This baked potato soup recipe is a hearty winter favorite that is both substantial and oh so yummy. It is a great way to use up any leftover baked potatoes. Topped with enticingly aromatic bacon and savory cheese, this creamy soup is sure to bring the most finnicky eater to the dinner table.
Baked potato soup is filling enough to be the star of any meal. Some suggested accompaniments are cornbread or, for lighter fare, a nice, crisp salad.
Baked Potato Soup
Ingredients:
4 large baking potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup flour
6 cups milk
4 green onions, chopped
12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 1/4 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
8 ounces sour cream
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1. Bake potatoes until done. Cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp and set aside.
2. Melt butter in heavy saucepan over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth.
3. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, stirring over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
4. Add potato pulp, salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons of the green onion, 1/2 cup bacon, and 1 cup cheese.
5. Cook until heated thoroughly and stir in sour cream. Add more milk if necessary (but it should be served thick).
6. Serve with remaining green onions, bacon and cheese on top.
How to Store Leftover Baked Potato Soup
Unable to finish all of this delicious soup in one sitting? No worries! We'll tell you exactly how to store it, and how to reheat it once you're ready to eat it again.
If you want to keep leftover baked potato soup in the fridge, make sure you keep it in an airtight bag or container. We recommend using a container, since a bag risks spillage. Nobody wants to clean up a mess of soup in their fridge, not to mention all of it will go to waste if it spills. If the soup isn't stored in an airtight container, it won't last. When stored properly, baked potato soup should last for three to five days in the fridge.
If you want to freeze your leftover baked potato soup, simply put it in a sealed container and pop it in the freezer. It should last for up to three months when stored this way, assuming your freezer is kept at zero degrees Fahrenheit. We recommend eating it sooner than that, but if you really love this soup then there's nothing wrong with prepping a lot of it for the months ahead!
Once you're ready to eat your soup, defrost it in the fridge or in the microwave if necessary. Never just leave soup out on the counter to defrost. To reheat, boil the soup on the stove or in a microwave for three minutes. It's important that you boil it for this long; doing so will kill any bacteria in the soup. Before reheating, make sure to give the soup a quick look and a quick sniff.
If it smells or looks abnormal, throw it out. Once you've finished reheating it, give it a quick taste. Make sure to give it a few moments to cool down so you don't burn yourself! If it tastes funny, throw it out. If not, serve it up and enjoy! Make sure you don't reheat the same soup more than once. Only reheat what you know you and your family can finish.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/bhofack2.