Experience the ultimate comfort in a bowl: a luscious, creamy potato soup generously loaded with classic baked potato toppings and an abundance of gooey, melted cheese. This is more than just soup; it’s a hearty embrace for your soul.
Embrace the Cheesy Bliss: Why More is Always Better
Allow me to introduce you to two core philosophies that guide my culinary world:
- The generous addition of cheese invariably enhances any dish.
- The concept of “too cheesy” simply does not exist.
I genuinely struggle to comprehend the phrase “too cheesy.” My mind steadfastly refuses to reconcile those two words. In my home, cheese is an integral part of nearly every meal. Our refrigerator boasts a dedicated cheese drawer, always meticulously stocked with a diverse array of varieties, from sharp cheddar to creamy mozzarella, and everything in between. To streamline my cooking process, I consistently keep several bags of high-quality shredded cheese, like those from Kraft, on hand. They are invaluable for whipping up delicious meals on busy weeknights or when unexpected cravings strike. Given our household’s considerable cheese consumption, I’m always thrilled to find opportunities to save on Kraft products, especially at Target. Kraft frequently offers fantastic coupons and deals, making it easier to keep that cheese drawer gloriously full. Check for the latest offers to make your grocery runs more budget-friendly.
The Heartwarming Perfection of Loaded Potato Soup
Now that you’re acquainted with my unwavering devotion to cheese, let’s delve into the magnificent creation that is this Loaded Potato Soup. Imagine all the beloved toppings you’d pile onto a perfectly baked potato – crispy bacon, cool sour cream, and an indulgent amount of shredded cheese – now immerse them into a rich, velvety pot of potato soup. We’re talking about a symphony of textures and flavors that dance on your palate. I’ve incorporated such a generous quantity of cheese that with every spoonful, delightful trails of gooey cheese strings will stretch from your bowl, promising a truly decadent experience. This, my friends, is the epitome of cheesy perfection.
Efficiency in the Kitchen: Prep Ahead for Effortless Meals
One of the many beauties of this Loaded Potato Soup recipe is its relatively quick preparation time, typically taking about an hour from start to finish. However, for those bustling weekdays or when planning a larger gathering, you can significantly reduce your active cooking time by prepping many of the ingredients a few days in advance. Dicing the carrots, celery, and onions, mincing the garlic, and even cleaning and slicing the leeks can all be done ahead of time and stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This foresight allows you to simply combine and cook on the day you wish to enjoy this comforting masterpiece, transforming it into an incredibly convenient meal.
The Secret Ingredient: Elevating Your Potato Soup with Leeks
While bacon, sour cream, and cheese are classic baked potato toppings, there’s one special ingredient I’ve added to this recipe that truly elevates it: leeks. You won’t typically find leeks gracing a baked potato, but their inclusion in potato soup is, in my humble opinion, a game-changer. Leeks impart a wonderfully delicate, sweet, and slightly milder onion flavor to the soup’s base, which harmonizes impeccably with the earthy potatoes. This subtle enhancement adds a layer of sophistication without overpowering the rich, comforting essence of the dish.
For those unfamiliar, leeks belong to the allium family, making them cousins to onions and garlic. They possess a cylindrical white stalk that gradually transitions into dark green, fan-like leaves. Visually, they resemble an overgrown spring onion, but their flavor profile is distinctively nuanced and less pungent, offering a delightful aromatic backdrop to the soup.
How to Properly Clean Leeks: A Step-by-Step Guide
Leeks are known for trapping soil and grit between their layers, so a thorough cleaning is essential to ensure a smooth, enjoyable soup experience. Follow these simple steps:
- Trim the Dark Green Tops: Begin by chopping off the tough, dark green portion of the leek. These parts tend to be fibrous and less flavorful, so focus on retaining the tender white and light green sections.
- Halve and Rinse: Carefully cut your leeks in half lengthwise. Fan open the layers under cold running water, allowing the water to flush out any trapped dirt or soil. Inspect them closely to ensure all grit has been removed. Once clean, gently pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Slice for Cooking: Finally, chop off the root end and then slice the leeks into approximately 1/4-inch thick half-rounds. They are now perfectly prepared to add their delicate flavor to your soup.
The Quintessential Comfort Food for Any Occasion
This Loaded Potato Soup is more than just a meal; it’s a warm, hearty embrace that’s incredibly satisfying and filling. It stands as the quintessential comfort food, perfect for warding off the chill on a cold day, providing a nourishing lunch, or serving as an impressive main course for a family dinner. Its robust nature makes it an excellent choice for holiday gatherings as well. Imagine the ease of preparing this soup a few days beforehand, allowing the flavors to meld even further, and then simply reheating it on the big day for an effortless yet incredibly delicious holiday meal. Serve it alongside warm, crusty bread for dipping, which is perfect for soaking up every last drop of the creamy goodness. A sprinkle of fresh chives or extra bacon bits as a garnish adds a lovely touch of color and flavor.
Simplify Your Holiday Season with Kraft and Target
The holiday season, while joyful, can often feel overwhelming, with endless to-do lists ranging from gift shopping to elaborate family dinner planning. This year, allow Kraft to lend a helping hand in simplifying your culinary endeavors. With their extensive range of high-quality products, Kraft offers fantastic solutions for crafting delicious weeknight meals and impressive entertaining ideas, making the season a little less stressful and a lot more enjoyable. To further assist with your holiday preparations, Kraft frequently provides valuable coupons, often redeemable exclusively at Target. These savings can make your food shopping more economical, allowing you to focus on creating cherished memories and enjoying a truly happy and delicious holiday season with your loved ones.
Loaded Potato Soup
Yield: 12 servings
Total Time: 50 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
5 slices bacon, chopped into 1/2-inch slices
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups leeks, cleaned and chopped into 1/4-inch half rounds
3 large carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/4-inch cubes
6 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 1/2 cups 2% milk
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups shredded cheese (such as Kraft)
1/4 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside for later, reserving 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.
2. Add the butter, prepared leeks, carrots, celery, and onion to the pot with the reserved bacon grease. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables begin to soften.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning and to allow its fragrance to develop.
4. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the diced potatoes, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, Italian seasoning, and chicken stock. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients. Cover the pot and allow the mixture to simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender, which typically takes about 15-20 minutes.
5. While the potatoes are simmering, prepare a smooth slurry by whisking together the milk and all-purpose flour in a separate bowl until no lumps remain.
6. Once the potatoes are tender, reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly stir in the milk and flour mixture. Continue to stir gently as the soup thickens to your desired consistency, usually within 3-5 minutes.
7. Using an immersion blender, carefully pulse the soup until it achieves a slightly smooth consistency while retaining some desirable chunky texture from the potatoes. If an immersion blender is not available, transfer about 2/3 of the soup mixture to a standard blender and blend until smooth. Then, return the blended portion to the pot and stir to combine with the remaining chunky soup.
8. Stir in the heavy cream and seasoned salt, ensuring they are well incorporated into the soup.
9. Turn off the heat. Stir in the sour cream and shredded cheese until the cheese is completely melted and gooey. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished generously with the reserved crispy bacon, a dollop of sour cream, and an extra sprinkle of shredded cheese.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kraft. The opinions and text are all mine.