Simply Comforting Creamy Stuffed Potato Soup

Submitted by Rita1652

"Ready, Set, Cook! Special Edition Contest Entry: Snuggle up with Simply the best bowl of this creamy soup filled with goodness you would find in a stuffed potato. A creamy soup without added flour for a gluten free meal."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 24 ounces Simply Potatoes Traditional Mashed Potatoes, heated and divided 1n half
• 4 slices bacon
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig thyme
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1⁄3 cup onion, diced
• 1⁄4 cup celery, diced
• 1⁄4 carrot, diced
• 1⁄4 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cups chicken stock
• red pepper flakes, to taste
• fresh cracked black pepper
• salt, to taste
• 4 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 teaspoons green onions, sliced

directions

1. In a large pot brown the bacon till crisp.
2. Remove bacon and set aside to cool.
3. Discard all bacon fat but 1 tablespoon.
4. Add butter to the remaining bacon fat to melt.
5. In the bacon fat over medium heat saute the bay leaf, thyme spring, garlic, onion, celery, carrots, and peppers till translucent.
6. Add stock to the mirepoix and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Add pepper flakes to taste.
8. Remove and discard bay leaf and thyme spring.
9. Meanwhile crumble the bacon strips.
10. Whisk in 1/2 of the heated potatoes mix in well combined in the broth.
11. Taste and season with lots of black pepper and salt to taste.
12. Distribute the remaining 1/2 of heated potatoes into 4 bowls mounding in center.
13. Pour soup over mounds of potatoes and top with cheese, bacon crumbles and sprinkle with green onions.
14. Ahhh Nothing like a comforting bowl.