Baked Potato Soup

Soup is one of the simplest and most satisfying way to feed your family. It’s a meal as old as time and as good as it gets. Who doesn’t love a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter’s night? This baked potato soup is comforting, fresh, and filling all at the same time. Add some crusty bread and enjoy dinner around the fireplace for the ultimate warming meal.

I love how fast it is to throw together a hot meal for my family when I have a freezer stocked with ready-to-go ingredients! By doing all the prep work ahead of time, we save so many precious minutes on those busy weeknights when we go, go, go. If you are also in a season of busyness, I highly recommend jumping in feet first to the Freezer Meals 101 Club. You’ll be so glad you did next time fast food makes your stomach roll!

Try a few different soups if you want to give it a trial run. We suggest Hamburger Hoobie Soup or Roasted Carrot Soup.

Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb. hash browns, frozen, cubes
• 1 onion minced
• 1 1/2 cups carrots peeled and diced
• 3 Tbsp. butter
• salt pepper
• 2 bay leaf
• 1/4 tsp. thyme
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. chives
• 3 cups chicken broth

Ingredients for the Day of Cooking

• 1/3 cup flour 
• 1 cup water
• 3 strips bacon cooked and crumbed, optional
• shredded cheddar cheese, optional
• additional chives, optional

How to Make Baked Potato Soup

Assembly Instructions

1. Add all ingredients except flour, water, bacon, shredded cheese and extra chives to a large resealable freezer bag.
2. Remove excess air, seal and freeze.

Cooking Instructions

1. Thaw the bag in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Bring large bag contents to a simmer in a large stovetop pot.
3. Shake together flour and water and stir in.
4. Simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Run an immersion blender through it.
6. Top bowls with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and chopped chives.

Do I put the chicken broth in the bag?

You can. If you are worried about leaking, you can set the bag down in a bowl while it freezes and then as it thaws. We do recommend buying good freezer-quality bags for this reason.

You can also leave it out so that it’s a thinner bag and takes up less space in the freezer. Just be sure to write a note on the label reminding you to add the chicken broth on the day of cooking.

Can I use shredded hash browns?

Yes. The soup might have a slightly different texture, but if that is what you have, go for it.

Can I use fresh potatoes?

I would not. The frozen hash browns from the store are flash frozen so they do not turn brown or lose excess moisture. They will create a better finished product. If you want to make the soup from fresh and not from a freezer bag, then you can use fresh potatoes. But if you are filling your freezer for the future, frozen hash browns is the way to go.

Baked Potato Soup Recipe Ideas

There are so many ways you can change up this soup! Want a thinner soup? Add more chicken broth or water at the time of cooking. Is it a little too thin? Add more sour cream. It is best to adjust the thickness after you puree the soup.

If you’d like a stronger onion flavor, use a couple leeks in place of the onion, and make sure to use some of the green.

Use diced ham instead of bacon.

This soup does not have to be pureed, or if you like, you can puree it only partially and leave some chunkiness but not all.

Broccoli would make a nice addition to this soup.

You can make a cheesier potato soup by adding more cheese during the cooking process instead of just topping it with cheese at the end. A sharp cheddar imparts the most flavor for a cream soup.

Instead of chives, use chopped green onions or shallots.

How do I store Baked Potato Soup

Keep leftover soup in the refrigerator for up to three days and reheat it in a saucepan on the stovetop or in a microwaveable dish in the microwave. Stir before eating to avoid hot pockets that burn. The cooked soup can also be frozen for use later if you have too much.

What to Serve with Baked Potato Soup

A loaf of homemade bread or bakery bread from the grocery store is perfect. Biscuits or rolls also work. A green salad with a vinaigrette or a fruit salad are the perfect contrast. If you have a loaf of frozen garlic bread, that makes an excellent choice!