Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This is a another warm and comforting soup for these cold winter days! This one requires a little more prep than some soups, but it's not hard, and the results are worth it!

I adapted this from a regular Ham and Potato soup and loaded it up, just like you would a baked potato!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

6 strips of bacon

1/2 tsp minced garlic

3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes

1/8  tsp celery seed 

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

3/4 cup diced cooked ham

3 1/4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup water

1/2 tsp salt, or to taste

1 tsp pepper, or to taste

5 TB all-purpose flour

4 TB butter
1 TB bacon grease

2 cups milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 TB sour cream

In a large stew pot, cook strips of bacon. When done, place bacon on paper towel lined plate to drain. Drain grease, reserving 1 TB bacon grease for later. Don't clean pot.

Add chopped onions and cook for about 2 minutes until it just begins to soften.

Add potatoes, celery seed, salt and pepper, water and chicken broth to pan and cook about 8-10 minutes until potatoes are tender.

In a small skillet, melt butter and reserved bacon grease, then add flour and mix well. Cook until a golden brown about 3 minutes. When potatoes are done, add flour and butter/grease mixture to stew pot. Cook about 1 minute until bubbly and it starts to thicken. Add milk, cheese, bacon and ham and cook for another couple of minutes until hot, bubbly and slightly thick. 

Remove from heat and add sour cream and mix well. Serve with more cheese if desired. Enjoy!