The evenings are starting to get cooler here already, and we all know that autumn is just around the corner for us. We’re enjoying the hot days that we get now, knowing that in a few short weeks, we will have forgotten all about the heat and humidity that we had this summer. On rainy days, it is usually quite cool already. And on those cool days, when you can open the windows & let the cool air blow through the house, there is just something comforting about being able sit around the table with your family and enjoy a nice, hot bowl of soup.
This Baked Potato Soup is pretty flexible, you can include the ingredients you like, and omit those you don’t care for, much like when you top your baked potato. If onions aren’t your thing, omit them. And if you don’t like bacon, don’t add it. It is totally up to you to make this recipe to suit your family’s tastes.
Baked Potato Soup
This Baked Potato Soup is pretty flexible, you can include the ingredients you like, and omit those you don't care for, much like when you top your baked potato.
Ingredients
- 3 bacon strips, diced (optional) - If omitting bacon: 2 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups gluten-free chicken broth
- 2 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup half-and-half cream
- 1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce
- shredded cheddar cheese
- minced fresh chives
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain, reserving 1 Tbsp of the drippings. Set bacon aside. (If not using bacon, add oil and butter to the pan in place of the drippings)
- Saute onion and garlic in the drippings (or oil and butter) until tender. Stir in cornstarch, salt, basil and pepper; mix well. Gradually add the chicken broth. Bring to a boil and boil and stir for 2 minutes.
- Add the potatoes, cream, and hot pepper sauce. Heat through but do not boil.
- Garnish your soup with the bacon, cheddar cheese and chives.
Notes
You can either use leftover potatoes, or you can bake your potatoes in the microwave. To do that, simply scrub your potatoes with a brush to clean them, pat them dry, poke them numerous times with a fork or knife. Place across from each other in the microwave, and microwave in 2 minute intervals, flipping each time, until a knife easily penetrates the middle of the potato.
sarah says
Oh cold, I cannot wait for cold. A month or 2 to go here and I can enjoy this soup with a chill in the air. Delicious!
Jeanine says
lol, I can wait a LONG time for cold. 🙂 Hope you enjoy the soup!
lisa @thebeadgirl says
i made bread yesterday…this will go with it perfectly! thank you!
Jeanine says
Yes, the perfect soup to go with bread. Yum!
Tamara says
We’ve already had a few cooler evenings, so I’m trying this when the next one comes around! Looks fabulous!
Jeanine says
I think we’re expecting a cool day next week again, I don’t mind one here or there, but when it’s month after month, it gets to be a bit much. lol
aileen says
Made this tonight…threw in some broccoli and made the diced bacon and cheddar part of the soup as it simmered (after addiing potato) . Wonderful…love the kick of the hot sauce. Thanks!
Don says
I want to know if I make this soup what i would use instead of half & half,because I’m Lactose intolerant.I want to make this soup.You have some recipes that call for buttermilk,any suggestions for those ones.Thanks,Don
Jeanine Friesen says
Hi Don, I’m not sure what you would use in place of the half & half. I think just a neutral tasting dairy-free milk would probably work best – the potatoes will help to thicken it a bit.
For buttermilk, I’ve heard that using 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice mixed with 7 Tbsp of dairy-free milk (to make one cup) works in place of the buttermilk. Just mix the two together and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.