Simple ingredients, big flavor: This loaded baked potato soup Dutch oven recipe is made with pantry staples like potatoes, cheese, bacon, and milk. But don’t let the simplicity fool you – it’s packed with flavor!
This Winter has been so chilly! The benefit of that, though, is SOUP! I’ve been focusing on homemade soups this year, and this one is definitely a winner. The bacon and extra cheese on top are really the cherries on top, but to be honest, I ate most of it without the toppings. I really enjoyed the creamy, comforting flavors of this super easy, loaded baked potato soup Dutch oven recipe!
This is another one of my Dutch Oven meals. I have raved about the Dutch Oven so much in previous posts, but let us talk about it again cause it’s just one of my favorite kitchen appliances.
Table of Contents
What is a Dutch Oven?
- The Dutch oven was inspired by brass and copper pots made and used in China more than 2,500 years ago. In the 17th century, a man named Abraham Darby returned home to the Netherlands and patented his design for the “Dutch Oven”
- In 1891, the beautiful, eye-catching enamel coating was added to the oven, and sales quickly spread through Europe.
- Due to its thick walls, Dutch ovens retain heat better than normal pots and work great inside the oven, on the stovetop, or even over a campfire.
- The options for cooking with this small appliance are endless. It cooks meat better than any slow cooker ever could, bakes perfectly crispy bread, is perfect for frying, and makes perfect soup.
Want to check out another Dutch Oven soup recipe? Check out this Minestrone Soup!
Why use Dutch Oven for this Loaded Baked Potato Soup?
The Dutch Oven is great. It retains heat beautifully and makes things just taste better. It distributes heat so evenly to the whole surface area of the oven.
You can use the Dutch Oven in the oven to cook bread or meat. It can also be used on the stovetop like an incredible pot for soups and pasta dishes! It is perfect for this loaded baked potato soup Dutch oven recipe!
Are you looking for the most amazing gift for the cook in your life? Open a whole new door to cooking and buy them this quality beauty!
Making this Loaded Baked Potato Soup Dutch Oven Recipe
This recipe has some prep:
- Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
- Dice the onion small.
- Mince the garlic.
- Cut the potatoes into little cubes.
- And if you’re using fresh, which of course, I recommend, shred the cheese
When I tell you this loaded baked potato soup Dutch oven recipe is worth the prep, it is! It is so creamy and comforting.
Once the prep is done, the recipe gets easy, and all goes into one pot!
- Placing the bacon in the bottom of a cold Dutch Oven allows the fat to render and break down. This will lead to a crispier, less fatty bacon. Place the cooked bacon on a paper towel and set aside but save about 2 tbsps of bacon grease in the pan. If the amount of oil at the bottom is WAY more than a couple of tablespoons, remove some.
- Add your onions to the hot pan. Saute your onions til they are translucent and browning. Make sure to scrape all those goodies from the bottom of the pan.
- Now it’s time to add your flour! Use a whisk to smooth out the flour, and blend with the onions for about a minute.
- Turn down the heat and add garlic for a minute til fragrant.
- Add chicken broth, milk, cream, and potatoes. Make sure to heat this up slowly so as not to allow the dairy to separate. Start on low and increase to medium heat, making sure to stir often!
- Cover and boil for at least 25 mins. This is my favorite time to clean up the kitchen, get all the dishes washed and put away so when your soup is done there won’t be a sink full of dishes! Additionally, this soup goes GREAT with French bread from the store (Tip: Heat the French bread at 350 degrees for 5-7 mins for the BEST warm, store-bought French bread.)
- Fork the potatoes after 25 mins; if not tender, allow to cook til soft. Once soft, use a potato masher right in the Dutch Oven til creamy and most of the potatoes are mashed or the desired consistency. At first, I thought this would be amazing if totally smooth, but once I tried it with some potato pieces still in it, I realized it was perfect.
- Add your 1/2 cup shredded cheese. If you have been following me for awhile, you know what I’m gonna say…please use fresh! Freshly shredded cheese is just SO MUCH BETTER than pre-shredded.
- Add your salt and pepper. I like to add a good amount of salt and some good quality pepper; it adds so much flavor.
- Time to dish it up! I’m missing chives and sour cream in my photos, but don’t let that stop you. The bacon, fresh cheese, add parmesan, chives, and sun-dried tomatoes, and the possibilities really are endless. Whatever you enjoy on a baked potato would go great on this soup!
- Enjoy this loaded baked potato soup Dutch Oven recipe!
Loaded Baked Potato Soup – Dutch Oven
Skip the takeout and whip up a cozy bowl of Loaded Baked Potato Soup in your Dutch oven! Our hearty recipe is packed with tender potatoes, melty cheese, and crispy bacon. It’s the perfect comfort food fix for a chilly day.
Ingredients
1 cup diced Bacon
1/2 cup diced Onion
1/4 cup Flour
2 cups Heavy Cream
2 cups Milk
1 clove chopped Garlic
4 cups Chicken Broth
4 large Russet Potatoes
Salt & Pepper to Taste
1/2 shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Layer uncooked bacon in bottom of cold dutch oven then turn on stove to medium and cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and leave grease.
- Saute onions in bacon grease til soft and translucent. (If not cooking bacon just add 2 tbsp of cooking oil to pan before adding onions.)
- Add flour, whisk til smooth and cook for about 1 minute
- Turn down heat and add milk, cream, garlic, chicken broth and potatoes. Slowly bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, continue to boil for 25 mins, stiring frequently.
- Once potatoes are soft, mash with a potato masher until desired consistency.
- Add the 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Add salt and pepper to taste (about 1tsp of salt & 1/2 tsp of pepper)
- Laddle into bowl, top with bacon, additional cheese, sour cream, chives, the possibilities are endless!
- Enjoy!
