Cooking Light magazine recently highlighted a baked potato soup recipe and called it their "best soup ever." I had a bunch of potatoes leftover from Thanksgiving, so I decided to test out the recipe. The potatoes are baked before being added to the soup, creating a wonderful texture. The end result is a soup that tastes exactly like a baked potato in a bowl. Sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onions, and bacon provide the delicious flavor. Is it really the best potato soup ever? Make it and find out! To see how it's done, read more


Baked Potato Soup
Modified From Cooking Light magazine

2 tbsp. butter
1/4 of a large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
4 baking potatoes (about 2-1/2 lbs.)*
2/3 cup all-purpose flour (about 3 oz.)
6 cups milk (use 2 percent reduced fat if you prefer)**
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, divided (use reduced fat if you prefer)
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
3/4 cup chopped green onions, divided
6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
Cracked black pepper (optional)

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Pierce potatoes with a fork; bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool. Peel potatoes; coarsely mash.

  3. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until soft, about 8 minutes.

  4. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Place flour into the vegetables; gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 8 minutes).

  5. Add mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat.

  6. Stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup onions. Cook over low heat 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated (do not boil).

  7. Ladle 1-1/2 cups soup into each of 8 bowls. Sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 tsp. cheese, 1-1/2 teaspoons onions, and about 1 tbsp. bacon. Garnish with cracked pepper, if desired.

Serves 8.

*I used Yukon Gold because that is what I had in my kitchen.
**I didn't have enough milk so I used 4 cups of milk, 1 cup of half and half, and 1 cup of chicken broth.

View 27 Photos ›

Print recipe with images | without images