Potato Soup with Bacon and Cheese

 Well, I think the name says it all - bacon, cheese, potato - you really can't go wrong with this Potato Soup with Bacon and Cheese!

For a long time, I've looked for THE potato soup and this may be it.

Creamy, but full of chunky potatoes, cheese and bits of bacon thrown in there to kick it over the top. (I had a cat and dog ready to step in and help during the cooking bacon part.)

This particular batch didn't have the onions in it (because you-know-who can't eat them), but it's really much better with them.

Also, the green onions mentioned in the recipe would be very good sprinkled on top with a bit more cheese and maybe some more bacon.

Here's a closeup so you can see the chunks of potato, creamy soup and bacon.

Hopefully it will be getting cooler here soon so we can enjoy this hearty soup. Being in the seventies in the middle of December just doesn't seem right. I know it's Texas, but we could really use just a bit cooler weather to get us into the winter mood.

Potato Soup with Bacon and Cheese will be good any time of the year, though, so I hope you try it and enjoy it!

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Potato Soup with Bacon and Cheese

Yield: 6 servings

Creamy, hearty, delicious potato soup with bacon and cheese!

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Ingredients

• 1 lb. bacon     
• 1 onion, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp. flour
• 3 C. chicken broth
• 3 lbs. potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces (about ¼") 
• 2 C. shredded cheese
• 1 ½ C. half-and-half 
•  salt and pepper to taste 
• chopped green onions

Instructions

1. Cook bacon and chop into small pieces - set aside.  Save 1 to 2 tbsp. of the bacon grease.
2. While the bacon cooks, boil the potatoes in a large pot until fork tender.  Drain them and lightly mash about ½ of them with a fork or potato masher. Set aside in a separate bowl for later.
3. In the large pot the potatoes were cooked in, put about 1 to 2 tbsp. of the bacon grease.  Add the onion and saute on medium-low for 6-8 minutes until translucent.  Add the garlic and saute for one minute. Add flour, stir and cook for 1 minute.
4. Slowly add in 1 cup of the chicken broth, while stirring well.  Add in the remaining chicken broth and simmer for about 5 minutes.  
5. Add the 2 cups of cheese ¼ cup at a time and stir until almost melted.
6. Add the potatoes and ¾ths of the bacon to the soup and stir well.  Add the half-and-half , and then salt and pepper to taste.
7. Simmer on very low for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn't
   stick to the bottom of the pan.
8. Serve and top with bacon, green onions and grated cheese.

Notes

Tips and Stuff:

If you prefer creamy potato soup, go ahead and mash all of the cooked potatoes before adding to the broth.

I used a cheddar/jack blend for the cheese, but you could use all cheddar or whatever you prefer, as long as it melts smoothly.  Don't worry if it doesn't melt completely when you add it to the broth - it will blend in later.

I used russet potatoes (5-6) the first time I made this and then small yellow potatoes (about 8) the second time - both were equally good.

After refrigerated, you may want to thin it out with a bit of half-and-half while warming so it won't be too thick.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 bowl
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 817Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 136mgSodium: 2091mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 5gSugar: 7gProtein: 43g

Nutrition Values are Approximate