Name: Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup – A Warm Hug in a Bowl
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced; 6 slices of bacon, chopped; 1 medium onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 4 cups chicken broth; 1 cup milk (whole milk or half-and-half for a creamier version); 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional); 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional); 2 tablespoons butter; 1/4 cup chopped green onions (for garnish); 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for garnish)

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If you’re craving comfort food, this Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup is the perfect recipe to try. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with hearty ingredients like tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and a luscious broth. Every spoonful is like a cozy hug from the inside. It’s the kind of soup that makes you feel all warm and content, whether you’re sitting down to a cold winter evening or just in need of some soul-soothing comfort food.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor – This soup combines basic pantry ingredients like potatoes, bacon, and onions, but the result is so much more than the sum of its parts.
Comforting & Hearty – The combination of creamy potatoes and crispy bacon will fill you up and leave you feeling satisfied.
Easy to Make – With a few basic steps, you’ll have a big pot of soup ready to feed the family or meal prep for the week.

Ingredients

For the soup:

6 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and diced
4 strips of bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

(Full list of ingredients below)

Directions

Step 1: Cook the Bacon

In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy and golden brown. Once done, remove the bacon and set it aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pot for extra flavor.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

In the same pot, add the diced onion and garlic. Sauté them until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. The bacon grease will give the veggies a nice, rich flavor that makes this soup irresistible.

Step 3: Add the Potatoes and Broth

Add the diced potatoes to the pot, and pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Stir everything together and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Step 4: Mash the Potatoes

Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the potatoes a little bit in the pot, but don’t mash them completely. You want a chunky texture for this soup. If you like it smoother, feel free to mash it more, but the chunks really make it heartier.

Step 5: Add the Cream and Milk

Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes until everything is well incorporated and the soup is nice and creamy.

Step 6: Season and Serve

Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, and don’t forget to sprinkle the crispy bacon bits back into the pot. Stir it all up and garnish with a bit of fresh parsley if you like. Serve hot with a side of crusty bread for dipping!

Expert Tips and Tricks

For Extra Creaminess – Add a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese to the soup right before serving for even more creaminess.
Make it Spicy – If you love a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small diced jalapeño while sautéing the onions and garlic.
Customize the Bacon – For even more flavor, try using a smoked bacon or pancetta to give the soup a rich, smoky taste.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Vegetarian Version – Skip the bacon and use olive oil to sauté the onions and garlic. You can also add some sautéed mushrooms for a savory, umami flavor.
Dairy-Free Version – Swap the heavy cream and milk for coconut milk or almond milk and use dairy-free cheese for a creamy texture.
Add Veggies – If you want to load up the soup with more veggies, try adding some carrots, celery, or corn for a fun twist.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

With Bread – This soup pairs perfectly with a thick slice of buttered toast, a warm baguette, or a grilled cheese sandwich for dipping.
Pair With a Salad – For a more complete meal, serve it with a side salad of mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette to balance out the richness of the soup.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Storage – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating – To reheat, simply warm it up on the stove over medium heat. If the soup thickens too much after refrigeration, add a bit more milk or broth to reach your desired consistency.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen potatoes for this recipe?
Yes! Frozen diced potatoes work well, but you might need to adjust the cooking time since they’ll cook faster.

2. Can I make this soup in advance?
Absolutely! This soup actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld together.

3. Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, you can freeze this soup. Just let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat it on the stove and add a bit of milk to restore the creaminess.

4. Can I use a different kind of cheese in this soup?
Definitely! If you love cheesy potato soup, you can stir in some shredded cheddar cheese after adding the cream and milk for an extra cheesy twist.

Conclusion

This Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup is the ultimate comfort food. It’s simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor. Perfect for those chilly days when you want something hearty and filling. Whether you’re making it for a cozy dinner or to meal prep for the week, it’s sure to become a family favorite. So, grab your ingredients and get cooking – your taste buds will thank you!

Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup – A Warm Hug in a Bowl

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This Old-Fashioned Potato & Bacon Soup is a hearty and comforting classic. With creamy potatoes, crispy bacon, and a rich, savory broth, it’s the perfect dish to warm up on a chilly day. Easy to make and full of flavor, it’s a family favorite!

Author: Touria Elkoudssi
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Instructions

Cook the Bacon:
In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pot and set aside, leaving the bacon drippings in the pot.
Sauté the Vegetables:
Add the diced onion to the pot with the bacon drippings and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until the onions are softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer the Potatoes:
Add the diced potatoes to the pot along with the chicken broth, salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Mash the Potatoes:
Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes to your desired texture—some prefer a chunkier soup, while others like it smoother. If you like a creamier consistency, you can also use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup.
Add Dairy:
Stir in the milk, heavy cream, and butter. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the soup is heated through and creamy.
Finish and Serve:
Add the crispy bacon back into the soup and stir. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Ladle the soup into bowls, then top with green onions and shredded cheddar cheese if desired.

Notes

For extra creaminess, use a combination of heavy cream and sour cream.
You can add extra vegetables like carrots or celery for more flavor and texture.
This soup stores well and can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat.