Comforting Cream Cheese Potato Soup With Bacon or Ham

BecR's Note:

What a wonderful creamy and comforting potato soup! Garnish with additional snipped parsley and crumbled bacon or diced ham, as desired. Add a side salad and crusty baguette for a tasty lunch or light dinner. Perfect for a chilly autumn or winter's day...

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 6 cups organic chicken broth
• 6 cups peeled and cubed potatoes (russets)
• 1/3 cup white onion, finely chopped
• salt (optional, to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley
• 1 cup crumbled cooked bacon or 1 cup diced ham
• 12 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cut into chunks

Directions:

1. In a stockpot or Dutch oven, bring the broth to a boil over high heat.
2. Add diced potatoes and onions and return to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to a simmer, partially cover and cook 20-25 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
4. Using a potato masher, coarsely mash the potatoes in the pot (do not drain).
5. Add seasonings, parsley, crumbled cooked bacon or diced ham, and the chunks of cream cheese.
6. Cook and stir for a few minutes, until cheese is melted. Stir well to combine.
7. Serve soup hot with a side salad and a crusty baguette.

Reviews

[run for your life]

I think this may be the best potato soup I've ever made! I also used bacon and only 8 oz cream cheese and it was a perfect consistency. I also used green onion instead of white as that was all I had on hand but I think I would do it the same way next time. Thanks for a wonderful and easy recipe!

[*Parsley*]

Fabulous and easy! I used bacon in the soup as well as bacon and chopped scallions for garnish. I only used 8oz of cream cheese and I still had a rich, creamy soup without any heavy cream! This is sure to warm you up inside. Thanx!

[901390]

Delicious! I don't mash my potatoes at all, just leave them in small cubes. My entire family loves this! It's a little rich, but yummy. (We use bacon)