📖 Instructions

1. Prep the bacon: Cook bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Crumble the bacon once it's cool enough to handle. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot – this adds amazing flavor!
2. Sauté aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the reserved bacon grease. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Be carefull not to burn the garlic!
3. Add flour: Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to create a roux. This will help thicken the soup. Make sure to stir, stir, stir! What else could you be doing after all?
4. Add broth: Gradually whisk in chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option) until the roux is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Be careful to avoid lumps!
5. Add potatoes: Add peeled and cubed potatoes to the pot. Season with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of paprika. Bring to a simmer.
6. Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork. Remember that patience is key here!
7. Blend (optional): For a creamier soup, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup. Leave some chunks of potato for texture. Alternatively, you can transfer about 2 cups of the soup to a regular blender, blend until smooth, and then return it to the pot. Be careful when blending hot liquids! This is a very important step that you don't wanna skip
8. Add dairy: Stir in heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option) and shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted and the soup is heated through. Do not boil.
9. Adjust seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick. It's gonna be sooooo good!
10. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), chopped chives or green onions, and a sprinkle of paprika. Enjoy immediately!