HEARTY BAKED POTATO SOUP

Hearty Baked Potato Soup image

I got this recipe from my aunt, a great cook. Topped with bacon, cheese and chives, this soup tastes just like a loaded baked potato! My husband and I love to hunker down with bowls of it on chilly nights. - Molly Seidel, Edgewood, NM

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner Lunch

Time 6h25m

Yield 10 servings (3-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 11

Previous Next

Ingredients

5 pounds baking potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 13 cups)
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup half-and-half cream
3 tablespoons minced fresh chives
Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, crumbled cooked bacon and minced chives

Steps:

Place first seven ingredients in a 6-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low until potatoes are very tender, 6-8 hours., Mash potatoes slightly to break up and thicken soup. Add 1 cup cheese, cream and chives; heat through, stirring until blended. Serve with toppings as desired. Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 310 calories, Fat 11g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 906mg sodium, Carbohydrate 43g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 9g protein.