A delicious loaded Potato Soup -- all the flavors you know and love from a baked potato are channeled into an ultra creamy, cheesy, and deliciously flavored soup!
PREP: Wash the potatoes and peel if desired (we like to leave the peel on -- it adds texture, flavor, and is easier!) Then cut into small cubes (1/2 inch in size). Dice the onion, dice the celery, dice the carrot. Mince the garlic. Thinly slice the un-cooked bacon (this is easiest with a very sharp knife and very cold bacon).
BACON: In a very large pot, over medium heat, cook all of the bacon to desired doneness, about 6-10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon on to a paper towel lined plate and dab off excess grease. Set bacon aside.
DRAIN BACON FAT: Drain off all the bacon fat except for 3 tablespoons. I do this by lining a small bowl with foil and then pouring all the rendered bacon fat into the bowl. Quickly wipe down the pot and then measure out 3 tablespoons bacon fat from the foil lined bowl and add back into the pot. Once the bacon fat hardens, you can ball up the foil and save for another recipe or discard -- no mess :)
VEGGIES: Add in the onion, celery, and carrot to the pot and saute, stirring frequently, over medium heat, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic in the last 30 seconds. Add in the diced potatoes and toss to coat. Add in the seasonings: salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and ground cayenne pepper. (I add in 1/2 teaspoon EACH of salt and pepper here.) Toss to coat and cook for 1 minute.
SIMMER: Cover everything with 6 cups chicken stock. SEE NOTE 1 to finish in crockpot. Heat to boiling and then reduce the heat and cook for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
MASH: Using a potato masher, mash down some of the tender potatoes, leaving some still in chunks.
CREAM MIXTURE: In another pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Slowly whisk in the flour and whisk until smooth. Cook for one minute over medium heat. Very slowly, while whisking constantly, add in 2 cups (463g) of milk. Whisk until thickened. Very slowly, while whisking constantly, add in the remaining 2 cups (463g) of milk. Again, stir until thickened. Add in a generous amount of salt and pepper (I add another 1/2 teaspoon of each, but add to your preference!)
FINISH THE SOUP: back to the soup, pour in the cream mixture. Stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sour cream, chives or green onions if using (we add about 1/4 cup), 2 cups (193g) of the cheese, and half of the cooked bacon. Stir until the cheese is melted.
SERVE: Top individual bowls with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, remaining bacon, and any more chives/green onions as desired. Enjoy warm!
Notes
Note 1: To prepare this potato soup in the crockpot: Follow steps 1-5 and then put everything into the crockpot (besides the cooked bacon). Cook on low for 5-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Mash the potatoes in the crockpot and then continue on with step 7. Add everything in the crockpot and cover for 15-20 more minutes on high to heat everything through and then serve. You'll want to use a 6 quart crockpot for this potato soup.