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🥣 Loaded Baked Potato Soup
🌍 Cultural Introduction
Loaded baked potato soup is a beloved American comfort dish inspired by the classic steakhouse side: a fluffy baked potato topped with sour cream, cheese, bacon, and chives. This soup version transforms those flavors into a creamy, spoonable experience that’s hearty, nostalgic, and endlessly customizable. It’s a celebration of comfort food culture—warm, familiar, and perfect for sharing.
🍲 Yield and Cooking Time
Yield: 6 servings (about 16 oz each)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Whole30 Loaded Baked Potato Soup
🧂 Ingredients (Standard Measurements)
4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed and diced
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup full-fat coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk
½ cup nutritional yeast (for cheesy flavor)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Optional: ½ tsp smoked paprika
Optional: ½ cup cooked bacon crumbles (Whole30 compliant or omitted for plant-based)
Optional: ½ cup chopped chives or green onions
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Cooking Process
Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, heat oil. Add onion and garlic, cook until fragrant.
Add potatoes: Stir in diced potatoes and paprika. Cook for 5 minutes.
Simmer: Add broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until potatoes are soft.
Blend for creaminess: Use an immersion blender to partially purée the soup, leaving some chunks for texture.
Finish with richness: Stir in coconut milk and nutritional yeast. Simmer 5 more minutes.
Add toppings: Stir in bacon and chives if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
🥔 Nutritional Benefits
Potassium-rich from russet potatoes
Healthy fats from coconut milk
Fiber and antioxidants from garlic and onion
B vitamins from nutritional yeast
Optional protein from bacon or plant-based alternatives
🌶 Key Flavor Building Highlights
Sautéed onion and garlic create a savory base
Smoked paprika adds depth and warmth
Nutritional yeast mimics cheesy richness without dairy
Coconut milk brings creamy texture and subtle sweetness
🎉 Fun Facts About Ingredients
Potatoes were the first vegetable grown in space by NASA.
Nutritional yeast is affectionately called “nooch” by plant-based chefs.
Chives are one of the oldest known herbs, used in ancient Chinese medicine.
👐 Hands-On Techniques for Flavor
Mash or blend potatoes to control texture—great for sensory learning.
Toast nutritional yeast briefly for a deeper flavor.
Let kids sprinkle toppings like chives or bacon for interactive fun.
🇺🇸 American Nutritional Facts (Per 16 oz Serving)
Calories: ~380
Protein: 10g
Fat: 18g
Carbs: 40g
Fiber: 5g
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: ~700mg
💡 Pro Tips
Bake potatoes ahead for extra flavor before dicing.
Add a splash of lemon juice to brighten the richness.
Freeze leftovers in single-serve jars for easy reheating.
🔄 Ingredient Substitutions
Coconut milk → cashew cream or almond milk
Bacon → sautéed mushrooms or tempeh crumbles
Nutritional yeast → dairy-free cheese or miso paste
Russet potatoes → Yukon gold or sweet potatoes
🌿 Garnishes to Enhance the Soup
Chopped chives or green onions
Cracked black pepper
Crispy shallots
Toasted pumpkin seeds
Dollop of coconut yogurt or cashew sour cream
🍹 Beverage Pairing Suggestions
Sparkling water with lemon and thyme
Unsweetened iced herbal tea (chamomile or mint)
Bone broth sipper with turmeric
Warm apple cider (unsweetened)
🧘 Digestive Rituals
Sip slowly and pause between bites
Add a few drops of digestive bitters to your beverage
Enjoy a short walk or gentle stretch after your meal
🥄 Rituals for Mindful Eating
Invite kids to name the toppings they see and taste
Share a memory of a favorite comfort food
Take three deep breaths before your first spoonful
💧 Hydration Reminder
This soup counts toward your daily hydration! Each 16 oz serving offers fluid, electrolytes, and nourishing fats. Mark it on your Soup Angel Daily Hydration Tracker and celebrate your slurp!