It's all about balance! By pureeing just half the soup you get this incredibly creamy base but still keep those satisfying chunks of potato. Every spoonful is a perfect mix of smooth and hearty.
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So Many Ways to Enjoy
Whether you're serving this as your main dish a cozy starter or even alongside sandwiches it just works! The ingredients might be simple but there are endless ways to make it your own. That's what makes it such a reliable go-to recipe in my kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why puree only half the soup?
- Pureeing half creates a creamy base while leaving potato chunks for texture. You can puree all of it if you prefer completely smooth soup.
- → What type of potatoes work best?
- Gold potatoes are ideal because they're creamy and hold their shape. Make sure to cut them no larger than 1 inch for even cooking.
- → Can I make this soup ahead?
- This soup reheats well and can be made ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat gently, adding milk if needed to thin the consistency.
- → Why add ancho chili powder?
- Ancho chili adds subtle warmth and depth without making the soup spicy. Start with less and add more to taste.
- → What can I use for toppings?
- Popular toppings include extra bacon, shredded cheddar, sour cream, and fresh chives. Add any or all based on preference.