O'Charley's Loaded Potato Soup

Andrea's Note:

A clone of O'Charley's delicious soup.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 3 lbs red potatoes
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup flour
• 8 cups half-and-half
• 1 (16 ounce) package Velveeta cheese , melted
• white pepper
• garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• ½ lb bacon , fried crisp
• 1 cup cheddar cheese , shredded
• ½ cup fresh chives , chopped
• ½ cup fresh parsley , chopped

Directions:

1. Dice unpeeled red potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes.
2. Place in large saucepan; cover with water and bring to a boil.
3. Let boil for 10 minutes or until 3/4 cooked.
4. In a separate pan, combine melted margarine and flour, mixing until smooth.
5. Place over low heat and gradually add half-and-half, stirring constantly.
6. Continue to stir until smooth and liquid begins to thicken.
7. Add melted Velveeta.
8. Stir well.
9. Drain potatoes and add to cream mixture.
10. Stir in pepper, garlic powder and hot pepper sauce.
11. Cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
12. Place soup into individual serving bowls and top with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, chives and parsley.

Reviews

[Jann Edwards]

I've made this several times. Everybody LOVED it!

[mandy rothering]

It isnt exactly the same as the restaurants, but it is close and very good!!!

[IamChefRosie]

The reason that this may not taste like O"Charley's Soup is because the recipe is not right. I worked there for 7 years and here is the exact recipe that we follow at the restaurant. You can adjust it to meet your needs.
15#'s of Fresh New Potatoes cut 3/8 x 3/8 x 1" skin on so wash them first
("Do not over cook them, they should be soft but firm , portion them in 5 pounds bags, and refrigerate them. Heat them in microwave until and then add to soup as you go. They will become mussy if you add them straight to the soup!.
8 gal Water ( 4 to use when boiling the potatoes) 4 gal to prepare the Cream soup base
4 Pk cream soup base
4 0z Chicken Base (weight)
2 #10 Cans cheese sauce
2 TBS white pepper
2 TBS Garlic Power
2 TBS Tabasco sauce
1/2 cp.. Jalapeño juice
Mix the cream soup base with the water, Bring to boil and reduce heat for 20 min.
After simmering add Chicken base, cheese sauce, white pepper, garlic powder, Tabasco sauce and Jalapeño juice.
Mix well simmer for 10 min.
This yields 6 gallons
Shelf life is 3 days, you can refrig and reheat in Microwave or stove top.

,