Cozy Paula Deen Potato Soup Recipe: Soul-Warming Comfort

Paula Deen’s potato soup reigns supreme as the ultimate comfort classic for hungry souls craving warmth and flavor.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this creamy masterpiece that transforms humble ingredients into pure culinary magic.

Robust potatoes mingle with silky cream, creating a luxurious texture that hugs your taste buds with remarkable intensity.

Smooth yet hearty, this soup whispers tales of family gatherings and cozy evenings around the dinner table.

Every spoonful carries layers of rich, comforting seasonings that elevate simple ingredients to extraordinary heights.

Perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying, this recipe promises to become your new favorite go-to meal that sparks joy and delights even the pickiest eaters.

Let this soul-warming soup transport you straight to comfort food heaven.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 8

Paula Deen’s Potato Soup Shopping List

• Bacon: Choose thick-cut, high-quality bacon for robust flavor and crispy texture.

• Onions, Flour: Select sweet yellow onions and all-purpose flour for smooth, rich base.

• Chicken Broth, Salt, Pepper: Opt for low-sodium chicken broth and freshly ground black pepper for deeper taste control.

• Potatoes: Pick starchy russet potatoes that break down easily and create creamy consistency.

• Heavy Cream: Select high-fat, fresh cream for luxurious, velvety mouthfeel.

• Green Onions, Cheddar Cheese: Use sharp cheddar and crisp green onion tops for bright, tangy contrast to rich soup.

Soup Tools to Keep Handy for Potato Soup

• Dutch oven: Large, heavy-bottomed pot perfect for even heat distribution and deep cooking.
• Paper towels: Helps drain excess bacon grease and keep crispy bacon pieces dry.
• Whisk: Essential for smoothly blending broth and creating a lump-free roux.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for chopping onions, potatoes, and green onions.
• Sharp knife: Precise tool for chopping ingredients into uniform pieces.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking cream and integrating it smoothly into the soup.
• Ladle: Great for serving hot soup into individual bowls with control and elegance.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately season the soup with salt and pepper.
• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring and preventing ingredients from sticking to the pot.

Simple Instructions for Creamy Potato Soup (Paula’s Way)

Craft Irresistible Bacon Potato Soup

• Sizzle Bacon Perfectly

Render chopped bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until golden and crispy. Transfer bacon to paper towels, reserving those flavor-packed drippings in the pot.

• Build Robust Flavor Foundation

Toss chopped onions into bacon drippings and sauté until translucent. Dust with flour, stirring energetically to create a rich roux that will elevate the soup’s depth and texture.

• Develop Hearty Soup Base

Pour chicken broth into the pot, whisking smoothly. Add diced potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Simmer gently for 25 minutes until potatoes soften and start breaking down, creating a rustic, comforting consistency.

• Introduce Luxurious Creaminess

Blend heavy cream with a splash of hot soup liquid, then fold back into the pot. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, transforming it into a velvety masterpiece.

• Serve with Flair

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Crown each serving with crispy bacon bits, sharp cheddar cheese, and fresh green onion slices. Dive into a bowl of pure comfort that warms both body and soul.

Ways to Add Spice or Bacon to Paula’s Potato Soup

Discover delightful ways to make this potato soup uniquely yours.

Experiment with Yukon gold, red potatoes, or russet varieties for different textures and flavors. Each type brings its own magical touch to the soup’s personality.

Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken, diced ham, or crumbled sausage for a heartier meal. These protein additions transform the soup from simple to spectacular in minutes.

Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lighter, plant-based version. Vegans can use vegetable broth and skip the bacon for a completely animal-product-free experience.

Sprinkle in cayenne pepper, add diced jalapeños, or drizzle hot sauce for those craving an extra kick. These fiery additions will awaken your taste buds and bring exciting warmth to every spoonful.

Delicious Pairings with Paula’s Potato Soup

• Garnish with Crispy Companions: Top each bowl with extra crispy bacon bits for a delightful crunch that adds textural excitement to every spoonful.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle generous amounts of sharp cheddar cheese that melts beautifully into the creamy soup, creating pockets of gooey deliciousness.
• Fresh Green Finish: Scatter thinly sliced green onions over the top to introduce a bright, fresh note that cuts through the rich, creamy base and adds a pop of color.
• Pair with Warm Sidekicks: Serve alongside crusty bread or buttery dinner rolls to soak up every last drop of this comforting potato soup masterpiece.

Save, Store, and Enjoy Potato Soup Later

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Batch Prep for Busy Weeks: Whip up a large pot of potato soup and divide into portion-sized containers for easy grab-and-go meals throughout the week. Refrigerated soup stays fresh for 3-4 days when stored in airtight containers.
• Freezer-Friendly Comfort: Cool the soup completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months, leaving a bit of space at the top for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm soup slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of extra chicken broth or cream to restore the original creamy consistency if the soup becomes too thick.
• Topping Preservation Hack: Store crispy bacon bits, cheese, and green onions separately in sealed containers. Add fresh toppings just before serving to maintain their crunch and vibrant flavors.

Hearty Paula Deen Potato Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Paula Deen potato soup delivers creamy comfort with rich, indulgent flavors. Bacon crumbles and cheese elevate this classic southern recipe that you’ll savor down to the last warming spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 4 lbs (1.8 kg) russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 64 fl oz (1.9 L) chicken broth
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• Sliced green onion (for garnish)
• Shredded cheddar cheese (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Bacon Preparation: Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp and golden. Remove bacon pieces, reserving the drippings in the pot.
2. Aromatics Development: Sauté chopped onions in bacon fat until translucent and soft, creating a flavor foundation for the soup.
3. Roux Formation: Dust flour over the onions, stirring continuously to develop a smooth base that will naturally thicken the soup’s consistency and enhance its depth.
4. Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth into the pot, whisking to create a uniform mixture. Add diced potatoes and bring to a vigorous boil, allowing the potatoes to begin breaking down and releasing their starchy essence.
5. Simmering Process: Reduce heat and let the soup gently simmer, allowing potatoes to become ultra-tender and partially dissolve, creating a naturally creamy texture without additional mashing.
6. Cream Infusion: Temper heavy cream by slowly incorporating hot soup liquid, then carefully fold the cream mixture back into the pot, stirring gently to prevent separation and ensure a luxurious, silky finish.
7. Final Presentation: Ladle the rich, velvety soup into serving bowls, crowning with crispy bacon fragments, delicate green onion slivers, and a lavish sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese for a complete flavor profile.

Notes

• Bacon Rendering Tip: Cook bacon slowly to extract maximum flavor and create a crispy texture without burning, which forms the foundational taste for the entire soup.
• Roux Technique: Stirring flour consistently prevents clumping and ensures a smooth base, critical for achieving the soup’s creamy thickness without lumps.
• Cream Tempering Strategy: Gradually mixing hot soup with cream prevents curdling, maintaining a silky and luxurious soup texture by carefully balancing temperatures.
• Potato Cooking Insight: Allow some potatoes to break down naturally during simmering, which creates a naturally thick and rich soup consistency without additional thickeners.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg