**Creamy Potato and Bacon Soup with Heavy Cream & Cheddar 🥔🥓🧀**
This creamy and delicious Potato and Bacon Soup is a perfect recipe for those cold afternoons when all you need is some comfort food!
**Why Make This Recipe**
This is an easy-to-prepare recipe that combines the beloved flavors of bacon and cheddar cheese. It’s hearty enough to serve as a meal and sure to warm you from the inside out. Plus, this rich and creamy soup is a great way to use up those leftover potatoes in your pantry!
**How to Make Creamy Potato and Bacon Soup with Heavy Cream & Cheddar**
**Ingredients**
– 6 slices of bacon, chopped
– 1 medium onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 4 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
– 4 cups chicken broth
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
**Directions**
1. Cook the chopped bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crispy. Keep aside and leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.
2. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic in the remaining bacon fat until the onions are translucent.
3. Add the diced potatoes to the pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Add in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer until the potatoes are tender.
5. Blend the soup to your desired consistency using an immersion blender. Alternatively, transfer half the soup to a blender and process until smooth, then return to the pot.
6. Mix in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Allow the cheese to melt by stirring continuously. Salt and pepper to taste.
7. Before serving, garnish with crispy bacon and chopped chives.
**How to Serve Creamy Potato and Bacon Soup with Heavy Cream & Cheddar**
Transfer the soup into bowls and top with extra shredded cheddar and a sprinkle of chopped chives. Best enjoyed with warm crusty bread on the side!
**How to Store Creamy Potato and Bacon Soup with Heavy Cream & Cheddar**
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until thoroughly warm.
**Tips to Make Creamy Potato and Bacon Soup with Heavy Cream & Cheddar**
1. Hold back on some pieces of bacon to add a crispy element when serving!
2. To have smoother consistency, blend more soup.
**Variations**
To add some greens, you can include veggies like spinach or kale into the soup. For vegans, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth, bacon with smoked tofu or mushrooms, and use a vegan cheese and cream alternative.
**FAQs About Creamy Potato and Bacon Soup with Heavy Cream & Cheddar**
1. **Can I use veggie broth instead of chicken broth?**
Yes, using veggie broth is a great option if you want a vegetarian version of this soup.
2. **Can I freeze this soup?**
While potato soup can be frozen, the cream in the soup may salsa cylinder and result in a grainy texture instead.
3. **What other cheese can I use instead of cheddar?**
Feel free to experiment with other types of cheese such as monterey jack or gouda.