Loaded Potato Soup

By MichaelH

Ingredients

• 1 package (12 oz) bacon
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 lb baking potatoes, peeled, cubed
• 2/3 cup butter
• 3/4 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
• 4 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup diced cooked ham
• 1 container (8 oz) sour cream
• 2 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (10 oz)
• 3/4 cup sliced green onions

Preparation

Step 1

In 12-inch skillet, cook bacon over medium heat 6 to 7 minutes or until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Cook onion in bacon drippings over medium-high heat 6 minutes or until almost tender.

In 6-quart Dutch oven, mix onion, broth and potatoes. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are very tender.

Meanwhile, in same skillet, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour with whisk until smooth. Cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually stir in 2 cups of the milk. Pour milk mixture into potato mixture. Add remaining 2 cups milk, the salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with whisk, until mixture is thickened and bubbly.

Stir in ham, half of the bacon, the sour cream, 2 cups of the cheese and 1/2 cup of the green onions. Cook until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted. Evenly top individual servings with remaining bacon, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/4 cup green onions.

**I omit the ham and throw in shrimp or lobster crab would work too