If you’re craving a cozy bowl that brings comfort and rich flavors in every spoonful, this Simple Potato Soup with Bacon and Cream Cheese Recipe is exactly what you need. Creamy, savory, and dotted with crispy bacon, it’s a heartwarming dish that’s easy to whip up with straightforward ingredients. The potatoes lend a velvety texture while the cream cheese adds lusciousness, and smoky bacon crumbles give it a perfect punch of flavor. Whether you want a quick weeknight meal or something to impress guests with minimal fuss, this soup hits all the right notes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every great recipe starts with the right basics, and this one is no exception. These simple ingredients come together beautifully, each adding its own essential flavor and comforting texture to make this soup absolutely irresistible.
- 4.5 cups chicken broth: A savory, flavorful base that makes your soup rich without any heaviness.
- 8 cups potatoes: Peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks, these provide the creamy body and wholesome heartiness.
- 1/2 cup onion: Adds subtle sweetness and depth to balance the richness of cream cheese.
- 3 garlic cloves: Freshly minced to brighten the soup with aromatic undertones.
- 1.25 tsp salt: Enhances all the flavors naturally without overpowering them.
- 1.25 tsp black pepper: Offers a gentle heat and spice contrast to the creamy elements.
- 8 oz cream cheese: The star ingredient that melts perfectly into the potatoes, creating silky smoothness.
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika: Introduces a smoky warmth that complements the bacon beautifully.
- 8 slices bacon: Cooked until crispy and crumbled for irresistible texture and smoky flavor bursts.
- 1/2 cup green onion: Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color for garnish.
- 1.5 cups cheese: Ideal for sprinkling on top, melting into gooey goodness.
How to Make Simple Potato Soup with Bacon and Cream Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by peeling and chopping your potatoes into uniform one-inch chunks so they cook evenly. Mince the garlic cloves and dice the onions finely. Cooking the bacon until crispy not only brings texture but also renders flavorful fat that we’ll use to build the soup’s base.
Step 2: Build the Flavor Base
In a large pot, use the bacon fat to sauté the onions and garlic until they’re soft and fragrant. This step is crucial because it awakens the onion’s natural sweetness and adds a deep aroma that plays perfectly with the smoky bacon.
Step 3: Cook the Potatoes in Broth
Add your potatoes to the pot along with the chicken broth, salt, and black pepper. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let the potatoes cook until they’re tender enough to pierce easily with a fork—about 15 minutes.
Step 4: Blend in Cream Cheese and Seasonings
Turn off the heat and stir in the cream cheese and smoked paprika. The cream cheese melts right into the potatoes, thickening the broth into an irresistibly creamy soup. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste at this stage for perfect seasoning.
Step 5: Finish With Bacon, Cheese, and Green Onions
Before serving, mix in half of the crumbled bacon and half of the green onions for extra flavor inside the soup. Ladle into bowls and top each serving with the remaining cheese, bacon, and green onions for a gorgeous, layered effect.
How to Serve Simple Potato Soup with Bacon and Cream Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing this soup is where the fun really begins. Crisp bacon crumbles, a sprinkling of shredded cheese, and fresh sliced green onions add texture and vibrant color. For an extra creamy touch, a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of heavy cream can elevate your presentation and taste.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread or warm, buttery dinner rolls to soak up every bit of that creamy goodness. A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly, offering a refreshing balance.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Simple Potato Soup with Bacon and Cream Cheese Recipe in rustic bread bowls for a charming, edible vessel. Alternatively, layering garnishes in clear glass mugs creates an inviting, visual treat that’s great for casual gatherings or cozy family dinners.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before reheating to redistribute any settled cream cheese and maintain that perfect creamy texture.
Freezing
This soup freezes wonderfully! Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some space for expansion. It will keep well for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy again, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring often to avoid scorching. You may want to add a splash of broth or milk to loosen the texture if it thickens too much. Microwave reheating is fine for smaller portions, just make sure to stir halfway through.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of cheese instead of cream cheese?
Absolutely! While cream cheese provides that signature smooth creaminess, you can try mascarpone or even a mild goat cheese for a twist. Just remember these alternatives may change the soup’s texture and tang slightly.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Definitely! Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and swap bacon for smoked tempeh or a smoky paprika sprinkle to maintain that depth of flavor without the meat.
Can I make the soup thicker or thinner?
For a thicker soup, mash some of the cooked potatoes before adding the cream cheese. To thin it out, simply add a bit more chicken broth or water until you reach your preferred consistency.
What’s the best potato to use for this soup?
Starchy potatoes like Russets are ideal for this recipe because they break down nicely and create that creamy texture, but Yukon Golds add a buttery flavor and hold their shape a bit more if you prefer some chunkiness.
How spicy is the soup with smoked paprika?
Smoked paprika adds warmth and a subtle smoky sweet flavor rather than heat, so it’s generally mild. If you want more spice, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or black pepper to taste.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Simple Potato Soup with Bacon and Cream Cheese Recipe a try soon. It’s one of those magical dishes that comforts like a warm hug and impresses without fussy ingredients or complicated steps. Perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you need a little taste of cozy, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation.
Print
Simple Potato Soup with Bacon and Cream Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This simple and comforting potato soup features tender chunks of potatoes simmered in savory chicken broth, enriched with creamy Philadelphia cream cheese, smoky bacon, and a hint of smoked paprika. Topped with crisp bacon crumble, green onions, and melty cheese, it’s a perfect hearty meal for chilly days.
Ingredients
Broth and Vegetables
- 4.5 cups chicken broth (Swanson preferred for savory consistency)
- 8 cups potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
Seasonings
- 1.25 tsp salt
- 1.25 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Dairy & Cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese (Philadelphia brand recommended)
- 1.5 cups shredded cheese (type unspecified, commonly cheddar)
Protein & Garnish
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1/2 cup green onion, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the 8 slices of bacon until crispy. Remove and place on paper towels to drain excess fat, then crumble. Set aside for garnish.
- Sauté aromatics: Using a large pot or Dutch oven, optionally use a small amount of the bacon fat or a little oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Cook potatoes: Add the peeled and chunked potatoes to the pot along with 4.5 cups of chicken broth, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Add cream cheese: Lower the heat and gradually stir in the cream cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the soup, creating a rich and creamy texture.
- Blend soup (optional): For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to partly blend the soup to your preferred texture, or leave it chunky if desired.
- Finish with cheese: Stir in the shredded cheese until melted and fully combined.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and top each serving with crumbled crispy bacon and sliced green onions for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can use any cheese you prefer, but sharp cheddar complements this soup well.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth and omit the bacon or use a plant-based bacon alternative.
- The soup can be thickened further by mashing some of the potatoes before adding the cream cheese.
