Loaded Ranch Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 6 large baking potatoes (Peeled and cubed)
• 1 large onion (Chopped)
• 4 cup chicken broth
• 3 garlic cloves (Minced)
• 0.25 cup butter
• 2.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (Use either heavy cream or half-and-half)
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (Shredded)
• 3 tbsp fresh chives or green onions (Chopped; reserve additional chives for topping if desired)
• 8 slices bacon (Cooked and crumbled)
• sour cream (Optional; for topping)
• extra shredded cheese (For topping)

Steps

1. 1

   Add the peeled, cubed potatoes, chopped onion, chicken broth, minced garlic, butter, salt, and pepper to a crockpot. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours, until the potatoes are tender.

2. 2

   Lightly mash the potatoes in the crockpot to thicken the soup to your desired consistency, leaving as many or as few potato pieces as you prefer.

3. 3

   Stir in the ranch seasoning mix, heavy cream or half-and-half, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and chopped chives or green onions. Let the soup warm through for about 15–20 minutes.

4. 4

   Ladle the soup into individual servings. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream, if desired, crumbled bacon, extra shredded cheese, and more fresh chives before serving.

Notes

For an extra-creamy texture, blend part of the potatoes with an immersion blender before adding the cream, while leaving some chunks for texture. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and ranch seasoning before serving. The soup is best fresh or refrigerated; it may separate or become grainy when frozen and thawed. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth if needed, or microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals. The source suggests grilled cheese as a pairing. Optional variations include using vegetable broth and omitting the bacon for a vegetarian version, or substituting Monterey Jack or Colby Jack for the cheddar.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• soup
• slow-cooked
• crockpot
• comfort food
• family-friendly
• make-ahead
• American